Easier class vs. hard class dispute!!

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a very strong student. I've never not made an A in a class (well, I made a C in Freshman year, but that was in PE). But all my core classes have always been A's; that includes Spanish, which I have been taking. I'm not a native Spanish speaker, but it seems to come naturally to me. Because of this, I am in Spanish 4 as a Sophomore when most Sophomores take Spanish 2 and, if they are advanced, Spanish 3.</p>

<p>What I'm asking is:</p>

<p>Is it better that I make a 95-100 in regular Spanish 3 (as it would be a breeze for me, and it would technically still be advanced).</p>

<p>OR</p>

<p>Be in Spanish 4, a super advanced class for 10th graders, but make a 85-90 at the most. Our school is on IB curriculum, and next year I'm taking all IB classes. However, Spanish 4 is an IB class... so I'm taking an IB class a year sooner than everyone else. Essentially, I would finish my final year of Spanish a year sooner than my pre-IB, class of 2015 classmates.</p>

<p>I really want to be an Ivy League student (I know, I know, keep dreaming). Sorry about how badly this was written- I don't feel very well and I have a lot of stuff to do. But I thought I'd throw this question out there for your discretion and (hopefully) answers!</p>

2

<p>If you can get an A in Spanish 4 take it.
If you can’t take Spanish 3.</p>

3

<p>If you take Spanish 3 this year will you take Spanish 4 next year?</p>

<p>In other words, is Spanish 4 an honors class, or is it just that you can take it a year early. If it’s the same class, I don’t ‘think’ that there’s any advantage to you taking it a year early. However, it’s also a discussion to have with your GC and the Spanish Teacher.</p>

4

<p>One thing to think about: When my S2’s college merit scholarship package was computed, the college based merit amounts on GPA and SAT/ACT scores. There was a merit award calculator that used the GPA and test scores to determine whether you were given a chancellor’s award, dean’s award, etc. Consideration was not given as to whether the classes taken were harder, i.e. AP vs regular Spanish in my S2’s case. The difference between a 3.8 GPA and a 4.0 GPA amounted to thousands of dollars in tuition. Many colleges do this.</p>