<p>I want to get out of it. Not because I don’t want to take a language these next four years (I’m thinking Hindi and Arabic maybe) but do not want to take these classes all 4 years and do not want to have to take these classes for grades (I suck at new languages). I took Spanish for 3 years in high school, but only did regular, not honors. Because I did not take the Spanish SATII as part of my application, I cannot cram for the test and take it like I was planning to, so I was wondering what the placement tests at Penn are like. If I want to pass it, I would probably need to start studying soon to catch up. Or is it best to just take the test, and take Spanish for a few semesters?</p>
<p>you can still take the sat II for spanish. its offered most months. Definately a better idea than taking their placement. All you need is >650. You can also take it as many times until you are at penn, so you have at least 3-4 cracks at it.</p>
<p>I looked at their website and it said you can only use the SATII if it is part of your application. I'm already in, so yea, not happening. I was planning to take it in May then June after some intense studying, but thats not allowed.</p>
<p>wow. I never read that! I also got accepted ED and was planning to take the sat II in latin to be exempted from the 4 courses. Guess i have to change my plans. I really want to be exempted b/c i am planning to duel degree w/CAS and wharton, and 4 course units is almost a semester's work that i could bypass. thanks for pointing that out to me</p>
<p>The language requirement is a joke. They aren't serious about it since all you need is a 650 on the language subject test. Try getting into Penn with only a 650 on each SAT section. but, lots of kids seemed to get into wharton this year with these low scores.</p>
<p>thank you for your infinite wisdon dulce. Your contrbiution to the Penn forum since your deferral has been very helpful. and positive </p>
<p>Anyway, while a 650 is a pretty average score for an SATII and pretty low to be trying to get into an Ivy, it is still hard for some of us to get for subjects we are really bad at. I want to know how much I need to learn to pass the Spanish placement test, or if it is in my best interest to just take the however many course units I place into. I want to be able to get a dual degree either with Wharton or SEAS if my plan to be a doctor does not work out and it is hard to get into these programs when Language classes lower my GPA. Also, a 650 langauge requirement is solid. Stanford has the same standards, except you can take the test in June of your senior year still. Dulce, pick a subject you are bad at and have not looked at in atleast a year and I guarantee you will not break 600 on the SATII.</p>
<p>The Wharton website says that, to meet the language requirement, one must take the SATII prior to matriculation. Matriculation apparently happens once you actually arrive at the University. I didn't see anything that would prevent you from taking the SATII and have it count all the way up until June.</p>
<p>I'm looking at my CAS requirements. They are different from the Wharton ones.</p>
<p>Hmmm 4 CUs sounds like a big deal to some of you guys. I'm no pro at this, is that a lot of units to be spending? I'm currently taking AP Spanish Language (4th year of Spanish), but I don't think I'm going to get a 5 on the exam, so I probably won't get credit for that. But that's besides the point. I don't want to take Spanish, I wanted to learn another language in college, but if 4 credits seems to take away the ability to do a dual degree...I'll have to rethink that...</p>
<p>agentboyscout--I think you will be good with a 4 on AP Spanish exam. I think you get credit at SEAS for a 4.</p>
<p>venkater, where did you find that requirement?</p>
<p>"Students who have taken the Achievement Exam (see SAT II scores below) as part of their application to Penn may use that score to register for the proper level." -<a href="http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/language_exams.html">http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/language_exams.html</a></p>
<p>4 CUs can be finished by the end of your second year. You also take a placement test, so if you score high enough, you either get out of the requirement, or you take 1 or two classes to complete it. I guess I should start looking at the course syllabus for these classes so I can see what I need to learn to get out of the requirement. I guess I'll call tomorrow to see what I need to do.</p>
<p>It's been a month, does someone new know how I can get through this language requirement? Can I take classes at my local CC this summer to fulfill the requirement (could care less if I get credit or not)?</p>
<p>They have placement exams, also. You can take the ones in Spanish and French during the summer online, and all other ones are offered the first week of classes in the fall.</p>
<p>If you get a high enough score you get the credit, if its a barely pass you might have to do an oral interview, and then after that they would recommend what course to take at Penn.</p>
<p>So, you could get slotted into say, Spanish 140, and be done the requirement in one semester.</p>
<p>EDIT: This holds true for classes of 09 and 10 at least, I know they're doing a lot of weird things with the '11 class when it comes to AP and placement stuff.</p>
<p>what about the "accelerated" level courses for languages. how do they test to see if you belong in that level or regular? or do you just sign up for the class you think you would fit best into?</p>
<p>Venkat,</p>
<p>It doesn't seem like you've got much choice here. I would recommend you study as hard as you can, within reason, for the spanish placement test, and hope you pass out, or at least test to the point where you only need one or two semesters of it.</p>
<p>As a sidenote, even if you started a new language, you would only need 4 semesters, not 4 years, to fulfill the language requirement</p>
<p>Yea, I realized that I would only need 4 semesters a little after starting the thread. I'm just kind of curious what I need to know for the placement test. Would it be like an AP, SATII, or something very different? I really don't mind starting a new language, but languages are my weak point and I'm afraid that 4 semesters would really hurt my GPA. Do CC classes count for the language requirement?</p>
<p>And Paro, you take a placement test at the beginning of the year and based on your score Penn places you. You only take the test if you want to continue study in a language.</p>
<p>All these questions you're asking Venkat would be specific to each department. Unless you luck out and a Penn student who has taken the spanish placement finds this thread, I would recommend you e-mail the Spanish department to ask what the test covers.</p>
<p>Why do you think I started this thread. I want to get out of the class, and now it seems the only way is to take the placement test. Has anyone taken it and willing to tell me about it? I feel like I will get a better answer from a current student than the department (I really should call, maybe tomorrow?).</p>