<p>I took French 1 in middle school and did okay (B+). I did French 2 Honours at my former high school in the US. It was a pretty rigorous course (B+). This, and a B+ in Alg. II Honors (I was two years accelerated in math there) and a middle school tech course are my worst grades. I'm not into sob stories, but my life was/has been less than ideal. My family was split up for financial reasons, there were some untimely demises, immigration concerns etc.</p>
<p>In sophomore year, I moved to Canada (AB). I have done markedly better there in a top 10 school in the province and that is a magnet/geared for 'gifted' kids (worst grade is 91) though my situation has still been tough. I have participated in ECs, stretched myself academically, learned lots and generally grew up. I don't think my success is contingent on going to a top US school and I will quite comfortably get into school in Canada. </p>
<p>That being said, I am still throwing in some apps for fun to see what might happen. I have one question re: foreign language requirements. I did not take a French course (my preferred FL) in grade 10 because the teacher at the school taught an entirely different curriculum. This is just a personal opinion, of course, but I knew a lot of the things that were beyond the curriculum but since the vocab I learnt was quite different from what she wanted taught, I could not accelerate. </p>
<p>I noticed a while back on Harvard's website (I will SCEA either there or Yale):</p>
<p>
[quote]
Many secondary school students take a smattering of several languages for example, Latin for two years, French for a year, and Spanish for a year. When it is too late, they realize that they cannot read or speak any of these languages well. We urge you to try to study at least one foreign language and its literature for four years. Continuity of study is important, too, because a "year off" from a language can be a real setback. Once you are comfortably fluent, you will possess that language and better appreciate the culture it has shaped for the rest of your life.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I very honestly wish to master French, because it's a lovely language and I consider it civic duty. However, my only option for French now are distance learning courses. Practicality and tediousness of FL online aside, the "French 10" content is not very advanced and does not align well with the level I departed on. ** The teacher is, however, very kindly letting me speed through it for review and do enrichment along the way so I can maybe write the grade 11 or 12 'final exam' for credit after completing the French 10 course instead of slogging through grade 11 and 12 french during the school year. So, I am just wondering if Harvard would be okay with this plan of action? **</p>
<p>What I am thinking is: complete the French 10 course by the EA deadline and either sign up for the French 11 course to finish out 1st term and French 12 for the second term, or simply take time out and challenge the French 12 exam (I'd get credit for French 11 and 12). This would give me three years of French on application and five by the time of graduation. I don't want to try and write the final exam for French 12 for credit right off the bat because I am already responsible for independent studies in English and Math, where I have exhausted my school's resources. </p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>If it helps, my schedule through 10/11/12 (my school actually counts grade 9 as HS unlike most schools in my province but I'm not worried about that because frosh year was at a well known public HS)</p>
<p>I got credit for: Science 10, Math 10, 11 and 12, Biology 11, Chemistry 11</p>
<p>* Grade 10 1st term * : Calc AB, Social 10, English 10, Chem 12 (30, but I'm simplifying)
* Grade 10 2nd term * : Calc BC, English 11, Physics 11
* Grade 11 1st term * : AP English Lit, AP World History 1st term (had to self study cuz schedule conflict), Biology 12/AP 1st term, Independent Research Project (completed, for credit)
* Grade 11 2nd term * : English 12, AP World History/Social 11, Biology 12/AP 2nd term, Independent Study Multivariable Calculus (for credit, w/ project, should be done soon)</p>
<p>Summer: Religion project for credit, French 10 I guess</p>
<p>* Grade 12 1st term * :
1) AP Euro 1st term (half credit)
2) AP Physics/Grade 12 Physics 1st term (full credit)
3) Independent Study - AP English Lang (for full credit)
4) 'CALM' - basically health - grade req
5) Gym (basically at the same time as CALM, half credits back to back, grade req)
6) Independent Study - Linear Algebra (for credit),
7) French 20 or challenge the exam [preferred], </p>
<p>* Grade 12 2nd term *:
1) AP Euro 2nd term (half credit)
2) AP Physics/Grade 12 Physics 2nd term
3) Independent Study AP Statistics (for credit)
4) Independent Study AP Lang - I'm self teaching English, so I think it's better a full year course
5) French 30 or write the final exam
6) Grade 12 social studies (separate class, full credit)</p>
<p>I'm signed up for Philosophy as well, but I don't know if the class will be even offered. It's a small school and my class isn't super into it. </p>
<p>I've taken all AP classes offered and definitely pushed myself, so I'm not worried about the rigour as much as whether I meet the requirements. Will this be okay? I don't want to spend money/time on apps if I already hurt myself. I'm going to have my GC explain the issues and help with the profile - he's a really amazing person. </p>
<p>Any thoughts will be appreciated and please excuse this wall of text. I didn't know to explain this situation without going into the past :-/. Thanks in advance! :)</p>