In the 2015-16 school year I will be a Sophomore. My school has already begun their enrollment process. Therefore before I submit my forms I would like to ask a serious of questions about my upcoming schedule. I plan to take many classes, but I know that many colleges recommends four years of a foreign language. The problem is, I don’t currently have room in my schedule to allow for Spanish 2. The good thing is that I am proficient in Spanish one and I know that through my determination I will be able to study the course load of Spanish two over the summer. Thus, I will be able to transition from Spanish one immediately to Spanish 3. The problem is that my High school only has Spanish 1-4. Will colleges be disappointed that I took only three years of Spanish, even though I tested out of a level? Will colleges recognize that I took four years of Spanish if I take them online, even when my school will not give them credit?
The second question I have is whether or not colleges requires students to take European History. On ULCA’s website they recommend three years of American history, European history, and one additional advanced history course, however, my school does not offer European History. Will this prove to be a disadvantage during the enrollment process, and what can I do to make up for the lack of European History?
Another question I have is if I test out of World History, and it shows on my transcript that I have tested out, will I be penalized for not having taken the course? The reason for this is that our school requires that we take Physical Education. Will colleges understand that I must take Physical Education.
I understand that colleges requires a rigorous course load, but my school requires that all students take classes like Physical Science and Civics & Geography. Will colleges feel like these classes are less rigorous than other classes?
My final question is whether colleges will be disappointed that I do not continue to pursue my school’s student council? In my school, the student council is an additional course. The problem with that is that it takes up time and will not allow me to explore my other interests, so will not continuing student council make me look like I’m not committed to student council?
Okay, so:
1 - You can take online Spanish classes (esp: 2 & 3) through many online websites. It should show up on your HS Transcript if you talk to your guidance department. If you do 2 over the summer, 3 next year, 4 your junior year, then either your Junior or Senior year you could take AP Spanish. You could also take an SAT II in Spanish. If you are really good at it, then its a chance to showcase your qualities and test out of the class in college.
2 - Any classes that you want to take online you can. BYU offers tons of online classes. Colleges will see what your school offers. Since you'll be a sophomore next year, if I were you I would follow this schedule:
Take a few AP Histories online. I’ve heard APUSH is the worst but it’s a breeze if you like history. You could take AP Geography, AP World History, etc. Possibilities of endless. Just be proactive about the situation if you can. Discuss it with your parents and guidance department.