<p>The Spanish 3 teacher at my high school is notoriously difficult.
For example, coming in junior year, there were 10 tied for number one. 5 of those 10 chose to take spanish 3, all got B's. Fortunately, I did not do that.</p>
<p>Now, coming in Senior year, I have the choice of whether I want to take Spanish 3. If I do, I will most likely get a B, which will, of course, ruin my GPA (4.0 currently) and put me out of the race for Val.</p>
<p>Also, If I do not take Spanish 3, I will take AP Environmental Science instead. </p>
<p>To help you put it into perspective, the schools I will be applying to include Harvard and Stanford. They both recommended 3+ years of foreign language.</p>
<p>So, to sum it up: Will it look better for these colleges if I take 3 yrs of foreign language or if I have a 4.0 GPA and become Val.?</p>
<p>I know this is kind of confusing, so please feel free to ask if you need clarification.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to anyone who will take the time to help me out!</p>
<p>If a school you are applying to recommends a certain pattern of courses and that school is a selective school, it would be wise to follow their recommendations.</p>
<p>To put the "race for valedictorian" in perspective, your ranking at the end of JUNIOR year is VERY important and is considered in admissions at most schools, but the title of valedictorian is bestowed long after admissions decisions are made and really has no bearing on their decision.</p>
<p>Pursuing valedictorian would be for your own satisfaction only and will not help you in admissions.</p>
<p>(I have NO skill in chancing or any expertise about the schools you are applying to... so hopefully you will get some more reliable opinions as well!)</p>
<p>You can opt out and take Spanish 3 at the local community college for credit - I knew lots of classmates who did that and still received school credit due to signing specific forms.</p>
<p>^ If you read my post above, when I meant taking a Spanish class at a local community college for credit, it is dual enrollment - so you CAN replace that slot with AP Environmental Science :P</p>
<p>Oh...good thinking...very good thinking...
in fact... haha...
I might do that</p>
<p>So then for college apps (specifically the commonapp), I know there is an area where I put senior work load, but would I be able to include a community college class in that space? Or is it only for high school related courses?</p>
<p>In other words, how will colleges know that I am taking this class, since it won't be on the transcript my school sends them...</p>
<p>Because I'm looking at the common app website right now, and besides having that "senior work load" area, the only other related thing says: If have you taken any courses at a College or University for credit, check this box"</p>
<p>That's in the past tense though... and the Spanish class I might take will be an intention</p>
<p>If you looked at the Common App closely, you should be able to put it under the "other college or university credit" section. They might've changed it this year. </p>
<p>Also, depending on how your school works, they could include the community college class on your HS transcript, or you have to enter it seperately as a community college transcript in addition to the HS transcript.</p>
<p>Edit: My high school offers applications for high school credit concurrently with CC credit, so ask your counselor or administrators for these forms. I live in California, where community colleges work very closely with both high schools and UCs/CSUs, so it may be a different case for you. You can also look to see if you can register for Fall Semester classes NOW so you can list it on your common application. It's nearing September, so you have to look into your options if you are going for this route.</p>
<p>Solution: Don't take the extra Spanish class, become Valedictorian, but take another Spanish class online to compensate. I had this exact situation, that's what I did, perfect.</p>
<p>"An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math; four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language."</p>
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<p>Although H talks about an "ideal" HS schedule, remember that your competition will be extremely stiff, many applicants will have 5 years of a language (through AP), not to mention more than one language. IMO, having only 2 years of a language would be a red flag because they want you to show competency and Spanish 2 does not demonstrate this. I looked at your Chances thread, and you've taken AP Bio & AP Physics, I don't understand how you will only have 3 yrs of science without AP Environ. Sci.?</p>
<p>Ah ha, so at your school, you can go straight to AP Bio & AP Phys with out regular or Honors. Wow, wish our school would do that. Two years ago they made Bio AND Chem prerequisites for AP Bio and this year they made Chem AND Physics prerequisites for AP Chem. It really reeks havoc on scheduling!</p>
<p>Anyway, I really urge you to take Spanish 3, either in HS or a CC. Here's something else from H's website:</p>
<p>You should leave secondary school knowing at least one foreign language well enough to read it easily and pronounce it acceptably. Knowing a foreign language enables you to enter another culture and to understand its ideas and its values. A fundamental aspect of language-learning must be a grasp of vocabulary and syntax that allows you to read novels, plays, poems, and magazines, with as much of a native speaker's comprehension as possible. We have found that students who have mastered a foreign language before they come to Harvard take more language courses here than those who have not. Indeed, these students often embark on the study of languages not commonly taught in American secondary schools.</p>
<p>Many secondary school students take a smattering of several languages – for example, Latin for two years, French for a year, and Spanish for a year. When it is too late, they realize that they cannot read or speak any of these languages well. We urge you to try to study at least one foreign language and its literature for four years. Continuity of study is important, too, because a "year off" from a language can be a real setback. Once you are comfortably fluent, you will possess that language – and better appreciate the culture it has shaped – for the rest of your life."</p>
<p>entomom, you read the chances thread i just posted for Harvard right?
Well, putting this situation into perspective with all that info in that thread, how would you say my chances would be affected were I to NOT take Spanish III?</p>
<p>Grades: excellent
SAT I: excellent
SAT II's: great (I absolutely disagree with you that you should try to improve on a 780/770. Taking more tests is unnecessary, you already have 4 over 700 and 2 over 750. I would recommend spending your time on writing killer essays as more tests or 20 pts higher will make a negligible difference in your application.)
HS courses: I really believe that only 2 years of a language will weaken your application. Truthfully, I wouldn't recommend taking AP Environ Sci, why not AP Chem?</p>
<p>ECs: OK. Did any of the summer activities you attended have competitive admissions? I'm seeing some leadership, but nothing outstanding. Most importantly, I'm not getting a feel for a specific strong interest (I hate saying passion).</p>
<p>I look at admissions to the very select schools as having 2 phases. The first is to be a competitive candidate with the basic academic accomplishments that H details on their website (assuming no hook). As I said, I think the lack of a language could be a problem with this first level. And I'm not seeing anything to necessarily balance out the lower level of language accomplishment (eg. several college courses in a specific discipline). </p>
<p>The second level is the one people are always talking about being a "lottery", in that final selection depends on factors which you can't predict or control. In this phase the more intangible parts of your application (ECs, essays, etc.) may sway AOs in your favor or not. This is the part where you want to make an impression and make them want a person with your interests at H.</p>
<p>This is how I perceive the application process, but other than having one kid go through the process, I don't have any more insider information than anyone else on this board, any maybe less ;).</p>
<p>@ entomom: yea, concerning the AP Chem, my school doesn't offer that. The only science courses left for me are AP Environmental or Human Anatomy (<-- this is for non-honors kids though).</p>