Foreign Language Requirements in High School

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So here is the dilemma. Throughout my high school career, I have done pretty poorly in spanish classes. My grades have usually been B's or B+'s but have reached an all time low of B- last marking period. Also, I take regular Spanish, so those grades really hurt my gpa. However, I get straight A's in all my other subjects which are all either AP or Honors level. My GPA could be a lot higher if I simply dropped a foreign language and added AP chemistry or AP statistics.</p>

<p>However, I was wondering how much this would hurt my chances to get into a top ranked college. I am interested in computer science, and from my understanding most engineering schools such as Harvey Mudd, Carnegie Mellon etc. only require 2 years of f. language (i'm on my second year of foreign language as a sophomore). Should I drop the language for junior year?</p>

<p>I understand that it will hurt my chances at being a competitive applicant at some major Universities, but I am hoping the rigor of my other classes and the classes I audit at Universities near by may make up for it.</p>

<p>Thanks :D</p>

2

<p>Top colleges want 3 years, but they prefer 4.</p>

3

<p>Do they want 3 years of a continuous language?</p>

<p>For instance, could I possibly take French 1 or Italian 1 next year?</p>

4

<p>Continuous. They want to see dedication and a “mastery” of at least one language.</p>

<p>Taking introductory German one year, then intro French the other, and intro Latin for the last does you no good. Except now you know how to say “hi” in German, French, and Latin.</p>

5

<p>I think top colleges want you to have 4 years of cont. FL.</p>