<p>My daughter took 2 years of French in Junior high which equated to French 1 at the high school level. She has now taken French 2 as a Freshman and French 3 as a sophomore.</p>
<p>Upon arriving in French 4 this last week, the teacher took her aside and suggested that she skip French 4 and instead enroll in AP French 5. DD decided to go ahead with that - and is now enrolled in French 5 as a Junior. The school does not offer a French 6 so this will be it for French in High School.</p>
<p>This raises the obvious CC question:</p>
<p>When filling college apps, does she put down </p>
<p>a) 5 years of a foreign languages (since she will have complete French 5)</p>
<p>b) 4 years since she did not take French 4</p>
<p>c) 3 years since that is all the elapsed time in a high school classroom.</p>
<p>Can anyone think of other potential complications?</p>
<p>Three years. They will see that she skipped on her transcripts and know she obviously excelled at the subject. At any rate, on college applications, one usually just lists the classes taken without totaling the years taken so the question is likely moot.</p>
<p>Look at each application. I've looked at a few recently and agree with Bessie--there hasn't been a question ("How many years of language have you had?"). The request has been--"list the language classes you have taken in high school." I would list French 1 & 2 on the same line (and in parentheses --grades 7/8), and then list the high school classes on the next lines (French 2,3 AP French 5).</p>
<p>Two years of middle school foreign language usually equal one year of HS- that's why French 2 was freshman year. 4 years of French regardless of which level she takes. </p>
<p>Some/many colleges/universities have a foreign language requirement for graduation which can be met by HS years combined with college semesters. Taking 4 HS years of one foreign language or 3 of one plus 2 of a second language will meet those reqs (or 3 HS years of one, plus 2 colleges semesters of a second language, for example). It makes sense to take 4 years of the same foreign language in HS (including those 2 from middle school as one HS year) to meet the college reqs for graduation (passing the classes- no minimum grades needed). The advantage of taking AP French would be a more rigorous, probably more fun, course that looks good on the record.</p>
<p>Taking the AP exam could net some college credits as well, depending on the school. However, if the student wants to continue that language in college a placement test would be required, regardless of the AP exam score. Also, some of the elite colleges may require a competency test in the foreign language before allowing it to meet their graduation reqs, the more rigorous course (AP) would better prepare a student for that.</p>
<p>Thank you one and all for your responses... I went on line and checked a number of schools and Bessie was right - when they ask for the classes it is what you are actually taking (e.g. the UCs simply have you self report your transcript.) The whole idea of "3 years of a language" or "4 years of a language" only appears in the summary admissions information and not on the application.</p>
<p>So I guess it is a no brainer - take the more advanced class and skip languages in her senior year. Lots of other things she wants to take so that will be good!!!</p>
<p>You also might want to plan on her taking the SAT Subject test in June, after she finishes her last year of the language. Some colleges use that score to waive the college graduation language requirement.</p>