So, I’ve read that most Ivy Leagues and more selective schools require/recommend 3-4 years of foreign language. I will take French III next year, but I don’t think I’ll have the space to fit in French IV later on. Would doing well on the French SAT (possibly with Listening?) Subject Test be enough to demonstrate a proficiency in the language? Or would I have to take the AP French exam? Would that be recommended for someone who has only taken three years at that point, especially if their French teacher has a reputation for being a ‘bad teacher’? (She isn’t really, she just has an odd style that is hard to understand) Would I have to self-study over the summer or anything to prep, or just try and squeeze in a space for French IV?
Additionally, while I’m not great at it, could I possibly take the Chinese with Listening Subject Test? I’m probably not, because I’m not that great at it, but is it still enough to show that I know a second language?
Are you Chinese? If so, don’t bother with the subject test, because an 800 won’t really help and anything low would probably be disadvantageous to you. There’s space in the Common App to list the languages you know anyway.
It would probably be best if you could take French IV, but if it doesn’t fit in your schedule, a subject test wouldn’t hurt.
Yes, I am Chinese. Why would an 800 on the exam not help?
The schedule I’ve made for myself makes it seem like I don’t have the time for it, so I’m expecting to not take French IV. Would the subject test be sufficient to show that I am fluent in French?
If you’re Chinese and you speak Chinese and you get a 800 on the chinese subtest it wouldn’t look good is what they’re trying to say. It’s like me taking an english test to see if I could read…not very impressive right? Colleges would rather see proficiency somewhere else. If you know french absolutely show your fluency because it would look great!
Try to fit in a fourth year of French.
Alright, so the basic rundown here is don’t take the Chinese Subject Test. What about taking the French Subject Test without the class? If I do squeeze a fourth year of French in, should I take the test? What about AP senior year?
The SAT Subject test tests at a lower level than the AP test, so other than getting placement, I don’t think it will do anything for you. Your best option is to fit in a 4th year of French. If that does not work, taking the AP test as a junior would be choice #2.
Taking the AP test as a senior without the benefit of the class will show nothing to colleges, as admission decisions are made before the AP tests.
Alright, thanks everybody. All your answers really helped. I think I’ve got the basic gist of what I want to do now.