<p>I do remember that for UVA engineering admissions in 2008, UVA foreign language was recommended, but not required for admission. Has UVA changed engineering foreign language admission recommendations to include 4 years of foreign language?
My son, looking to study engineering, is registering for courses for his senior year. He will complete Honors Spanish IV this spring (three years high school Spanish after 3 years middle school) and had planned on signing up for AP Spanish. His school no longer offers AP Spanish, but does offer AP Spanish Literature. He would rather take an additional AP Math.</p>
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<p>Itâs basically in case an engineering student switches out to the college of arts and sciences (something like 10% do? I might be making that up, but itâs in my head for some reason). I was wondering the same thing when asked about engineering - thereâs no foreign language requirement there.</p>
<p>My son is in the class of 2015 so he applied two years ago. I donât ever remember seeing any different recommended/required list of courses for SEAS vs CLAS. Obviously students are going to naturally gravitate towards their strengths for their elective courses. He really went back and forth over the 5th year of foreign language his Sr yr. UVa was the only school that was going to care about it. I think this can be a very personal call based on the studentâs profile, whatâs available at their school, etc. After speaking with both UVa admissions as well as a representative from SEAS during a visit and discussing his previous classes, extra curriculums, etc. it was advised there would be no additional âvalue addâ of taking another math/science/tech course. It was obvious he was strong in those areas and would continue to show that through AP Calc, AP Physics, and AP Comp Sci already scheduled his Sr yr. His greater benefit would be in showing strength in humanities and taking the 5th year of Spanish. Another student with a different profile obviously would have been given advise individual to them. My take away was look for the value add. Are you just reinforcing something already proven, or can you balance your profile with a strong course in another area. If you do decide to drop foreign language youâll want to replace it with another academic challenging course, such as your son plans to do with an additional AP Math.</p>
<p>I would advise anyone to call admissions and ask for advise, asking not just a blanket question âdo you want 5yrs foreign language for SEAS students?â. Be specific and ask about your situation given your previous courses taken, strengths, etc.</p>