<p>Hey everyone, I am a high school junior and I have a question regarding Senior schedule. Before I start I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I'm not one of those people looking to skimp out senior year. I understand the strength of senior year curriculum. </p>
<pre><code> Now that that's over, I'm wondering if I should take AP Spanish 5 senior year. I already have my other 5 classes scheduled (I can have 6 full year classes, I can take a seventh but none of the classes that I want are offered in the 7th period slot). I will list them below just in case it may provide some insight.
</code></pre>
<p>AP Economics
AP Calculus
AP Biology
AP Language and Composition
Graphic Design (I don't want to take this class, it's just to fulfill my required art credit)
?AP Spanish 5?
?Translation and Interpretation? </p>
<pre><code> My high school is offering a new class next year called Translation and Interpretation (T&I). I'm debating if I should take this new class instead of AP Spanish 5. Technically the T&I class is an occupational education credit, but I have already fulfilled that credit so it would be an elective (I've been through AP Spanish 4 so if I took Spanish it would be an elective as well).
So, would it look better on a college application if I stayed in Spanish through level 5 and took it in senior year, or to take the T&I class?
My rationale behind staying in Spanish is: I know I would do well in the class (I understand Spanish well and I've already done all the work for the class in my spare time this year), I have a great rapport with the teacher, and am confident that I could get a 4 or 5 on the AP test.
My rationale behind taking the T&I class: I feel that it might show a connection to culture (I'm Caucasian and Spanish isn't my native language) and after taking the class I can take the state-run qualification test to certify myself as a translator. The test would be taken at the end of the school year so it wouldn't be on a college application but I might be able to find a part time job with that certification...
So, I apologize for the information overload and the lengthy post but I'd like to be as informative as I can be. I know I would do well in either class and the same teacher is instructing both of them, so it really just comes down to how good each course looks to a college. What do you guys think, which course should I take? Thank you very much for any insight you can offer.
</code></pre>
<p>Also, would a college even view this as a continuation of a language course, or would it strictly be seen as an occupation course (despite the fact that it would all be in Spanish)? I’d ask my counselor about this but the class is brand new and none of the counselors know much (if anything) about it.</p>
<p>Depending on where you want to go for college, I would talk Spanish 5 because 1) many colleges would like to see 4 years of the same foreign language and 2) if T&I is a new class, unless you know the teacher or the teacher has a reputation for being a great teacher, the class may turn out to be a dud and you may feel like guinea pigs with it being a new class. No one wants to spend their senior year in a class like that.</p>
<p>Hmm. I know the teacher very well. She is well qualified, knows a lot of about language and has herself served as a translator in various languages in the past. I feel as if I would learn an equal amount from both courses, so it really all comes down to which would look better on an application. I’m leaning toward AP Spanish 5 still.</p>
<p>Trying to put myself in the shoes of a college admission committee, if I saw T&I I would need to figure it out. It’s not a common course and even after I figure it out it may not resonate. But if I saw Spanish 5, it would resonate. It looks like a good balance to your other senior courses. I would mentally commend you for sticking with Spanish to the point where you’ll be taking the AP exam.</p>
<p>So if you have a deep passion for the new T&I course (something which doesn’t come through your message) then take it. Otherwise, take Spanish 5 (assuming it is the only option that you’re considering).</p>
<p>Personally, I think Translation & Interpretation would be WAAAAAAY more interesting than a typical Spanish Lit. class (which is probably what your Spanish 5 is). You would be really looking at what the author or speaker’s intent is, and trying to convey that intent as accurately as possible. This is a real art. If you are good at it, you can make serious money as a translator or interpreter. Just think, while all of your pals are scooping ice cream during the summers, you could be on the payroll of your state or local court system, or working for a hospital, TV news station, etc. The possibilities for skilled translators and interpreters are nearly endless.</p>
<p>Not to mention of course that lots of people take AP Spanish 5. The T&I would really set you apart from all the other applicants. Doing well in T&I indicates that you are truly very fluent in the language.</p>
<p>My vote is for the AP Spanish 5, which I think would be more academically rigorous and respected than an occupational course like Translation & Interpretation. Also, I don’t see that taking T&I would demonstarte more of a “connection to culture” than AP Spanish 5.</p>
<p>An occupational course is usually meant for those entering the job market upon graduation from high school. </p>
<p>If you are aiming for a top college, take AP Spanish 5. You can take occupational or professional courses once you are in college or graduate school.</p>
<p>"You can take occupational or professional courses once you are in college or graduate school.'</p>
<p>True, but formal coursework in Translation and Interpretation is hard to find. Very few institutions offer it. This is a very special opportunity for the right students.</p>
<p>All valid and insightful arguments. Too bad they’re not all for the same option =/ . </p>
<p>At this point I think I’m going to go with AP Spanish 5. I personally believe that it would look better on an application and I could take the AP test to prove excellence in the course work. </p>
<p>As I have said before, the same teacher instructs both courses so I might be able to work something out with her and do all of the course work for T&I at home and take the certification test independently. Right now the most appealing aspect of the T&I course is the possibility for a job. If I take the AP course and still take the translation qualification course (assuming that’s possible) then I get the best of both worlds. If this is possible then I know the instructor will be willing to accommodate me.</p>
<p>So I think I’m pretty much decided on this option. If anyone else has anything to say please feel free. Otherwise, thanks to everyone who expressed their opinions.</p>