At my school there are 7 slots for classes but almost everyone has a free period to take up one of those slots, and our school discourages taking a seventh course although it is possible with a petition. I have taken Spanish since junior kindergarten and this year (junior year) I am in Spanish 450 (basically level 4 accelerated). Honestly, I really dislike Spanish, I do get good grades (at lowest A-, but first trimester I got an A), but I just have zero interest in the subject, as I really want to focus on science and math courses. My senior year I want to take 5 APs (Bio, BC Calc, Physics, Comp Sci Principles, and Psych) and then my school requires you to take an English. I just don’t have space for Spanish and if it were up to me I would drop it no question, but I have heard by so many people it looks bad to colleges. Does the fact that I’m taking 5 APs next year and I am already taking Spanish 450 negate that?
It depends on what college and what major but 5 in one year is more than expected and you should be fine with not taking AP spanish. Especially with foreign languages, the level you reach matters more and to me it seems like you are at the highest level you can be without taking AP so you are fine. Also in your case, it seems stupid to drop one of your other classes to take spanish since you are actually interested in all those other clases.
Also the number of APs is a minor factor in you application. Sure it shows you took challenging classes but dont get hung up on the numbers. I know people who get into great schools with just 5 APs and rejected from the same schools with 10 APs.
Yeah for more reference, I do want to go to a more selective school (Davidson is an example of the type of school) and for now I either want to major in Chemistry or Computer Science (I’m taking both of those right now). I know more selective schools would like to see four years of language but my level (450) is the equivalent of 4 years of language at another school (I go to a private school with a good Spanish program).
Your completion of 4th level Spanish is good enough for any selective college - no need to take AP! It’s better to focus on math/science if that’s what your intended major will be.
They usually mean they want you at a level that is equivalent to 4 years and since you have been taking Spanish for much longer you are already past that level. If you have space in your schedule to fit AP spanish by all means take it but I don’t think it’s worth dropping a class you much rather take just for that reason. You should be fine without it.
If you have taken 3 yrs of Spanish during HS, then that is enough, especially if your true interests lie elsewhere.
Only the MOST competitive colleges ask for 4 yrs of a foreign language. So that should be considered, if you are planning on applying to HYPS, etc, etc.
What I WOULD recommend you do is take the Spanish [ not listening !!] subject test at the end of this school year. A high score [700+] in that test will allay any concerns about your knowledge of Spanish and may in fact allow you to not have to take any foreign language classes in colleges[ again, for the colleges that do have a foreign language requirement for graduation]
One question for you- have you taken ANY AP classes already? If so which ones?
5 is a LOT, especially in those heavy duty subjects.
You will ALSO have to devote time to college applications during the first semester, and trust me, that can be like having a part time job, on top of all the homework and any EC’s you may have.
If you completed Spanish 4 then you are fine.
You heard wrong. Completing level 4 is sufficient. See this:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1802227-faq-foreign-language.html#latest