<p>When a college states that 2 years is the minimum requirement for admission consideration, do they really mean 2 years, or do they want to see 4 years? My child wants to take AP Psychology next year and AP Chemistry (as a Senior) in place of his foreign language. His schedule would look like this as a Junior:</p>
<p>Honors English
AP US History
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics
AP Psychology
PE</p>
<p>As a Senior:</p>
<p>AP English
AP Economics
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
PE</p>
<p>He really wants to take the extra Science class and Psychology class. His ECs are: Science Olympiad, and Varsity Swimming. He also volunteers 4 hours a week at a hospital.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>This is a question that has been asked before and there is no clear answer as it can vary by the colleges that you are applying to. The key is not just what their “minimum requirement” is (or what their “recommended” amount is), but also how many years of foreign language the other applicants have achieved. Taking five AP classes his senior year, on a personal note, is not recommended because the college application process (in terms of time commitments) is similar to an AP class. So the work load he would have in senior year could negatively impact his grades – and you don’t want senior year grades to fall off.</p>
<p>If your son is applying specifically to science/engineering schools, then maybe taking two AP science classes senior year would be OK. But otherwise, I would remove one of those and replace it with a foreign language. If not, then I would not take AP Psychology and instead replace that with the foreign language. OR take AP Physics and one of the other AP sciences JUNIOR year – and then take 4 APs senior year with one foreign language.</p>
<p>If a college says 2 years, they mean 2 years (or level 2 of the language). Don’t read too much into it. If the college requires/suggests 3-4 years, 2 years puts the applicant at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>That said, many colleges have a foreign language requirement to graduate, which can be placed out of with advanced study in HS.</p>
<p>I will add that my child is planning on majoring in Science and then attending medical school.</p>
<p>what’s the highest level he achieved (not years, level, eg french 3)? If he reached level 3, he should be fine to drop it.</p>
<p>He is currently enrolled in Honors French 2.</p>
<p>Most colleges require or recommend 3 years. I would have him stick it out for one more year, but he can definitely drop senior year.</p>
<p>
In which case, be aware that many med schools will not accept AP credits in science as part of their prerequisites, which means that your son will either retake the intro class in college or take another year of advanced classes in that subject.</p>
<p>Would you recommend he stay in the Honors program, or is regular French acceptable?</p>
<p>Thank you, yes he is aware, but he feels the AP classes will better prepare him for the rigor of college, even if he is retaking or taking additional courses.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link billcsho.</p>