<p>How many years of a foreign language do colleges prefer?</p>
<p>Last year when I started high school, I skipped to Chinese 2 because I'm already fluent in Chinese [from 12+ years of Chinese school] and this year I skipped to Chinese 4. However, most of the students in my class are seniors, meaning it's possible that there won't be an AP Chinese next year or a Chinese 5 class. So, assuming there won't be one, I was wondering whether or not I should choose a new language or just not take a language next year.. since my counselor told me that colleges like consistency with languages.
I'm aiming for more competitive colleges [NYU, Cornell, possibly Dartmouth, etc.]</p>
<p>Any help is appreciated!</p>
<p>If your counselor told you that colleges like consistency, and yet your school might not offer the final level of the language, then you should probably ask him/her what you should do, as s/he would know best what to suggest. </p>
<p>My suggestion to you, as a foreign language teacher, would be to stick with the language if possible. Perhaps you could take the AP course as an independent study with the current teacher, and take the AP exam in May. That way you would be showing good initiative in continuing and good interest in the language. If the teacher will still be in the school, then my guess would be that this might be an option.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback.
I've been considering asking about independent study as well. How exactly does 'independent study' work? Do I go to the teacher for a full class?</p>
<p>Each school has its own way of dealing with independent study. It would be unlikely that you would be allowed to occupy a teacher for a full class period every single day. Probably you and the teacher would have to work out a schedule when you would meet once or more each week to discuss your progress. You would be expected to put in extensive work on your own.</p>