Question about senior course selection for W&M admissions

<p>My son who is a junior really hopes to attend W&M. He is currently taking AP Calculus AB and honors Latin IV (his school's AP equivalent). Since he started both tracks in 8th grade he will have completed four years of high school math and Latin by the end of junior year. We are wondering if he would be at any admissions disadvantage if he chooses not to take Calculus BC or Latin V next year, as neither is one of his main areas of interest. He will take at least two other APs senior year (English and Science, possibly a history elective). He has a 4.0 unweighted GPA so far, if that factors into the analysis. Appreciate any advice! Thanks.</p>

<p>Typically, middle school credits do not count as one of the years that colleges count. For instance a year of French in 8th grade and three in HS only counts as 3 years to colleges. So if a school requires 4 years of math he must take 4 math classes in high school. A possible course he could take is AP Stats as it tends to be easier than Calc BC. Also, if he takes physics instead of Latin that would be OK seeing as W&M loves to see physics. </p>

<p>I am sure W&M admissions will chime in but I believe they state the language requirement as completing the fourth level- not necessarily 4 years- so if for example, someone skipped right into a level 2 class due to some experience with the language and had only 3 years but completed the fourth level, this would count.</p>

<p>Also- it depends on what type of middle school math. If it is a high school course, it probably will show up. . If you are an FCPS student for example, your high school transcript will show the HS credits that you took in middle school. So for example, my son took Algebra and Algebra 2 in middle school- both showed on his transcript as high school credits. </p>

<p>Thanks for the replies so far. I hope W&M will weigh in, because we don’t want to screw up! I think he took Algebra I at least in middle school, and he says it is on his transcript. There are no math classes left at his school except BC and Stats. I have heard it doesn’t make sense to take BC after AB. AP Stats conflicts with a senior thesis program at his school that is considered a big honor to do, and he really wants to do that.</p>

<p>I went back and looked at the wording as was reminded that they don’t require 4 years of Foreign Language to get in, they require it to get out! So if you have the fourth year of HS that is equivalent to 4 college semesters, then you are good- it doesn’t matter when you took it, it matters what level it is. They don’t have many absolute requirements to get in- but there are certain things that I know they really like to see- Physics being one of them. I think you are fine on the math and the foreign language and I would make sure that you take Physics next year.</p>

<p>We would absolutely recommend that he take math next year (BC Calc or AP Stats are both fine options). We like to see students pursue the core subjects each year if possible. As for Latin, if he doesn’t want to take Latin V, that’s okay given he has Latin IV but he should take another strong/rigorous academic course in its place.</p>

<p>Thank you for the response!</p>