How important is 3 years of consecutive a foreign language to college?

Applying to College
1

<p>Correct title* How important is 3 consecutive years of a foreign language to college?</p>

<p>OK so my son is going into his Junior years in HS. Now he has Spanish 1 & 2 under his belt. He doesn't want to take Spanish 3, he doesn't really like foreign languages and apparently the teacher is not very friendly. Moreover, it throws off his schedule, if he were to take it.</p>

<p>Here is his planned schedule for next year:
U.S. History 2 AP
Bio 2 AP (which requires 2 periods because there are two labs a week, so he has to take a study which he has 3 days a week)
Government and Politics AP
Algebra 2
Gym
English 11A</p>

<p>He is a political science/ government major for college. His ultimate goal is Georgetown U. It says required 2 years of a foreign language. Spanish 3 does not fit on the schedule, he would have to drop something in order to take it.</p>

<p>So my main question is one does it HAVE TO BE consecutive? He is willing to take Spanish 3 Senior year if he has too.</p>

<p>If it does have to be consecutive, then are colleges that concerned about it? Is he going to get turned down over not having Spanish 3? Considering his chosen specialization and the classes that he takes.</p>

<p>He is very concerned and is not sure what to do. Help?</p>

2

<p>Not being consecutive is not a problem.</p>

3

<p>But skipping a year, and then resuming language studies is almost never wise. The 1 year gap frequently means that remedial work is necessary to make up for what was forgotten, and high schools are not set up to deal with that. So your son may need to make a significant effort the summer before senior year to prepare for Spanish 3.</p>

4

<p>Note that Georgetown has a foreign language graduation requirement:</p>

<p>[Georgetown</a> University Undergraduate Bulletin 2011-2012: Georgetown College](<a href=“http://bulletin.georgetown.edu/collegegen.html#general]Georgetown”>http://bulletin.georgetown.edu/collegegen.html#general)</p>

<p>Completing the requirement involves four semesters of 3 credit courses, or two semesters of intensive 6 credit courses. Completion of more Spanish in high school may allow for placement into a more advanced Spanish course, allowing him to take fewer Spanish courses in college.</p>

<p>[Spanish</a> - Georgetown College](<a href=“http://college.georgetown.edu/persona/current/52626.html]Spanish”>http://college.georgetown.edu/persona/current/52626.html)</p>

<p>Spanish language proficiency will be useful for a government or political science major in some contexts of domestic politics, or international relations involving Spanish speaking countries.</p>