For context, I’ve always been more into STEM related subjects (AP calc,physics,comp sci).
I have always done well in the olympiads offered in them (aime,usapho silver,usaco plat).
I’m currently a sophomore taking Spanish 3 and I’ll be honest, the class kinda sucks. Really, I don’t want to offend anyone, but I’m just not that interested in it. To me, I feel that my period taken by Spanish would be better off in an AP class that I enjoy, or even just as a free period, where I could do hw and prep for other things.
I’ve heard some rumors in my school, and online that 4 years of a foreign language is recommended for really good universities (ivys, etc).
What are your thoughts on this? Although I think I can do well in Spanish 3/4/AP, I’m not sure if its worth it to take them just to fit some mold that top colleges want of their applicants. Is taking 4 years of a FL really that important? Like I said, I feel that I could be doing better things with my time.
I’m probably going to stay in Spanish this year, but I’m not sure about taking it the year after.
A lot depends on the schools you’re targeting. Look at their websites for their requirements and see what they look for. Spanish 3 may be enough. My son took 2 and he was fine, but he didn’t target elite/top/ivy schools.
It’s not a rumor when the college comes right out and says it - on the admissions website and/or on the Common Data Set.
Not taking 4 years (or completing level 4, which for foreign languages is the same) will not mean automatic rejection, particularly with a compelling reason. However saying that you’d rather take another class or another AP or a study hall will just lead to the AO rolling his/her eyes. Also note that many of these colleges have a foreign language requirement to graduate. So in theory, the more you take in HS, the less you need in college, when it really matters to take classes that are more important.
Well, IMO language classes in college are a major time suck especially if you don’t love them. It is the one thing I wish my Ds had done differently. They both had 3 years Latin but didn’t take AP and therefore had to start over in college. D at selective LAC ended up with classes 4 days a week for first year. Being able to exempt language would have freed up so much space for other classes. Depending on college, you could have to take 4 classes to satisfy language requirements. Yes you might place in tonhigher level but sometimes college classes don’t line up and they can be hard. A friends son basically tanked his GPA with required language.
Just something to think about. Very college dependent. At least one of D2’s acceptances was somewhere that wouldn’t have required any language for engineering.
Look at the admission requirements online for the schools you’re considering. My son absolutely loathed his foreign language class and none of the schools he was applying to required more than 2 years, so he quit after his sophomore year. He was so much happier his Junior year and he’s been accepted to 3 of the 5 schools he applied to already, so it all worked out fine.
Tough to think you may turn out to have Ivy stats, but not be looking at what those colleges ask for, in terms of hs coursework. Thinking you can go on rumor is incomplete, not Ivy-level thinking, in the first place.
No matter how much you think you’re a stem kid, if they ask for lang studies, give them what they want. This is about more than just the number of years.
It’s far too easy to notch a kid for quitting lang after soph year, considering how the bulk of the competition will have 3 or 4 years of high school study. Even stem kids. The only legit consideration is when there’s a conflict between higher math (post hs math) and the lang class offered at your own hs. (But you’re not there yet.)
Ivys probably a good idea. Top engineering schools not as important. S19 got into Ga Tech (from OOS) with only 3 years of Spanish which he completed in 10th. He went to regional Gov STEM school for his 11th and 12th grade math and science classes and this included extra STEM classes. If he wanted to continue language he would of had to drop his Show Choir class to do it. He initially tried doing Spanish 4 online as an extra class his JR year but decide to drop it because he didn’t have the time.
“that my period taken by Spanish would be better off in an AP class that I enjoy, or even just as a free period, where I could do hw and prep for other things.”
What would this AP class be, if it’s an AP science and it conflicts with Spanish 4/H, as others have mentioned, you’re probably ok. What are your other non-stem classes wrt honors or AP?
“I’ll be honest, the class kinda sucks.”
Well guess what, there are going to be classes in college that also suck and are not enjoyable, that’s why admissions likes to see stem applicants challenge themselves in non-stem rigorous classes, same with non-stem students taking AP Calc or AP science. If you’re interested in the MITs of the world (and again you don’t have to be), then you pretty much have to take AP Spanish, even if you made the USAMO team.
No. Not necessary at most schools. Maybe not even any of them. However, if you are looking to get accepted by highly selective schools that recommend 4 years of language, you are putting yourself at some disadvantage. Why should they take someone who has not bothered to take the course loads recommended when there are plenty of candidates who have and are just as good? These highly selective schools have to find reasons to turn down thousands of well qualified applicants. You are just giving them a reason to cut you.
It is recommended that you take 4 years (up to AP level) by the Top schools.
If you do not intend to apply to Ivies or selective LACs, then you can quit. Check the requirements at the colleges you want to attend.
High school is supposed to be where you get a well rounded education - learn Math, Science, Social studies and language.
Later on, you can take fewer or skip out of FL in college with a great AP/SAT score.
Thank you to everyone for taking some time out of your days to respond. You all provide very compelling reasons for me to continue studying foreign languages throughout high school, better reasons than my ideas to drop out no doubt. I’ll definitely keep them in mind when class registration starts next year.