Need help from College Reps

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>I have posted this in MIT forum too. </p>

<p>Hello,
Before my school started, I was signed up for AP Spanish Language but now I wanted to switch into Research & Development Engineering (another elective at my school.) When I called my counsler about this, she said that I could not switch until the 1st 9 weeks of school. Recently, I got a call from the guidance director at my school saying that many colleges value 4+ language credits (I currently have 3 language credits) and therefore he will not let me switch out. I responded saying that engineering colleges see it differently. I know that colleges like MIT and CalTech see what you're passionate about and that is why I am writing this message.
The guidance director said that when you are a senior and the counslers start writing reccomendation forms, they will state wether you have taken the toughest classes available. He believes that taking AP Spanish Langugage will look much more impressive on my application and does not reccomend that I drop out of this class. However, R&D Engineering will give my an opputunity to get an internship at a Naval Research Base*. Also, this class will provide me equpiment which I can use to work on my science fair project. I am clearly more passionate about engineering and value it more than taking AP Spanish just because "everyone" says I should.
My question is, by not taking AP Spanish Lang, will my chances at getting accepted in MIT decrease significantly? I already have 3 language credits and could get 1 more next year by taking Spanish 4 but that is besides the point. Am I making a mistake by not taking AP Spanish even though I am not passionate about it? </p>

<p>My Current Stats:
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
SAT: haven't taken yet
APs: 10th-AP World History; 11th-AP US History, AP English Language, AP Computer Science (self study), AP Calculus BC (self study); </p>

<p>12th grade (planning to take) AP Gov, English Lit, AP Physics, Mulitvariable Calc (dont think its an AP) </p>

<p>ECs: Mainly Math related, plan on doing Science Olympiad this year as well. AutoCAD certified, going for Oracle SQL Certification. </p>

<p>Note: If you are a college rep, please reply via email <a href="mailto:argunda@hotmail.com">argunda@hotmail.com</a> but if anyone else would like to drop a comment, it would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>First, I have to say this business of "email me if you are a college rep" is quite annoying. If you want to have an email coonversation with a college rep, then go send an email to one. If you want to have a discussion on a message board, then do that. Don't expect that admissions staffers are going to go to the trouble of duplicating their answer on the board in an email to you. We're pretty busy as it is.</p>

<p>Caltech has no foreign language requirement. An R&D Engineering elective would look more impressive to us. However, if this is going to get you into a fight with your college counselor, whose letter can do a fair bit of harm if it's not good, then don't bother. Find some other way to get involved in research.</p>

<p>But you will need to fill out your good academic stats with some significant awards and such, so start thinking about that.</p>

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<p>by no foreign language requirement, do you mean language creits from your high school?
also, im not really in a fight with my counsler. actually the guidance director was somewhat happy to see me taking this so seriously</p>

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<p>Ben Golub, just wondering.... are you a CalTech rep?</p>

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<p>I'm a Caltech undergraduate (third year) and I am also a member of the Committee on Admissions -- I read, comment on, and vote on freshman applications. So if that's what you mean by college rep, then yes.</p>

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<p>ok thank you</p>