<p>What I’m wondering specifically is if I absolutely NEED to take a language senior year in order to get into Brown… I’ve taken Chinese since 7th grade (I’m currently a junior) and next year I would really like to drop it in favor of taking another AP science (Environmental). On top of my already hectic schedule next year (BC Calc, AP Bio, AP Gov, AP English and AP Studio Art) I don’t have to option of taking both Chinese and Enviro. I am really not enjoying Chinese, and would rather take Enviro but my counselor says she doesn’t think Brown will admit me if I drop my language.
HELP
If i want to get into Brown, specifically Brown’s PLME program, do I need a science?</p>
<p>All you “need” is two years, but you can probably cut it with three.</p>
<p>A humorous language-related Brown story:</p>
<p>Brown is largely considered the laughing stock of the Ivies. To reinforce this label, the school once admitted a girl who was a declared Spanish major. She took the intermediate classes, but failed her first advanced class. She switched her major to French - passed intermediate, failed advanced. She then declared German - passed intermediate, failed advanced. After four years she graduated with a “self-designed” major in what? Intermediate European Languages.</p>
<p>The overall impression I get is that Brown cares very little about the study of foreign languages.</p>
<p>^ LOL ^
10char</p>
<p>Most selective colleges strongly recommend that you take 4 years of one foreign language. The gist of the recommendation is that they like to see you acquire a reasonable level of fluency in the language, and to begin to go beyond learning the language, and become acquainted with the cultures that use the language, and the literature written in the language. Do a search on this board and you will see this discussed with some frequency.</p>
<p>The requirement is not to spend 4 years in high school learning the language, but rather to get to the equivalent of level 4 (numbering assumes 1 year per level) or higher. You can achieve this through placement from previous language study (in middle school, through immersion programs, as a native, etc.). If you choose not to continue through level 4, you may want to take the SAT II in the language, or the advanced placement test in the language to prove your skills at level 4 or higher.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll find many exceptions to the recommendation. And no doubt there are applicants to Brown who get in with less than level 4 (or higher) proficiency.</p>
<p>well that story just made my hopes go up for getting into brown :p</p>
<p>Honestly I would do what you want. If you want to take AP Environmental Science, then do it. All the Ivies are a crapshoot anyway… I never really understood while people bother trying to make themselves look “good” for Ivies. The schools are so ridiculously selective that it really doesn’t matter.
So don’t take a class that’s going to make you miserable! =)</p>
<p>What do you think my chances are at Brown?</p>
<p>Brazilian High School Junior in Connecticut
Ranked in the top 3% of my class with a weighted 4.34 on a 4.5 scale
2150 SAT score : 660 CR, 720 Math, 770 Writing
Taken all honors and AP classes including AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and AP Spanish VI
Perfect Attendance</p>
<p>ECs:
Cross Country: ran for 4 years, 3 of which varsity (Nationally competing team/athlete)
Indoor Track: ran for 4 years, 4 of which varsity (State-level competing)
Outdoor Track: ran for 4 years, 4 of which varsity (State-level competing)
Loads of volunteering at road races and with helping younger runners (200+ hours)
Project Clear: local lake clean-up and research (60+ hours)
Numerous other volunteering activities including coat drives, local city clean up days, and march of dimes
Concert Band: 7 years of trumpet
Tae-Kwon-Doe: 5 years and second degree black belt recognition
Boy Scout: 8 years, up until 8th grade
Peer Leader
National Honor Society Member</p>
<p>^Make your own thread.</p>
<p>I lol’ed at that language story. So great.</p>
<p>First: don’t take certain classes just to get into a particular college. There’s no guarantee. </p>
<p>Second: you are taking a science next year: AP Bio. </p>
<p>And finally: AP Environment isn’t known to be such a great class. Most kids take it at our HS as a “joke”. Take Chinese, much better.</p>
<p>Considering how important Environmental Sciences will be in the near future? I don’t think a basic understanding is a complete waste. I know someone who just took out a multi-million dollar loan with some business partners for a solar energy company- spending about ten minutes talking to this man and hearing about how many PhD’s are working on this project…</p>
<p>Probably worth it, if you already know chinese.</p>
<p>pocketofsmiles: my understanding is that colleges view AP Environmental Sciences as kind of a light weight AP. Also, top level schools in general really want to see 4 years of a foreign language, and Chinese is a particularly impressive (and USEFUL one). That being said, I’m pretty much a hypocrite for telling you to stick with it, since I dropped Chinese after 10th grade in favor of Economics (but I was also taking French so I still fulfilled the language requirement for 4 years).</p>
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<p>Your guidance counselor probably knows what they are talking about. That said I agree with zazzle, even if you take another year of Chinese you still might not get into Brown. It isn’t worth it, take the class you want and get interested in some other schools.</p>