Language, Music, or Math?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So, I'm having trouble deciding how to schedule my classes in a way that is beneficial to my current year and overall class choices for my transcript... I'm going to be a sophomore this year... My current schedule as of now is...</p>

<p>2 Periods[Blocked]: Chemistry & Study Hall (Chemistry on Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
World History
Pre-AP English 10
Orchestra
Lunch
Algebra II
Pre-AP Geometry</p>

<p>So, the problem is, I can't fit Spanish III in due to me doubling in Math, as well as having a blocked Chemistry/Study Hall. I can't help the Chemistry being blocked with study hall, because study hall was supposed to be Health, until I took Health in the summer, hoping to take the only single period Science which is Conceptual Physics. In the end, it was full, so I had to settle for Chemistry. I decided to take 2 Math classes, because I love math, and I wanted to catch up to the advanced math class so I can get to Calculus in my Senior year. We're required to take Trig. before Calculus, so it would be impossible without doubling. All my other classes are core classes, so the only optional ones there are Orchestra and Algebra II (Since I'm already taking Pre-AP Geometry). Just so you know, my school is sorta small, so it's choices are limited, and there aren't much classes or AP classes.. And AP classes can't even be taken unless you're a Junior or Senior... My original thought was to not take Spanish III during my sophomore year, and just take it during my Junior year, and since I also love languages, to take Latin I and Latin II during my Junior and Senior year respectively. However, I read on some college websites, such as Harvard's, that taking a 'break' from a language for a year is unacceptable. D: But I also really like Orchestra, and like, 1/3 of my ECs are from Orchestra... So I'm asking you, is, is it really unacceptable to take a break from Languages? I wish there was a way to keep all these classes, but my school's science options make me waste a whole period, making it totally impossible. I really don't want to choose between Language Music or Math, even if they're total separate areas of learning... Can anyone give me advice on what to do, or tell me if it's alright to take a year off of Language in these circumstances? I plan to make up for it by taking Latin I & II (Was planning on doing that anyways). I'm so confused on what to do, because any choice I make will somehow ruin one of my options. :( 'Cause I'm really interested in all these areas, and I don't think I can make a choice between these areas at the moment. Sorry for dragging this out. :/ Basically, what I'm going to ask is... "Is taking a year off of my Foreign language unacceptable in the eyes of a college?", "If I do have to make a choice between these 3 things, what guidelines do you suggest I use to choose?" and just in case anyone has an idea, "Is there any way to cram all these classes in somehow? My main objective is to take Calculus by my senior year, take orchestra all 4 years, take enough foreign language to get into a decent college? Basically, the best choice to have a transcript that is good for college.". Sorry if I didn't make sense, or am repeating things a lot. ^^; I'm just really stressed out about this.</p>

2

<p>you should repost this on the Parents forum, where you will find that lots of knowledgeable parents will respond [their kids have already been through the college application process]</p>

3

<p>Ok, sure. ^^ Thanks, I'll do that.</p>

4

<p>For anyone who lacks the attention span to read through the paragraph-less essay posted above, the question is:</p>

<p>
[quote]
So I'm asking you, is, is it really unacceptable to take a break from Languages? I really don't want to choose between Language Music or Math, even if they're total separate areas of learning... Can anyone give me advice on what to do, or tell me if it's alright to take a year off of Language in these circumstances?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The most important points can be summarized here:

[quote]
My main objective is to take Calculus by my senior year, take orchestra all 4 years, take enough foreign language to get into a decent college?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Now, to get on topic. I think that taking a break from languages would be a bit detrimental, as you'll have an entire year to forget everything you've previously learned. You're most important goal is to get into Calc by senior year, so that should be prioritized first. Most colleges are completely fine with only 3 years of foreign language (I'm only taking 3 years of Spanish in order to take another AP science course), but I sort of question the possibility of taking an entire year off between language courses. You seem to love orchestra, so I'd try my best to stay with it for as long as possible.</p>

<p>If you choose to take a year off, I'm sure you can explain your circumstance in some note or essay. However, I'd assume that catching up later after a year off languages would be very difficult.</p>

5

<p>Hmm, that's true. ^^ I should be prioritizing my goals. I'm also positive I can catch back up with my Spanish, as I'm always practicing my foreign languages with online penpals and such... I'm bilingual with English and Korean, and I'm self studying Japanese which isn't taught in School, and I was learning Spanish in school. Since I'm continuously using them by talking to penpals, I'm assuming I'll be fine, if not learning more. ^^ However, when I go to college and decide I want to become a Linguist more than something that involves Mathematics, will that affect my entry into college or make it more difficult to become a linguist because I took a year off from Spanish? By the way, there's no chance I'll have a major in Spanish, I love Eastern Asian languages like Japanese and Korean, and only like Spanish half as much. I don't know why. ^^;. The reason why I'm like this, is because I can't prioritize my choices... I'm thinking that I might Major in Pharmacy or Language, but I'm thinking that AP Calculus will bring up my chances of getting into a better college than AP Spanish. And AP Calculus might broaden my choices for a major if I chance my mind?</p>

6

<p>lalala take a break from language.</p>