<p>I'm a high school freshman in Texas and as of now the required minimum for language is 2 credits. But, there is something like a scholar graduation program that requires 3 credits. My foreign language is Chinese (I am chinese, though it'd be an easy A but the teacher, ughhhhhh) and I honestly think that the time I "waste" in a language course could be better spent on a math or science course since that is my area of interest. Do colleges such as MIT and Cornell (longshots, I know) that are renowned for their engineering and other science programs really take this 2 or 3 credit difference into account? And I have plans to study a full school year in Beijing University after my undergrad years to learn Chinese, will my plans factor in during my undergrad application? And will my actually studying a year abroad affect me negatively during my grad school application?</p>
<p>First of all, you’re too far out to be thinking about grad school. You have at least eight years before that. Your plans may change, or something may happen that makes it no longer viable.</p>
<p>Many selective universities want to see at least three years of the same foreign language. Lots of your competitors will have four years. You can take math and science courses while still taking a foreign language. Other applicants certainly will. </p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply. I guess I have to stick with it then, since my school district does not really recognize any summer language course, it is a nuisance. I planned to do more advanced math and science courses like AP Stat and AP Physics my sophomore year (I’m pretty confident I can handle the work load from my school) and the language credit does get in my way. But, yeah guess not. And yeah, you’re right, grad school is pretty far out, I just wanted to know how not immediately applying after undergrad affects the process, or, can I ask for a deferment? Its a bit early but I was just wondering, thanks!</p>
<p>First of all, if you are native Chinese and is taking Chinese as world language, it does not impress the adcom of top schools at all. Some schools would not even count that as world language requirement. For instance, Harvard would not consider your SAT2 Chinese as part of the SAT2 requirement. It is indeed a waste of time for you too to learn Chinese in high school while you are a native speaker disregarding the quality of the teacher. You should have picked another language to study.</p>