How important is 4 years of a foreign language at top schools?

Applying to College
1

<p>I can't fit Spanish into my schedule this year but I can take it online (it'll be such a drag to take it online though, it takes all of the fun out of it plus it'll be harder).</p>

<p>Does 3 years of a foreign language look bad to top ~20 colleges compared to 4?
If it looks bad to not have 4 years I suppose I can deal with taking Spanish online.</p>

<p>I actually enjoy learning the language, don't get me wrong. I took a heavy load in social studies this year so I had to compromise in some area -- it ended up being in the languages department.</p>

2

<p>Unless your major will include language in college, I don’t think it matters at all. I do think they want to see three years, though.</p>

3

<p>I think they prefer to see 4 years of a language. Many colleges also will require you to take a foreign language in college unless you pass a proficiency exam, so it may be to your advantage to continue Spanish now.</p>

4

<p>Don’t bother with the extra year of Spanish. As long as your course load is rigorous and you aren’t a Spanish major, it doesn’t matter. Just make sure you have a consistent story (ie, if you are a future engineer, don’t give up math or physics, if you are a future artist, you should be taking art classes). </p>

<p>I would suggest that you take the SAT II in Spanish-if you get a high enough score, you may be able to opt out of any language requirement at your future school.</p>

5

<p>Top 20 schools expect to see 4 years in all five academic cores. That includes foreign language. However, in your case all you really need to do is have your guidance counselor indicate that you were unable to fit the fourth year into your schedule. That is, as long as you didn’t substitute Spanish with a study hall or some other non-academic subject that doesn’t relate to your intended major.</p>

6

<p>I’ll basically be taking 11th grade Spanish in 12th grade because I can’t take it now.</p>

<p>My excuse – I filled up my 11th grade course schedule with high level mathematics and social studies courses… and I’m going to be an economics major (I’m the only junior taking AP Microeconomics in my school). My course load is most rigorous.</p>

<p>So should I bother to take this online Spanish or not? If it won’t hurt my app. then I’d rather not do it.</p>