Drop foreign language after 10th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA wants to see four years in the same language. If AP or Honors is offered, take it.

This. Wish we had known.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid hated foreign language and wanted to take more science and tech classes. We had them email 4 or 5 schools they would consider (not Ivys or top SLACs - I think it was VA Tech, Perdue, WPI, GA Tech and one I can’t remember) and ask if it would hurt their chances for an admit as a comp sci or engineering major. All the schools except GA Tech said it wouldn’t matter. One said explicitly that it’s better to take the highest level STEM classes. GA Tech sent a reply that didn’t address the issue at all- clearly canned (or AI).

We know it will hurt chances at the highest level scho, but the chances of a T20 school were low anyway. It’s too bad that decision will probably take UVA off the table, but my kid really hated foreign language. I didn’t want them miserable the rest of high school anyway.

I get two years in HS, if you took a few years in MS, but when is enough? My kid hates it and wants to take other classes and by doing a foreign language its very limiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter will have 4 years of world language after 10th grade. She really does not want to take language for next year. She is a high achieving student, but we can't afford private universities so will likely be looking at the better state flagships. Unfortunately, she does not yet know where she would like to go or what she would like to study.

How much would it hurt her in admissions if she drops the world language now?

If she's high achieving and targeting state flagships outside of the top 4-5, she should be more than fine. They will take her for her grades, rigor and SAT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she stops it means she opens up a a slot for someone else at UVA.

This is BS. I don't think language matters as much as the liberal arts crowd around here wants you to think it does. My kid stopped in 10th grade and did well with college admissions. He got into several top publics including Michigan, UVA, and Florida as well as lower ranked publics such as UMD-CP, UIUC, and Purdue. Grades, rigor and SAT are what matter the most when it comes to publics and essays/ECs likely matter too (secondarily) for the top ones.

[Anonymous]

Most top schools want to see 4 years of foreign language while in HS, so no, I would not drop it

[Anonymous]

DS got into T10 school two years ago, French 4 taken in 10th being the highest level. My current 10th grader will be dropping their Spanish after this year. Science for both, so no fear. Transcript will show two years of foreign language completed at HS level in 7th and 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she stops it means she opens up a a slot for someone else at UVA.

This is BS. I don't think language matters as much as the liberal arts crowd around here wants you to think it does. My kid stopped in 10th grade and did well with college admissions. He got into several top publics including Michigan, UVA, and Florida as well as lower ranked publics such as UMD-CP, UIUC, and Purdue. Grades, rigor and SAT are what matter the most when it comes to publics and essays/ECs likely matter too (secondarily) for the top ones.

Interesting. Did your kid stop with an AP/Honors or just regular 4 FL class? My DC is really not digging FL and looking to stop as soon as they can without hurting their chances.

[Anonymous]

Don't any of you care what your kid takes in college? To get through their major. Have you even looked at the college foreign language requirement? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she stops it means she opens up a a slot for someone else at UVA.

This is BS. I don't think language matters as much as the liberal arts crowd around here wants you to think it does. My kid stopped in 10th grade and did well with college admissions. He got into several top publics including Michigan, UVA, and Florida as well as lower ranked publics such as UMD-CP, UIUC, and Purdue. Grades, rigor and SAT are what matter the most when it comes to publics and essays/ECs likely matter too (secondarily) for the top ones.

Interesting. Did your kid stop with an AP/Honors or just regular 4 FL class? My DC is really not digging FL and looking to stop as soon as they can without hurting their chances.

PP here.. My 2022 high stats TJ kid (1590 SAT, around 4.5 wtd GPA, 6 APs end of HS), did Spanish 1 in MS, Spanish 2 and 3 in HS (stopped in 10th grade). He's the one that got into all the schools listed above for CS. One strong EC (non academic) and one sport.
My not-so-high stats 2024 base-HS DC2 (1500 SAT, 3.75 wtd, will have 10 APs at end of HS) stopped after Spanish 4 in 11th grade. Has been getting into 'lower level' publics (e.g. Penn State, Pitt). One strong EC (non-academic). Admits are for Business (MIS), Engineering (CS) and CS/DS.

