<p>I'm a rising senior in high school and I have a scheduling conflict. I have only taken 2 years of Chinese and I have the option of taking a 3rd year at a nearby high school since my high school doesn't offer it. The reason I have taken 2 years of Chinese is that I took it at my previous high school, before I transferred to my new school. However, by choosing to take the 3rd year of Chinese, I'd have to drop AP environmental science in order for me to have enough time to get to and from the school that offers Chinese in time. If I do drop AP environmental science, I'll have completed 5 APs instead of my intended 6. </p>
<p>Would it be a better idea to just take the 3rd year of Chinese, since I know many colleges do recommend 3 or even 4 years of a foreign language, or should I just deal with having 2 years of Chinese and take APES? I'm mainly applying to UCs and also a couple of reach schools (UPenn, Northwestern).</p>
<p>humm…may be a tough call. A couple of questions: What science classes have you taken,plan to take Sr. year? Are you of Chinese heritage-where 3 years might be viewed differently than someone who is Latina, for example. Did you garner 5’s on the APs you have taken thus far? Have you thought about what you want to major in as an undergrad?
~APOL-a Mum</p>
<p>Many schools want to see the third or fourth level of foreign language, and taking the third or fourth level of foreign language will likely help you if you want to continue studies in that language. Also, some schools have foreign language graduation requirements that are higher than admission requirements (e.g. a university may allow high school second level for admission, but have a graduation requirement that requires high school third or fourth level if not satisfied with college courses or placement testing).</p>
<p>AP Environmental Science is a relatively low value AP course for subject credit at a university.</p>
<p>So far I’ve taken 3 APs: AP Euro (3), AP bio (5), and AP calc a/b (5). Besides AP environmental, I’m taking AP gov and AP calc b/c this year. The science classes I’ve taken include H. coordinated science 1, physics, chemistry, and AP Bio. AP environmental science was the only science I had planned on taking senior year. As for majors, I’m considering possibly bio or economics, but I’m probably going to apply as undeclared.</p>
<p>I am of Chinese heritage, although I can barely speak or write it.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve heard that having 3 or 4 years of a foreign language is important. I’ve also heard that AP environmental science isn’t that useful. I’m just slightly concerned that colleges won’t think I’m “challenging” myself enough because my school is pretty competitive, with many students taking 8 or more APs.</p>