<p>My friend today at school told me that Harvard requires 4 years of foreign language from high school students? Is this true? Because, honestly, why would they put a thing like that on their website? Wont it not allow people to pursue their passions?</p>
<p>Here is my situation.</p>
<p>I took French I in middle school, French II in 9th grade and French III in 10th grade (and did very well). However, I want to go into science/math in college. As a result, I dropped it in order to be able to take AP Chem, AP Physics B and C, AP Bio, Stats, Calc BC, and Multi Calc all by the end of high school.</p>
<p>Now that I am thinking about it, will by decision to do this adversely affect my chances? I hope it doesnt because I really like science way more than foreign language</p>
<p>Also, do you guys consider me of having only taken 2 or 3 years of French? Do most schools (including Harvard) take into account your middle school credit (if that credit is for a high school class)?</p>
<p>Harvard offers you a liberal arts education, and a foreign language is part of that. If you don't speak a foreign language when you come, they will make you take 1 year of a foreign language.</p>
<p>No, Harvard does not require that you take 4 years of a language. However, they recommend that you do. So, it might hurt your chances a little bit, but if you are not accepted, I can assure you that it was not solely because of not having 4 yrs. of a language. Present yourself as best as possible on your application and hope for the best.</p>
<p>I took French 1 and French 2 in middle school, then after French 3 as a freshman I wanted to drop it. But my counselor scared me into taking another year saying that colleges like Harvard secretly had 4 years as a requirement. Then, after French 4, she still didn't want me to drop it because she said that the two years in middle school didn't count?! I was like, whatever, I've done four years, and no more. </p>
<p>I think that even if you've only taken 3 years of a foreign language, if you have gotten good grades the whole time then it should not make a difference. especially if you dropped it in favor of AP classes</p>
<p>honestly, I wouldn't worry about it at all at this point</p>
<p>There's a subtext here. Harvard would like to see commitment to mastery of a foreign language, and in most U.S. high schools that means four years of study. Obviously, it's not an absolute requirement for admission, but it's also not just some technical thing where you get your ticket punched. </p>
<p>I would add that, given the horrendous nature of U.S. foreign language instruction, I understand completely why people want to stop after ____ III, but I think that's a mistake, because usually you don't get to the good part of a language until level IV and beyond. I also think it's a mistake for aspiring scientists to drop their language, especially if they want to go to Harvard. There are lots more aspiring scientists than there are aspiring scientists who really commit to engaging with other cultures, and the latter are highly valued.</p>
<p>and do you guys know if colleges like harvard or stanford consider me of having taken 2 or 3 years of a foreign language?</p>
<p>Is it the level that counts or the years in HS?</p>
<p>because there are some schools that require 3 years (actually requires not strongly recommends)...which means i would be kinda screwed for those schools?</p>
<p>No one can tell you if you'll be expected. I took 3 years of French and dropped it in favor of other AP's. I got in to Harvard and rejected at Yale and Stanford. Did language play a role in that, most likely not.</p>
<p>Look, I can only speak for Harvard, but I'll say this. There probably isn't an official policy about middle school vs. high school. I would assume that high school is by far more desirable. That said, if you think you have something to offer Harvard, apply anyway. If the Ad committee feels that you have something to offer, they aren't going to reject you because of when you took your language classes. They just want to see that you're dedicated to academics and that you made the best possible use of your opportunities.</p>
<p>They will see on your transcript that you went up to level three, so they should count it as three years (at a Princeton info session last year, a rep told me that's all that mattered - hopefully other schools are practical about it too)</p>