HS language choice —does it matter

[Anonymous]

My DD needs to choose her language. Do colleges care? If could see something like Mandarin being more impressive but what about German v Spanish? What if she wants to go pre-med.


Thanks!

[Anonymous]

They do not care what language, just how far you get. Have her pick what she’s interested in.

[Anonymous]

No one cares

[Anonymous]

As someone who works in another field where I provide direct care I wish every day I had picked Spanish.

I am not saying Spanish will help you get in, but it will almost certainly help in a medical career.

[Anonymous]

I don't have anything to base this on: but if rigor matters why wouldn't a harder language like: Mandarin not count? I can see if you have am Asian last-name you picked the easy way out.

What about someone that didn't grow up with Mandarin - doesn't that show rigor and some character?

I'm not saying it's a hook but if on the fence with someone that did Spanish?

[Anonymous]

I made my kids take Latin (in addition to a modern language of their choice) in the belief that it would improve their English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have anything to base this on: but if rigor matters why wouldn't a harder language like: Mandarin not count? I can see if you have am Asian last-name you picked the easy way out.

What about someone that didn't grow up with Mandarin - doesn't that show rigor and some character?

I'm not saying it's a hook but if on the fence with someone that did Spanish?

Asia is a big place. Amazingly, not everyone speaks Mandarin.

[Anonymous]

Please have your kid choose the language she wants to study. Is she a rising freshman? Let her experience and enjoy HS without you trying to curate her college app.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD needs to choose her language. Do colleges care? If could see something like Mandarin being more impressive but what about German v Spanish? What if she wants to go pre-med.


Thanks!

German?! You’re not in the DMV, are you?

[Anonymous]

My DD took ASL and numerous people told me that "no credible college" would take it and she is going to a great school with 4 years of ASL and wants to be an interpreter. I think this would come in handy in the medical field.

[Anonymous]

Careful with Mandarin - It's very hard as a non-native speaker! I know 2 (non-Asian) parents who pushed their kids to take it thinking it would stand out on their college app and their kids did badly in the class and couldn't get through the AP level. Meanwhile my DC took Spanish and got A+ all the way through + 5 on the AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have anything to base this on: but if rigor matters why wouldn't a harder language like: Mandarin not count? I can see if you have am Asian last-name you picked the easy way out.

What about someone that didn't grow up with Mandarin - doesn't that show rigor and some character?


I'm not saying it's a hook but if on the fence with someone that did Spanish?

I don't think it matters. There are good persuasive reasons to learn Spanish too.. Just do what you find interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD took ASL and numerous people told me that "no credible college" would take it and she is going to a great school with 4 years of ASL and wants to be an interpreter. I think this would come in handy in the medical field.

My DC had a 3.99 UW GPA, 1550 SAT and otherwise rigorous course schedule, but I think taking ASL did impact their admission to some schools and honors college admission at others.

It was still the right choice for them, and they chose a college where they could continue to pursue ASL, but I think they’d have had better college admission results staying on track for AP Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD needs to choose her language. Do colleges care? If could see something like Mandarin being more impressive but what about German v Spanish? What if she wants to go pre-med.


Thanks!

German?! You’re not in the DMV, are you?

DP here. We are in LCPS and German is still offered.

[Anonymous]

No, it doesn't matter which one.