<p>Does it hurt your chance of getting accepted into Harvard or another Ivy League school if you take regular/accelerated spanish instead of high honors/AP? I'm taking either AP or the most difficult classes at a very competitive high school in every subject aside from foreign language. If I take four years of Spanish does that really matter?</p>
<p>If your schedule otherwise gets you the “most rigorous” check box from your college counselor on the question about how difficult your courseload was in relation to your peers, it won’t matter a bit. (Sometimes also courses conflict with each other, which adcoms understand). It doesn’t sound like it, but if your schedule isn’t among the most difficult in the school, it will hurt you.</p>
<p>^^ Scoring a 5 on the AP Spanish test will exempt you from Harvard’s Language requirement, while getting a 100 in honors Spanish will not. See: [Language</a> Requirement](<a href=“http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/2009_2010/chapter2/language_requirement.html]Language”>http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/2009_2010/chapter2/language_requirement.html)</p>
<p>Does it hurt your chances? Yes. Taking hard classes is better than taking easy classes. Why are you asking this question? If you are asking because you think AP Spanish will be too difficult, then don’t take it but keep in mind you are competing with applicants who take the most rigorous courseload possible including foreign language. If you are asking because you want an easier courseload for its own sake, you should realize that any disadvantage in an extremely competitive applicant pool should be avoided and opt for the challenge.</p>