I just finished my freshman year of high school and tested out of/took all the required credits for foreign language. I have a strong interest in science and medicine and would rather take classes along those wavelengths and focus on research as opposed to another year of French. The other aspects of my college application are pretty strong as of now, with a few strong EC’s and honors/AP classes that are pretty diverse. However, I have heard that certain schools and special programs frown upon a lack of foreign language. Is this the case? Do they deem you better-rounded and hence more eligible if you take more foreign language (especially medical programs such as PPSP at Case and Rice-Baylor)?
Most of the top schools want to see 4 years of a foreign language.
For the most selective programs you’re expected to have level 4 or AP in a foreign language.
You do not explain what you mean by “tested out of/took all required credits for foreign language.” The 2,3,or 4 year (depending on college) language requirements or recommendations of colleges are a reference to level of desired completion not necessarily number of years in high school. For example if you took high school level language courses in middle school and then finished the fourth level in freshman year, that would count as meeting the four years a high ranked college may want to see. In fact, if the only language you ever took was the fourth level of a language, such as an AP course, and graded well, that itself would satisfy any four year recommendation.
Consider what schools where you are likely to apply and then review entrance requirements. You then would identify the highest level of FL required for admissions. That is the amount of FL you will take. It seems unlikely that schools would not include a FL requirement.
Schools are unlikely to waive admissions requirements and are potentially disinterested in sorting out your waiver. The more competitive the school, the more a school is apt to adhere to its requirements.
You may find that schools without FL requirements are less than your academic ambitio
You may find yourself taking FL classes in summer school or through a community college.
You can believe that FL is irrelevant to you, but that is not helpful. Instead, investigate what languages are most pertinent to your major and preferred major and study those.