World language: MCPS requirements vs. selective STEM college admissions

[Anonymous]

Is dropping a world language in 10th grade allowed for MCPS graduation, if the kid started the language in middle school and reached level 4 in 9th grade? Ie, do language credits count when taken in middle school? MCPS graduation info says 2 world language credits are needed.

If kid wants to major in STEM, has done most science APs and electives, plus a lab research internship and science competitions, are selective colleges going to look askance at this language situation?

[Anonymous]

Post in colleges forum if you are looking for selective stem admissions info.

[Anonymous]

For selective college admissions, I’d recommend at least completing this year to have four years of language.

I believe he’d be fine for MCPS graduation with the middle school credits but definitely confirm with counselor in writing and read requirements yourself. But the CW has been that UMD requires two years IN high school. Lots of rumors on both fronts so I’d triple check and email UMD to ask. But even if they said not required, I’d still worry about admission. Personally, I’d stick it out for rest of year to be safe. If that’s not possible, consider two years of ASL if languages are presenting learning challenges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For selective college admissions, I’d recommend at least completing this year to have four years of language.

I believe he’d be fine for MCPS graduation with the middle school credits but definitely confirm with counselor in writing and read requirements yourself. But the CW has been that UMD requires two years IN high school. Lots of rumors on both fronts so I’d triple check and email UMD to ask. But even if they said not required, I’d still worry about admission. Personally, I’d stick it out for rest of year to be safe. If that’s not possible, consider two years of ASL if languages are presenting learning challenges.

I’ll add some top schools, most notably UVA, would prefer to see AP level reached. But I don’t think it’s worth torturing yourself for three more years to please them if you really hate the class. I think finishing this year though would be very helpful, if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is dropping a world language in 10th grade allowed for MCPS graduation, if the kid started the language in middle school and reached level 4 in 9th grade? Ie, do language credits count when taken in middle school? MCPS graduation info says 2 world language credits are needed.

If kid wants to major in STEM, has done most science APs and electives, plus a lab research internship and science competitions, are selective colleges going to look askance at this language situation?

MS language credits count towards graduation. You can see this in ParentVUE -- HS language classes, whether taken in MS or HS, beyond the 2 credits required, start to get counted as electives.

As for selective colleges, I would imagine it depends on the particulars of the selective college, even within a particular tranche/academic focus. Harvey Mudd may seek something different from Carnegie Mellon. Even STEM-oriented universities appreciate breadth, and language acquisition helps ever more with collaboration.

[Anonymous]

What STEM jobs do you expect your kid to get? Many STEM grads graduating without jobs because there aren’t enough. Unfortunately. They don’t have the soft skills to pivot and do anything else because they specialized on one track for so long.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of stem jobs but they don't hire stem people. They don't care about Americans who devote themselves to science education. I guess it's because our education system is really crappy.