SFS requirements

<p>I'm beginning this fall at the SFS, and I'm wondering about the core curriculum. It seems like there are a bunch of required general courses. I'm not worried about them, but can anyone tell me about how much time I'll have to pursue other courses (maybe ones that also fall outside my major)? I'm still waiting on some AP scores to help me out with the humanities and econ requirements, but on the whole, will I be bogged down with required courses?</p>

<p>Sorry I'm posing this question, it might seem obvious, but since I won't be meeting with an academic advisor anytime soon..</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Well a lot of this come downs to what language you will be pursuing your proficiency in. The combination of having some AP credit, even if it's just elective, and pursuing a language you've already studied for four years in high school does free up time for other things. </p>

<p>Without any AP direct credit for core requirements or pre-existing college credit it takes around 2 years to complete the core. If you are continuing a language from high school and do have some AP credit you should be able to fulfill the core your major and at least one certificate program (aka minor in SFS-speak) within four years. Or not opt for a certificate and have some time to take a lighter load or some electives. </p>

<p>If you start a new language or two it's a bit of a different story for most people.</p>

<p>does having elective AP credit really help?</p>

<p>Yes. It'll let you take a lighter course load for a semester or two...let's say when starting an intensive language, or during senior year when you want to write a thesis for a certificate.</p>

<p>Would it be possible to learn 2 new langauges at GU? How about concentrating on one new one, and continuing other languages we took in high school?</p>

<p>Again depends on your AP/transfer credit situation, how much of a courseload you want to take and how ambitious you are. </p>

<p>My language for six years plus was Spanish and I just decided to drop it and started Russian from scratch this year which I am pursuing my proficiency in, and will be there for 2 months this summer. In the fall I am starting German from scratch in addition to having intensive second level Russian. I think I'm taking 18 credits which is closing in on the max. </p>

<p>So yeah it's possible. It depends on whether you really want to put yourself through that sort of thing or not. Two new languages is a lot even for a language person, but the language instruction at Georgetown is really unrivaled anywhere, so there's a huge pay-off in the end depsite kicking yourself while doing it.</p>