Again, if your DC is targeting something 'liberal artsy', language may matter. STEM, Engr, business, I don't think so. If you are unsure and DC is the listening kind (mine aren't), ask DC to continue to be an active member of a language club in school so it can add to the ECs on the common app. The angle here is "I unfortunately had to drop Spanish after 10th grade to pursue other interests, but I love it so much that I continued to be active in my school's Spanish club. And, oh look, I was the Treasurer (or VP or whatever) of the club!".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter will have 4 years of world language after 10th grade. She really does not want to take language for next year. She is a high achieving student, but we can't afford private universities so will likely be looking at the better state flagships. Unfortunately, she does not yet know where she would like to go or what she would like to study.

How much would it hurt her in admissions if she drops the world language now?

Colleges recognize the variation in language course levels across different public school systems. Attaining four years of foreign language in a system that offers courses labeled as foreign language 1, 2, 3, and AP holds more significance than completing first four years in a system with a sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and AP. When assessing foreign language proficiency, priority is given to completion of the AP level. The number of years taken to reach the AP level is secondary; if a student spends five years and does not complete AP, foreign language attainment is not considered a four-year accomplishment, particularly when the highest level offered is AP at their school.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter as long as they can pass a proficiency exam once in college. If they don’t pass the exam they’ll be stuck with more language in college. Have them do Duolingo or something for the next couple years so they don’t forget everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter will have 4 years of world language after 10th grade. She really does not want to take language for next year. She is a high achieving student, but we can't afford private universities so will likely be looking at the better state flagships. Unfortunately, she does not yet know where she would like to go or what she would like to study.

How much would it hurt her in admissions if she drops the world language now?

Colleges recognize the variation in language course levels across different public school systems. Attaining four years of foreign language in a system that offers courses labeled as foreign language 1, 2, 3, and AP holds more significance than completing first four years in a system with a sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and AP. When assessing foreign language proficiency, priority is given to completion of the AP level. The number of years taken to reach the AP level is secondary; if a student spends five years and does not complete AP, foreign language attainment is not considered a four-year accomplishment, particularly when the highest level offered is AP at their school.

Which ones? I'm the PP above you. Neither of my kids seem to be facing this 'issue' for admissions. DC1 is in Engineering and the school doesn't require language. DC2 may not end up in engr. and we'll deal with it depending on which school we pick.

[Anonymous]

You may want to look at the admissions requirements for some of the flagships she might be interested in. Some require 3 or 4 years of foreign language in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter will have 4 years of world language after 10th grade. She really does not want to take language for next year. She is a high achieving student, but we can't afford private universities so will likely be looking at the better state flagships. Unfortunately, she does not yet know where she would like to go or what she would like to study.

How much would it hurt her in admissions if she drops the world language now?

Colleges recognize the variation in language course levels across different public school systems. Attaining four years of foreign language in a system that offers courses labeled as foreign language 1, 2, 3, and AP holds more significance than completing first four years in a system with a sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and AP. When assessing foreign language proficiency, priority is given to completion of the AP level. The number of years taken to reach the AP level is secondary; if a student spends five years and does not complete AP, foreign language attainment is not considered a four-year accomplishment, particularly when the highest level offered is AP at their school.

Agreed, AP foreign language is a plus for admissions just like any other AP if it is relevant for the major being applied. Even if it is not relevant, after admission, it could provide credits towards graduation. Most colleges have an AP credit policy stating what an AP score of 4 or 5 is equivalent to their college course. And if that course can serve as an elective, then that AP foreign language readily contributes credits towards the degree requirement.

As an example, AP French gives three to four credits at many colleges:

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies/course/14

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want to look at the admissions requirements for some of the flagships she might be interested in. Some require 3 or 4 years of foreign language in high school.

Most require 2. Some recommend 3 or 4. None require 4.