"Three" Years of Foreign Language

Applying to College
1

<p>I saw a similar thread about this but mine is a little different, so thanks for reading.</p>

<p>I am going into my junior year, and because of a scheduling conflict, I will not be continuing my study of a foreign language. This is actually okay (with me), as foreign language is taught horribly. However, will colleges care? The thing is, while I only took 2 years of language in high school, the foreign language program actually started in middle school, and I have completed the level 3 course. Will colleges just see this and find it acceptable, or will they notice that the level 3 course was in 10th grade and I dropped after that? Note that I am making up for this lack of a foreign language by taking an extra math and an extra science. But don't colleges want to see you are well rounded?</p>

<p>If I were to resume my foreign language studies in 12th grade, would this help?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>If the middle school Spanish class is on your transcript, you’re set. What are thinking of applying for?</p>

3

<p>I would actually considering majoring in a foreign language (or foreign languages). That obviously looks bad that I dropped it, but I could always write a note (somewhere?) with a reasoning. I do very well in the foreign language, and even study it on my own time and have a penpal, but I had a scheduling conflict and it’s taught horribly anyway.</p>

4

<p>You will receive credit for three years of foreign language provided your hs includes hs level classes taken in middle school on your transcript. It makes no difference if it is included in your GPA, only that it is shown.</p>

<p>Will it matter to schools how many years you take? That depends on the school. Some top tier schools do not like to see foreign language dropped in high school and consider it a core class. If it is dropped an academic class of considerable weight should replace it. For example, in your Sr if you drop foreign language but replace it with AP Comp Sci and are applying to an engineering dept, you are probably okay.</p>

<p>Check with target schools you are interested in. They should list ‘required’ and ‘recommended’ years. If your transcript is going to be highly competitive you can make an educated decision to take the required years. If your first choice is a reach and you want to put forth your most competitive application, having the ‘recommended’ years in all areas is going to be in your best interest. Do your homework. Don’t wait and find out next year that your dream school, UVa for example, actually requires 4 years, but recommends 5 years of foreign language. Next year would be too late to change the fact that you will not meet the ‘required’ years.</p>

5

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<p>You could put this into the ‘Additional Information’ section of the Common App, if your chosen school accepts it, or in a supplement/resume.</p>

6

<p>High school classes in middle school are definitely listed. If I do note that I had a scheduling conflict, will they make an exception?</p>

<p>Also, if a school requires 4 years and I took the foreign language in 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th grades, would that be okay?</p>

7

<p>^ The gap in study would be something to address with an admissions office. Ask them how they view this. My best guess is that yes, it would count as four years. The forth year may be difficult to pick up after a year break. If you stay fresh in your academic knowledge, reviewing a bit, you’ll be in a better position.</p>