Is having 4 years of a language...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Is having 4 years of language really needed to get into a school like MIT or Caltech? I have a decent chance of getting in (according to others on this board ) and I really want to go to either of them. </p>

<p>I can only take spaniosh 4 IB (and they may take it away when im a senior) for my fourth year, and at this point I really DONT want it. But if it is seriously required Ill take it. I love spanish but I dont wanna take spanish 4 at all. </p>

<p>Also are ROP courses EVER weighted?</p>

<p>Finally, do colleges EVER weight differnt classes differntly than what your school gave your weighted gpa?</p>

2

<p>yes<br>
more the better</p>

3

<p>I'm sure 4 years would help, but I just looked at the collegeboard profile of MIT and they recommend 2 years of a foreign language.</p>

4

<p>ty guys. any more posts?</p>

5

<p>i have four years of english... do i get brownie points?</p>

6

<p>4 or more years of a language probably looks impressive wherever you're applying, or at least I would think so.</p>

<p>MIT is a technical school...so probably there are a lot of science/math oriented kids there. I would think that having a good foreign language program would help you stand out. Maybe?</p>

<p>I'm kinda the opposite...I REALLY didn't want to take a 5th year of math (I'm very much a Foreign Language/English person) but here I am in Calc BC...</p>

<p>Also, fluency in Spanish could definitely help you in a job post-college. So maybe that's a factor to consider.</p>

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<p>well i plan to be fluent...just not take 4 years. if i have to i will...but i really rather not.</p>

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<p>don't take a fourth year just to get into MIT.
it sounds like you really don't want to...so i'm saying with no doubts about it, don't do it.</p>

<p>you'll be fine with 3.
don't worry about it.</p>

9

<p>What the colleges recommend for language or any other course, including math and science, are just recommendations not hard and fast rules. If you choose not to follow their recommendations, however, you should have a good reason for doing so. E.g., don't drop a language to take a fluff course. </p>

<p>If your highschool doesn't offer the fourth year of Spanish, it's out of your control so don't give it another thought. If there is another equally rigorous class that you want to pursue instead of the fourth year of language, then just make sure that that is self evident in your application.</p>

<p>The other point to think about is how you'll do in language after you matriculate. I don't know about MIT, but many colleges have a language proficiency requirement. It's important to understand what will be required after you get in and to consider how you would feel about taking college level language if you don't place out of the requirement.</p>