My plan had been to take AP Spanish this year but a conflict in schedule forced me to choose between AP Spanish and year 3 STEM DE of a 4 year program. Both courses are only offered in 7th period. Now wanting to keep my Ivy schools as an option what course of action should I take going forward? AP Spanish is not offered on FLVS where I take other courses and going forward if the same problem presents itself I will be unable to take my 4th year FL that they like to see. Even if I get lucky and have the option senior year of being able to take AP Spanish, I’m not sure how I would make out after missing a year.
I should add I already chose STEM 3 and plan on majoring in CS in college.
@Luska19 I would take the STEM 3 and not worry about taking Spanish AP. Can you self study for the Spanish AP exam? Check out the schools you are thinking about applying to and see what their foreign language requirements are. You may already have completed enough or more years of Spanish and the AP won’t matter. I’m thinking you probably have 4 years of Spanish completed and the AP is the next and last class in the sequence? Since you plan on being a CS major, I think taking the STEM is more beneficial.
A lot of universities do a placement test for foreign language and some will even award credit based on where you place (at least they did for me). I wouldn’t worry about studying for Spanish AP and concentrate on doing well in your STEM 3. And don’t study for your placement test either, you’ll end up in a much harder class where there are big gaps in what you should already know and it will be hard to get an A. You want the results of the placement test to put you where you have mastery of content for prior knowledge. You can get the best placement just by showing up.
@pkchamp89 I did choose STEM 3. Some of the schools I am looking at “recommend” 4 years FL but I have only completed Spanish 3 honors so will end up 1 year short.
What is STEM 3 ?
@paul2752 My HS does a 4 year STEM(Engineering program) for those interested in STEM majors in college. STEM 3 would be year 3 which is Digital Electronics.
I am also curious regarding what STEM 3 DE is. Regardless it sounds like you are doing the right thing. If there is some chance that you might want to end up as any sort of STEM major then it is important to keep up with the general field.
If you want to keep up on your Spanish, and if you hope to take Spanish AP next year, then you should at least either take some Spanish course, or make an effort to do something in Spanish in your spare time. For example, you could watch Spanish TV shows or movies. It might be tough at first to keep up but over time it gets easier to follow.
@DadTwoGirls That’s part of the problem. I don’t know at this point but I anticipate I will run into the same problem next year of AP Spanish and STEM 4 only being offered during the same period. My next problem is if it isn’t an issue should I even attempt to take AP Spanish after having taken a year off and only completed Spanish 3 honors.
Go ahead and keep the STEM 3 but understand that not all DE programs of this sort make for an engineering edge at tippy top colleges. What sort of other students are in these classes? College students majoring in engineering/CS or kids going into the tech side or other hs kids?
You simply explain, in one line in Addl Info, that there was a schedule conflict.
You’d benefit from previewing the Common App and any supps for your targets.
Best is to find a way to continue Spanish on your own.
Is AP Spanish the only class? Is there a Spanish 4 non-honors that would get you that last year of language? Another option would be community college over the summer. (Be sure to do a placement test because different places do language courses differently.)
@lookingforward Sorry for the misunderstanding. STEM 3 DE stands for Digital Electronics not dual enrollment. It’s a 4 year course offered at the HS for kids interested in STEM majors in HS be it engineering, CS etc…
@AroundHere Unfortunately there is no Spanish 4 honors offered at the HS.
Is there non-honors spanish 4 offered? If so take that.
Go with your STEM program…the chances of an IVY league school are very small…many colleges don’t require that you take 4 years of FL.
^ I agree with the above poster. Is there a Spanish 4 non honors? As long as you take 4 years it really doesn’t matter at what level. Your guidance counselor can always explain the schedule conflict you had with your application and why it was not an honors or AP level class.
Just to clear some things up. The STEM program is for all 4 years of HS and geared for kids wanting to major in a STEM subject in HS.
STEM 1: Introduction to Engineering design. This course teaches problem-solving skills using a design development process. Models of product solutions are created , analyzed, and communicated using solid modeling computer design.
STEM 2: Principles of Engineering. This course helps students understand the field of engineering/engineering technology. Exploring various technology systems and manufacturing processes help students learn how engineers and technicians use math, science, and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people. The course also includes concerns about social and political consequences of technological change.
STEM 3: Digital Electronics. This is a course in applied logic that encompasses the application of electronic circuits and devices. Computer simulation software is used to design and test digital circuitry prior to the actual construction of circuits and devices.
STEM 4: You have 2 options to choose from.
A. Civil Engineering & Architecture or
B. Engineering Design and Development(which I will be taking). This course is the capstone in the PLTW high school engineering program. It is an engineering research course in which students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a valid open-ended technical problem by applying the engineering design process. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science and technology.
The 4 year program starts with about 150 kids and ends with about 16-18 doing all 4 years. Students are also expected to participate in TSA science competitions and events.
Along with this I am currently(11th grade) taking Calculus BC and have completed Computer Science A last year. Also taking AP Physics this year and taking Applied Object-Oriented Java Programming: Certification Preparation.
You’re okay with Spanish 3 but if you’re really worried you can take College Spanish 3 at a community college over the summer (counts as HS level 4)
@bopper @pkchamp89 There is no Spanish 4 offered the sequence is Spanish 1, Spanish 2 , Spanish 3 honors and AP Spanish.
Seems like most say to just go with STEM. I just hope it doesn’t effect my chances for some schools. Thanks everyone.