Hi all,
I am signing up for high school senior year classes and was wondering which would be more beneficial to my college application:
Continuing my 4th year of Spanish next year and doing AP Spanish (so I will have done Spanish every year in high school and in 8th grade)
Doing an innovative business program at my school where you take classes at an off-site classroom. Regional business leaders come and present and you get to work on projects for companies in the area like Target, etc. This program combines regular classroom learning with real-world experience.
So… Are colleges more impressed by dedication to a foreign language or the business program?
Due to scheduling, I would take AP Stats instead of AP Calculus BC if I do the business program-maybe this impacts your suggestions?. Which of these math courses is more advantageous on a college application?
I’m not sure yet of what I’d like to major in in college, but I’m considering going to business or law school, whereas a Spanish degree is not an option.
We might go to the same school! (Sorry if that’s awkward.) I’m in Vantage, and it’s a fantastic program if you want to go into business. I really feel like I’ve gotten great job experience, and I’m learning a lot about working in a professional environment that I never would have known if I had taken normal classes. On the other hand, Spanish classes (even higher-level ones) are not a great way to learn a language. If you would like to continue with Spanish, it might be a good idea to take a class outside of school and go with the Vantage program.
I’ve been doing college interviews lately, and the interviewers are really impressed when I tell them I beta-tested a program for Target last semester. Definitely something that could help you get into business school.
It also depends on the kinds of classes you actually like. In my case, I would never have given up Spanish, even to take Vantage. But if you are considering going into business and are not really “into” Spanish, Vantage is probably the better option.
Many colleges require some level of competency in a foreign language for their liberal arts and business majors; taking a higher level in high school (and getting a good AP test score) may allow you to place into a higher level Spanish course in college, allowing you to complete such a requirement in fewer courses than if you had to start in a beginner or lower level course.
The choice really depends on the college you’re aiming for. Clearly top colleges will prefer AP Spanish + Calculus BC to the Vantage program (which is a semi-apprenticeship program). However, for less selective colleges, public universities in your state, or some (not all) business schools, Vantage could be an advantage.
