I am currently a high school sophomore in the wake of course selection for next year. Currently, I am a Spanish 3 student, and I have two options for next year: honors Spanish or AP Spanish. So, talking to some of my fellow upperclassmen, the take is that AP Spanish is somewhat easier than honors Spanish; however, if you do honors then AP Spanish, ap Spanish is a cakewalk. Personally, I excelled in Spanish 3, but looking to the future, that four full years of high school Spanish looks hot on the yee old resume. However, if I skip to AP Spanish next year, I have room senior year to do some fun things. So, what do you guys recommend?
Since you are in level 3 now, whichever next level of Spanish you take will be level 4. So if you are prepared to take the higher level course next year, you can do so, have level 4 to show to colleges (and maybe an AP score), and have free elective space senior year.
Not by any stretch of the imagination. While not a path the majority follows, it is not unique. In terms of colleges evaluating coursework, AP Spanish and Spanish IV are the same level (4th year HS Spanish) regardless of how the HS structures the sequence. They will, however, regard AP Spanish as more rigorous even if it is not the case at your school.
You probably won’t go wrong with any decision you make.