Years of Foreign Language

Applying to College
1

I am planning my classes for next year (junior year), and am wondering if I should take AP Spanish Lang. Have already taken 3 years of Spanish, and received a 32 on the ACT as a sophomore, and would love to go to the Ivy League, MIT, Northwestern, etc. I know the admissions are extremely selective (< 7%) to some of these schools, so I am figuring any extra advantage I could get would be very helpful. Any advice on this subject? Thanks in advance.

2

Each college lists how many years they recommend in each subject. If you enjoy language and want to continue, and have room in your schedule, and aren’t sacrificing other important things, then the extra year is a good idea.

3

Taking a 4th year of a foreign language will not be an extra advantage at these schools. For most of these schools, that will be what most applicants will have. Additionally most of these schools have a foreign language requirement for graduation, so the more classes you take now, the fewer you need to take in college. Also, the 4th year does not have to be AP, if the balance of your schedule is sufficiently rigorous.

4

Thanks for the advice. I know Princeton and Harvard recommend 4, while Northwestern and MIT only require two. @Lindagaf

5

I figured most applicants would have 4 years, I guess I should have said I didn’t want to be put at a disadvantage while in the admissions process. Thanks for the help.

6

True, but you should plan your course schedule with the most stringent college recommendations in mind.

7

Note also that admissions officers aren’t bean counters. If you take French 4 your junior year because you took French 1 as an 8th grader, it still counts as four years of one language. All four years do not need to be in high school.

8

You have to think of a couple of things:

  1. What is the minimum requirements for an Ivy school. You have to have taken up to Spanish 4. LIke the above poster said, if you took Span 1 in 8th grade, then you will finish Span 4 in junior year.

  2. What will help your case for Ivy admission: There is nothing that says “take these courses and get in”. But I think that students who are admitted tend to take the most challenging courses and do well. They have a passion for learning.

9

My DD had no interest in French AP and took another science class. Take what you love.

10

IMO it is best to look at the requirements/recommendations for all of the colleges you are considering applying to and be sure they are met. If that means taking one more year of Spanish so be it. You can also check with your guidance counselor to see how things show up on your transcript (ex. my D’s honors Spanish in middle school was on her transcript as a HS course).