Is it okay to take 3 years of Foreign Language?

<p>Last year as a freshman I took Latin I in my old high school. My parents were able to pay the tution for next year for me. So they decided to transfer me to a different preparatory school, but it was cheaper. They didn't have Latin as a foreign language at this high school, so I had to take Spanish I as a sophmore this year. ><; I realized that I had to take 4 years of Foreign Language to get into one of the ivys. My parents told me 3 years of Foreign Language is ok. My parents told me that Ivys only care about students who does well in their grades and SATS. I'm kind of worried. Do you think my parents right about taking 3 years of Foreign Language? If they are wrong, should I take Spanish III and IV during my senior year? I can't take summer school for it, because my parents can't afford it, and they need to pay for other things. In this high school, juniors and seniors can take 1 full credit of sports rather than 2 or 3 credits. Should I take Rec Tennis as a half credit in the fall instead of XC ( ><; I don't like running 6 miles everyday. :P Yea the XC coach is kind of insane. [Shrugs] )? There's only wrestling and basketball for winter. I plan not to take any of those two sports. In the spring, I'm going to take Tennis as a full credit. o_o; Would that really damage my chances of getting into one of the ivys? x.x; Thanks!</p>

<p>As you said above Ivy League schools strongly recommend that applicants take four years of one language. That said…it may put you at a disadvantage for not taking four years of one language. But unfortunately you mom was wrong when she told you “My parents told me that Ivys only care about students who does well in their grades and SATS,” because they have thousands of applicants with high GPAs and good SATs scores. They have to dig deeper than these two things. Sure your essays, Recommendations, and interview should help, but you still will be at a disadvantage when compared to all of those kids who also had high GPA, good SAT, etc. + took the strongly recommended courses. But don’t worry, too much if you really wanted to you could take a Spanish class at a local community college. Also I don’t think it matters what PE you take.</p>

<p>Ok thank you so much!</p>

<p>I thought it didn't matter if it was 3 or 4, but it did if it was less than 3 years. Learned languages in school aren't even important unless you're gonna major in the language. For example, only latin & spanish is offered in my school, and I highly doubt I'm going to have to do anything with the latin/spanish community. So it's really a waste of time for me. That's why I'm not fooling with AP spanish. I don't see why colleges stress on these non-important classes, especially when you want to major in something that has nothing to do with another language.</p>

<p>The more you take, the longer you stick with something (and this goes for every class), the better it looks for you.</p>

<p>It's not as if colleges do not look at your circumstances. They carfully evaluate each applicant. In your case, they will realize that latin is not offered at your new school. Nobody will hold it against you for being limited by your school. As long as you max out the options at your school and community, then you should be fine.</p>

<p>3 or 4 should be good enough. I'm doing 3 too, and I don't have a special circumstance.</p>

<p>^_^ Thank you! Now I feel better. ^^</p>

<p>My son had three years of Latin and could no longer tolerate the teacher and so as a senior took an elective instead. He was accepted at top schools, so I don't think the three years of Latin was a problem for him.</p>

<p>I had three years of French under my belt, but had to drop my fourth year due to three classes conflicting with eachother (had to drop AP bio as well). It's just important to let your guidance counselor (or principal, whoever writes the rec) know your circumstances. For example, I was going to take 5 ap classes my current (junior) year, but due to schedule conflicts, I could only take 3...so that's going to be noted on my rec.</p>

<p>2 years is required, and they recommend 3 years. I took 3 years, I know people who took only 3 and got accepted to ivy's</p>

<p>Gah, I'm in trouble too...</p>

<p>I took one year of Spanish during Freshman year (Hated it). Didn't take any during Sophomore year. I'm a Junior now and at a different school and am taking Japanese now. I'll be taking Japanese next year too.</p>

<p>How much is that going to hurt me...? I've ALWAYS hated foreign language classes. I'm a math/sci person.</p>

<p>On a side note, I'm Chinese so I can speak Chinese, but can't read/write well. Will that account for anything?</p>

<p>How about someone who started out loving spanish, then as more years went by, despised it and thought of it as the worst class and language ever in the history of the world and wants to not take spanish next year? I just cannot stand the language and next year I can take the AP Spanish Lang class so I want to hold on to it for the AP credit, and yet I feel like I don't belong in a class in which I just cannot stand the subject. Suggestions?</p>

<p>AP Spanish Lang?! My gosh, you're so ahead. All you need is four years of it. oo;! Durran I'm jealous of you! x.x I wanna take Japanese. For Durran, are your parents willing to pay for summer school? Because mine don't want to.</p>