<p>I am currently a sophomore in the one of the most competitive private high schools in California, and have roughly a 3.8 GPA, unweighted. (I am currently enrolled in two honors classes: Algebra 2 Honors, and Biology Honors.) As a sophomore class, we took a PLAN test in October 2008, which is sort of a pre-ACT. I scored a 26, and it said by the time I take the ACT as a junior, my estimated score would be around a 30. Now, enough about my stats. I am taking Mandarin Chinese 2, and got a solid A first semester, and currently have an A this semester. I was highly recommended to take Mandarin 3 Honors next year, which I will, along with Precalc Honors.</p>
<p>So, my questions are: Does taking Chinese and showing skill and proficiency affect my chances of admission to an Undergraduate Business school, especially when the Chinese language is showing signs of becoming the language of the future?</p>
<p>And, I have been offered an opportunity to intern with Best Buy in Shanghai during the summer of entering my senior year, which I will probably take up. Would this affect my chances at Stern, by setting myself apart and showing an earnest passion in a particular area of interest, especially one that's business related?</p>
<p>Also: How important are sophomore year grades, compared to Junior and first-semester Senior grades? This year has not been my best, unfortunately, with a lot happening (which I know is no excuse, therefore I will not use it as such.)</p>
<p>yeah, plus they DO give SOME financial aid...so never give up on a school before viewing your FA. I got 40k from Michigan(EXCLUDING loans). Yeah and I'm OOS, so you never know...And hells yeah it is worth it to study at one of the best bschools in the WORLD!
NOW, for the OP:it is generally known that your grades get more important as your grade go up. However, some adcoms say that if you have an upward trend(like going from a 3.0 in 10th grade to 3.4 in 11th and to a 3.8 in 12th), that helps a lot also. So just try your best. BTW Schools like Uchicago openly said that they don't look at freshmen grades.</p>
<p>1.) I doubt that being proficient in Mandarin as opposed to say Spanish or French will have an impact on your admissions, but being proficient in any language is always a plus.</p>
<p>2.) An internship in your intended field of study will definitely help your application. I'm just wondering what type of internship it is that makes you go all the way to China.</p>
<p>3.) tsh is right, in general your grades have more of an impact as you go on in high school. You shouldn't take it easy your sophomore/freshman year though, because going into your junior and senior years with a low gpa will put even more pressure on you aside from the numerous honors courses, college essays, visits, and ecs.</p>