I am currently a sophomore and in Spanish 3. I really don’t want to take AP Spanish 4. Next year I will be in an independent study of multi variable calculus and possibly something like linear algebra senior year… Currently I plan on taking AP physics 1 and do AP physics C instead of Spanish. I will also take some sort of physics independent study in senior year. Will this really hurt my application to only have 2 years of Spanish but be extremely strong in math/science.
Thanks
Addition: Looking to apply to very selective schools (MIT princeton yale…ect)
If you’re in Spanish 3 , it means u have 3 years.
If you finished a third year of Spanish, you should be OK for selective schools since your math/science courses will be strong.
I started 9th grade in spanish 2
maybe your guidance counselor can explain when he/she write his/her letter of recommendation. it shouldn’t hurt you tbh.
The level achieved is what matters to colleges.
^as IrrationalPepsi said,for Foreign Language and Math, level reached is what matters. So if you reached Spanish 3, you’re fine.
I also am a student willing to enter very selective schools. For those selective engineering/computer schools, I do recommend taking math and science classes. I looked at MIT’s website, and I found they recommend having at least 3 years of foreign language, which means that you can stop at Spanish 3, French 3, etc. (they assume you aren’t testing out). Besides, Spanish 4 is essentialy Spanish literature, and these selective schools like Yale and MIT focus more on math and sciences rather than… Spanish Literature or… European History (I mean, they do like it that you’re taking AP classes, but again, they look more in the STEM area, not Arts and Humanities and other programs of study). So overall, I think you’re fine.
Actually, MIT has an extensive culture-based foreign language program. Many students choose to take some foreign language classes for their HASS requirement.
Yale considers AP in a foreign language is the default level, and from that level you have three paths to complete your requirement (low level in AP, normal level in AP, new language). There are also 2 paths for students who are “behind” compared to the default level.
At Tufts, there are 3 courses to take after AP, or 6 courses total.
For admission purpose, an AP Foreign Language is considered equivalent in rigor to AP Calculus. It’s part of the “core” APs.
(Spanish 4 isn’t Literature yet: after Spanish 3, you may have Spanish 4 or AP Spanish Language, AND THEN AP Spanish Literature.)