Hey!
So my high school has a prerequesite that students can take a foreign language for only 2 years and then they have that one spot open for electives. However, I read that many colleges require and want students to take a foreign language for all four years in high school. How much does this matter, and should I take a summer foreign language course to make up for this?
More selective colleges commonly want to see level 3 completed, and some of the most selective colleges want to see level 4 completed (or whatever is equivalent if you take college foreign language courses instead).
You need to check colleges that you may be interested in for their requirements and recommendations.
Also be aware that colleges may have foreign language graduation requirements. The higher level you get to in high school, the fewer courses you may need to complete the college’s foreign language graduation requirements (because you would be able to start in a higher level college foreign language course).
Does your school offer the 3rd year or 4th year level of foreign languages?
You should ask your advisor, but my guess is that after you’ve fulfilled the 2nd year, anything you take above that would fall into the category of “electives.”
In case they don’t offer higher level foreign languages, it should be fine to take them elsewhere. My daughter can do two years of Latin at her school. She plans to finish the 3rd year through an accredited online school.
They do offer it so I can take one during the summer and sign up as an elective next year
If you aren’t permitted to take a third year of a language, I think this would be similar to AP offerings - you aren’t expected to take what your school doesn’t offer.
If this is the case, be sure it’s on the school profile, or ask your counselor to note it.
EDIT: If they offer it, then yes, it would be advantageous to take a third year for schools that require or recommend a third year. I’m not aware of a school that requires four years, but for any that recommend it, you would need to weight this against your other options, if applying to that school.
We are in FL and only 2 years of foreign language is offered at the school. My son had to take his 3rd year online via Florida virtual school.