Importance of foreign language

<p>hello</p>

<p>I am a junior this year, and my school cut german over the summer. They are offering me a german class on VHS, but it is a beginner class and I should be going into honors 3 or even 4. How important is 4 years of a foreign language in your college application? I already have done 2 years... Should I take the beginner online class? Or should I seek another online source which I might have to pay for myself.</p>

<p>I am looking to go into engineering, and am currently taking all honors/AP classes. My GPA is 4.0 unweighted.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/will-only-2-years-of-foreign-language-be-a-disadvantage.htm”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/will-only-2-years-of-foreign-language-be-a-disadvantage.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>For some schools, particularly competitive ones, you need to have 3 or more years of world language. If your school does not offer that, you may consider taking it online or in a community college as dual enrollment or over the summer.</p>

<p>Do not take the beginner class. It would be a complete waste of your time. This is one instance where I would suggest switching languages. You can note the reason for the switch on your college apps. Your school cutting german should not negatively affect you (you are judged by what your school offers). But if you can find another source, such as a community college, to take german, there would be no worries whatsoever.</p>

<p>I would not suggest to switch to a new language in junior while you have 2 years of another language already. Unless you have previous experience and may be placed into a higher level immediately. Otherwise, it is a waste of time as you can only achieve level 2 by senior and would not help the application to those schools who want level 3 or above for the same language. Look for other alternatives suggested above.</p>

<p>If you can find an alternative way, such as courses at a community college, to take a higher level German course, that is the best option. Note that college foreign language courses are more intense and fast paced than high school courses.</p>

<p>Certainly getting additional German classes through a CC or another way are preferable, but if it’s not possible @guineagirl96‌’s suggestion to change to a different language has merit. The colleges will not hold it against the student when the HS drops a foreign language. </p>

<p>My neighbor and family friend is from Germany, so I could have her teach me german. However, would this be effective? I can still take the AP German test or german SAT without taking a german class to that level. I sent my counselor links to other online options, but she hasn’t responded yet. So would a good score on a German subject test be adequete? Or is the school looking for the proficiency.</p>

<p>Again, you do not have to go through your school. You can take other courses (online or at a college) and they would have their own transcript that you would send. It would be counted in your workload.</p>

<p>I would look into taking German at a CC, nearby college or even an online class. Studying with your neighbor would not count for much with colleges. You should ask that your guidance counselor include why you stopped taking German in the HS in his/her recommendation.</p>

<p>Just a reminder. Taking 1 semester of German at CC (e.g in Summer) is equivalent to 1 year in high school.</p>

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<p>Doing so and then doing well on a German AP or SAT subject test may count for more than just saying you did so on your application, though.</p>