<p>I was browsing the Collegeboard College search and most schools on it say it requires 4 years of a foreign language (Harvard, Princeton, Johns Hopkins) but I only have 2. Is this a requirement because I never found those on the school's website. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I believe it is recommended. It's okay if you don't have them, but it is preferred.</p>
<p>Here's what H says:</p>
<p>Harvard</a> College Admissions Office: Prospective Students</p>
<p>While it not a requirement, having only 2 years of a fl will put you behind what most competitive applicants will have.</p>
<p>thanks, should i add why i was unable to do more years (scheduling conflicts with english which i need 4 years of to graduate along with math and science) would that make it seem a little better?</p>
<p>^
Yes, you should.</p>
<p>YOU shouldn't, but your GC should. </p>
<p>Truthfully, since most students take 4 years of fl, many take 5 (AP) and some even go on to a second language, it seems a stretch that you couldn't fit in the basic academic requirements into your 4 years in HS.</p>
<p>what if you only have 2 yrs of fl class, and one is honors and another is AP lvl. is that equivalent to having 4 yrs of fl class?</p>
<p>
[quote]
what if you only have 2 yrs of fl class, and one is honors and another is AP lvl. is that equivalent to having 4 yrs of fl class?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It depends on how you do on the AP tests I think.... also if it's an official AP class or an "AP level" class. </p>
<p>I'm actually doing SPA 111, SPA 112, SPA 211, and SPA 212 while skipping all 4 labs this year with a local college... so far I have a 100%. :) I'm sure colleges will think I've lost my mind. Oh, and I'm taking the AP Spanish language test.</p>
<p>If you only have two years but your level of proficiency is roughly equal to most students' after 4 years, then you should be okay. Also, if you're bilingual or learned English as a second language there's more leniency.</p>
<p>Okay so let's say that I'm taking AP Spanish Language as a junior, but because I effing hate spanish with the white hot burning intensity of a thousand suns, I'm planning on dropping all language altogether for my senior year. The option for AP Spanish Civilization/Literature is available to seniors but I would absolutely die if I took that. I would of course take another English/Humanities/Math/Science course that I would actually enjoy.</p>
<p>Does it seem like slacking if I don't take a fourth year of language even when I've already passed the AP level? As previously stated, I would take a different AP in place of AP Spanish Lit.</p>
<p>Note- This is in reference to Ivy-caliber schools.</p>
<p>Lockheart -</p>
<p>Take the classes you want. After AP Spanish Language, no one is going to hold it against you if you don't do 4 years of Spanish in HS. Good language instruction, and good language learning environments are almost painless. For you to have this response to Spanish tells me that you haven't been in a good learning environment and it is time for you to get out of it.</p>
<p>There are lots of other ways to fill up your school year. If anyone asks "Why no more Spanish?" You can sigh tragically and just say, "Schedule conflict."</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>Lockheart,
Absolutely no need for more FL once you've completed the AP level, even for top schools.</p>
<p>I did one year of chinese 4 and one year of independant study with a 5 on the AP</p>
<p>hope nobody minds...</p>
<p>^
Nope, but colleges look down on native speakers just "opting" out of taking an FL.</p>
<p>you don't have to tell colleges what race you are though, do you?</p>
<p>
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you don't have to tell colleges what race you are though, do you?
[/quote]
Let's see... you started Chinese at level 4 and and did an independent study of AP Chinese... your last name is something like Lee, Kim, or Yang :) Colleges are obviously going to go "This student must have just really loved Chinese and self-studied by himself."</p>
<p>oh. didn't think of that <em>insert innocent smile here</em></p>