Spanish 4

Hi all,

I was considering taking Spanish 4 senior year, because I know a lot of selective colleges like to see Spanish for all four years. Is it okay to drop Spanish for AP Statistics though? I have no open periods on my schedule, so it can only be one of the two. I am also taking Multivariable Calculus Honors, AP English Lang , AP Physics C, AP Psychology.

I don’t really like Spanish, but I’m concerned that it is important to get into a good school. I want to major in CS and am targeting selective UC’s / CMU / UMich / Harvey Mudd. Let me know what you think is best!

Should I take Spanish 4 and drop AP Stats?

Check how many years of foreign languages is needed for these schools. If they require three or less, take stats. If you are required to take four, then take year 4 spanish.

Many schools would recommend more than two years of FL. For competitive schools, you should treat any recommended as required for a better chance.

Based on the rigor of the rest of your schedule, I think you’d be fine. I think most schools only recommend 3 years of a language, but of course you should double check the schools you are interested in. FWIW, my S only took 3 years and he is at Mudd.

Your question wasn’t about this, but depending on how much of an aversion to taking a foreign language you have you may want to check what the schools’ requirements to graduate are. Some schools require you take a foreign language, though you might be able to test out of it as well.

But check what the colleges’ foreign language graduation requirements are. Completing a higher level in high school may allow completing the college’s foreign language graduation requirement with fewer courses, allowing more schedule space for electives (in-major or out-of-major) in college.

AP statistics is not an especially useful course for a CS major, since a CS major will likely have to take a calculus-based statistics course (or find that material embedded in another course) rather than be able to apply AP statistics credit toward such a requirement.