I took Spanish 2 honors as an eighth grader. My grade was a middle school grade and therefore did not transfer on to high school.
I proceeded to take spanish 3 freshman year.
I skipped Spanish 4 because my teacher though i was well enough prepared.
Then sophomore year I took AP Spanish language. My school does not offer AP spanish literature. I want colleges to think I took three years of language (because i did but it was in middle school) but I have no way to prove it.
I am not sure if they will assume that I took Spanish 1 and 2 in the past since i started high school with spanish 3 honors. I honestly have no options left to continue my spanish career in high school but i want to apply to a top tier college and want them to know i took more than just two years.
When my older son was preparing to enter his college a few years ago, he had to take an online Spanish placement exam. The questions would get progressively harder as you answered them correctly, until such point when he couldn’t answer them. That online assessment told the college which year of Spanish he needed to start with.
I don’t think it’s the number of years you study a language as much as it’s the level you leave off on. So if you take the AP early and do well that will look just as great as if you’ve actually taken the class for all 4 years of high school. You might want to begin another language after this one. That would also look great.
Take the AP Spanish test, get your score of 3 and over, and you’ll be fine for your requirements. I wouldn’t pick up another language unless you want to do it for yourself. You are going to be too busy with your other coursework to begin another language and possibly affect your GPA since starting another language can be tough. You need as much room as possible during junior year to take your tests and practice your essays.
I actually agree with @aunt bea. Only take another language if you like learning languages and will do well. Otherwise fill it with something you like.