I’m a high school student in the 9th grade. Being that it’s the 2nd semester already, it’s almost time to choose our classes for the next year. I did another thread about whether to double up in science or Spanish III, and many people told me to take Spanish. At first, I took the advice, but then I kept reconsidering. In my Spanish II class right now, we just do a lot of paper work and don’t speak Spanish at all. I just think it’s a waste of time. I don’t want that possibility of having a class where we don’t do anything, when I could’ve been taking a class that benefits me more. I’m aiming for Rice University or University of Texas. So should I quit Spanish or take the risk?
Many better colleges want 3 and sometimes even prefer 4 years of a foreign language for admission. It seems Rice and UT both want 2 years, but you should check properly for yourself. You should also be aware that you might be limiting yourself in terms of other schools that over the next 3 years you might become aware of and want to apply to.
Do you know if high schools allow students to take language classes over summer?
That’s school dependent. Ask your guidance counselor. It’s always preferable to do summer school via your own district if possible as it should automatically get added to your transcript, etc if you do.
I’d vote for getting as solid an education in math and science as possible in a US high school.
Agree that most top colleges want a minimum of 3 and preferably 4 years of foreign language. I would absolutely stick with Spanish. The colleges you are considering have very low acceptance rates and most of the applicants will have completed all of the required/recommended HS coursework. Colleges look for students to get a solid, well rounded education in HS. Reasons such as the teacher is not good, I’d rather double up on a subject I prefer etc. are not generally considered to be valid excuses for not continuing with foreign language.
If you choose to take Spanish in the summer then that will be at the expense of doing something that you would find more interesting during that time.
The kid is a HS freshman, so I vote that she get a solid grounding in core subjects first. She can double up later in her HS career.
In general, when a college takes the time to guide students by suggesting appropriate HS preparation, they are doing so with the expectation that applicants will heed the advice unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Extenuating circumstances include :
• Applicant is an international student following a curriculum that does not align with the American standard. (e.g. UK)
• Schedule conflicts preclude the student from achieving the recommendations (in which case, the GC should say so in the GC rec)
• For pedagogical reasons, the HS does not start study in a core subject until sophomore year.
Extenuating circumstances do not include:
• The applicant chooses to double up on one core subject at the expense of another core subject
• The applicant does not like a certain subject
• The teacher of a certain subject sucks.
Colleges want to see foreign language involvement over a year, so I’d stick to it
Rice recommends/requires that an applicant take at least 2 years of a language. https://oir.rice.edu/additional-resources/common-data-set. If you do not find the current class challenging, is there an honors or AP Spanish course you can take?
Stick with Spanish. You’d be taking too many potential schools off the table without it and it’s too soon to know if you’ll be competitive for Rice and UT.
I like your thought of taking Spanish during the summer. Talk to your Guidance Counselor about your options.
If you are in Texas you can most likely find an extra-curricular activity to learn/practice/utilize Spanish which will make it more interesting and also show more to colleges when you apply.
As you get into higher levels of Spanish, the class will get more challenging because only the more interested students are taking it
You are in 9th grade. Go ahead and take the classes that you really want in 10th grade. Chances are that you will learn more and get better grades because of that interest. As for Spanish, you will still have time in 11th and 12th grade to go back and pick up 3rd and even 4th year Spanish if you want to then. You also have time to find a more interesting Spanish course elsewhere if you want to - maybe a summer program or a class at a community college.