Importance of 5th year of foreign language?

<p>I'm currently going into my senior (starting this 29th! pumped but somewhat not) and as of right now my schedule is pretty demanding. My school is a small school in New Hampshire, so the courses are challenging but we don't have a million AP courses and we don't have honors classes. </p>

<p>I took a year of Spanish in middle school (that counts as a year right?) and continued taking it up to, now, AP Spanish. However I absolutely hate Spanish, if I could get rid of it for any reason I would. So do colleges care so much about that? Of course I understand that it is a AP course so it will matter and it'll look like I'm committed, but if I am able to change the course to something just as challenging (Maybe AP Stats?) would it matter? </p>

<p>Also I do understand that for each college is different, but from the general standpoint does it matter?</p>

<p>If it matters I am more than likely applying to: UC Berkely, UCLA, UCSD, USC, RPI, WPI, Carnegie, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, U Rochester, Harvey Mudd, Cornell (?), RIT, Case Western, Santa Clara U, Colorado School of Mines, blah blah blah =P. These are all just possibilities to my list but as you can tell I would really like to go California (luckily I have the financial opp to do so). This list obviously isn't set yet but these are the more than likely.</p>

<p>Thanks ahead of time to anyone that helps me with this :)</p>

<p>It really depends on the college. UC Berkeley only requires 2 years of a foreign language, but recommends 3. That’s just one example though. Many top schools recommend 4 years of a language. However, that definition varies from school to school. At some, it means that you should take up to Spanish 4. At other schools, it means taking a language every year, no matter what level it is (AP Spanish, Advanced Spanish Lit., etc.). What you took in middle school doesn’t count though.</p>

<p>Well what I meant by the middle school thing is that it was Spanish 1, and last year (junior year) I completed Spanish 4. So I guess you answered my question.
My main question though, would it be VERY advantageous to take that 4th/5th year of Spanish?</p>

<p>I understand what you meant by the middle school thing, but it doesn’t matter that you took it then. Colleges don’t care what you did in middle school. </p>

<p>And no, it wouldn’t be “VERY” advantageous, unless you plan on applying to a school that recommends that you take 4 years of a foreign language in high school (that means that you can’t include your middle school Spanish 1). Hope this helps!</p>

<p>I concur with pixels. But another thing to consider is the language requirement at whatever college you attend. Unless there is another language you are interested in learning, you may have to take more Spanish unless you can test out of it. Some schools accept specific AP or SATII scores, or have their own placement tests. It might be easier to continue with AP Spanish in the long run. Depending, of course, on the requirements of your college and your scores.</p>

<p>I think what the OP is trying to say is that he got high school credit for Spanish 1 he took in middle school. Let me ask you this: does the Spanish 1 show up on your transcript? If it does, it counts.</p>

<p>You have 4 years. That’s enough for any college’s admission requirements. That said, getting into college isn’t about filling in a checklist. A fifth year of language will probably look better than any other elective you could take.</p>

<p>Ultimately, it’s your decision. If you hate Spanish that much, there’s certainly nothing forcing you to take another year. You’re already ahead of the curve at most colleges.</p>

<p>I’m in the same situation, except I’ve already had AP Spanish. Is that good enough? 1 year in middle school (on my transcript) 3 years in high school including AP spanish language. My school also offers AP spanish lit, but only native speakers take it and I really don’t want to…</p>