So it’s that time of year again when everyone is registering for their next classes. I was wondering how much an impact the scores you get on your Senior year AP exams have on your prospective college since scores come out in July.
This being said, I am debating whether or not I should take AP Spanish Language.
Some background: I have been taking Spanish since 6th grade and have excelled until this year. My teacher got fired so we never got a replacement. I feel as if my Spanish skills are wearing down and because of this, don’t think I am suited for AP Span Lang. Buttttt I also have heard that 4 years in HS is recommended for a language soo.
Any advice? Should I start a new language? I have always wanted to take French btw.
“Four years of a language” don’t need to be only in HS. It’s one area (along with Math) where Middle School courses count. If you’re reached Spanish 4/ had 4 real years of Spanish, you’re set.
And fwiw, a combined X years in multiple languages tends to not be looked at quite as well as X years in one language. Depth and commitment are important.
Depends upon the college. As a senior, one would know the college attending once AP exams roll around. If the college does not give credit, there is little reason to take. Of course if one transfers later, one may want the credits.
Probably not. One year of HS French won’t gain you much, and may not even get placement into 2nd semester college French (or it may). But if you’ve achieved level 4 Spanish, you don’t need more Spanish for college admissions. And when colleges ask for X years of a foreign language, they mean X years (or completing level X) of the same foreign language
If a college doesn’t offer college credit, then “For college credit?” is not a meaningful question.
If you want to get college credit (“For college credit?”), AP exams are immensely important, unless I’ve missed a large number of schools that give credit just for passing the class. Some offer placement testing, but if you took the class, I’d still say the AP test is your best path to college credit.
@RichinPitt , some colleges do not give credit towards graduation for AP classes/high AP scores. Therefore, @skieurope 's comment is highly relevant: whether AP exams matter for the purposes of college credit depends on what colleges the student is applying to.
AP Credits are used to get college credit, but not for college admissions.
Doing well in a class shows you can learn over the year and work hard over a period of time. That is what they want in college.
Not all HS have many APs.
Many people take AP tests senior year which is too late for admissions
For example, Stanford says:
Students currently enrolled in AP courses are not required to submit AP scores as part of our admission process. AP scores that are reported are acknowledged but rarely play a significant role in the evaluation of an application. Grades earned over the course of a term, or a year, and evaluations from instructors who can comment on classroom engagement provide us with the most detailed insight into a student’s readiness for the academic rigors of Stanford. http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/prepare.html
Let me state clearly: we do not admit students solely because of their AP courses/scores. There is no minimum or recommended number of AP courses. AP scores are not part of an admission formula… What we are saying is that, despite what you may have heard, college admissions isn’t a game of whoever has the most APs, wins. https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/on_aps_1/
@skieurope Since the College Board changed their policies and requires registration for AP Exams much earlier in the year, seniors will have to decide whether to take the exam before they even submitted college applications (I am currently experiencing this) or face a heavy late fee.
But regardless, if you reached level 4 in a language, you are not expected or required to take AP. Many colleges will let you place out of their language requirement by 3-4 years of language in high school. For the rest of your AP exams, though, it’s important to study and make sure you get the credit (if you can), but a college isn’t going to rescind an acceptance because you got a 1 on an AP Exam.