<p>Ok guys, next year my only elective is Computer Science AB
I have done FRENCH 3 so far
so my question is should i switch French 4 in for Comp Sci AB, or keep Comp Sci AB because it a challenging course and helps show off the rigor of my course load.</p>
<p>which one are you most interested in? And don’t underestimate the rigors of foreign language. Comp Sci, in essence, is a foreign language. :)</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that if you gain proficiency in French (with that extra year of French 4) and are accepted at UVa, then you have a much better shot at placing out of the language requirement; that’s a lot of credit. Taking a year off from learning the language and then taking the test makes it more difficult for you. Other schools you apply to may also have language requirements. Personally, I think taking French will better serve you in the long run, in terms of placing out of area requirements, partially or completely.</p>
<p>wait so if i take french 4, i wouldn’t have to take a language in college??
sorry if u understood ur comment incorrectly</p>
<p>As an intro CS TA, if you think you’ll EVER have to take CS, PLEASE take it in high school first. I see so many kids struggle here that would not be struggling if they had had a year of CS in high school, just to get the basics down.
If you’re not taking AP French the chances of you completely getting out of the foreign language requirement here are pretty low.
OTOH, if you’re just taking CS to look smart to colleges and would rather take French, then don’t take CS just for that.</p>
<p>this might sound like a really really dumb question but: do we have to take a language in college if we are planning to do pre-med??</p>
<p>yeah.</p>
<p>And a lot of medical schools highly recommend (code word for require) that you be proficient in a foreign language. Many prefer Spanish or Asian languages.</p>
<p>Here’s how the language thing works. After you’re accepted and yada, you can take a language test to see where you would place in terms of classes for that language. i.e. FREN101, FREN202, etc. They want to see what level you’re at. To be considered proficient in a language at UVa, you need to take 4 semesters of that language: 101,102,201,202. If you score high enough that you place into a class higher than 202, you are considered proficient in a language and you fulfill the area requirement to have fluency in a language. That’s 14-16 credits, depending upon the language. You could also place into something below 202, and get credit for the classes below it. For example, if you place into FREN201, then you would get credit for FREN101 and 102.</p>
<p>If your simply taking Comp Sci to make yourself look better and have no plans on pursuing something comp sci related/taking comp sci classes, don’t take it. It was notorious in our school for being a difficult class. If, however, you plan on taking comp sci courses in the future, then follow hazel’s advice and take it.</p>
<p>Again, look at your schedule. If you’re already taking a heavy courseload, then don’t worry about being more impressive.</p>
<p>Also, pre-med is a track; it is NOT a major. You can’t major in premed. There’s no such thing.</p>
<p>erm, this is going to sound weird, but I looked at the other posts you made, and it seems you’re taking AP US, AP Chem, AP Stat, and AP Lang. </p>
<p>Those classes were what I took my Junior Year, except I took AP Psyc instead of Stat. And junior year, for me, didn’t feel more difficult than any other year. Do well on APUS, because you can get 8 creds for a 4 or 5. It’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>My advice still stands. Take what interests you.</p>
<p>wow thank you for that great post
although i have no interest in pursuing comp sci in college, I want to take it because i enjoyed A and feel AB can be more challenging</p>
<p>and the problem with French is that I have to really really have to try hard to succeed…and since I already have 4 AP’s I am not sure if I have time to do language, where as, for Comp Sci AB I feel comfortable and know I can easily get a A while actually learning things</p>
<p>so I am leaning towards taking Computer Science, but the notion of not taking a language in college is really tempting haha</p>
<ol>
<li>You do know there’s no AP exam this year (I was thinking AB-BC not A-AB so figured you knew this): [AP</a> Central - Important Announcement about AP Computer Science AB](<a href=“http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/195948.html]AP”>http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/195948.html)</li>
<li>If you struggle with foreign languages, then it is doubtful you will place out of foreign language entirely. You may skip and intro class or two but if you attend UVA you still will need another year or so. A good way to gauge your ability is to take the foreign language SAT II and see how you place on UVA’s scale. [Foreign</a> Language Placement Index — Undergraduate, College of Arts & Sciences, U.Va.](<a href=“http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/college/requirements/competency/language_placement_index.html]Foreign”>http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/college/requirements/competency/language_placement_index.html)</li>
<li>If you enjoyed A you will enjoy AB and it sounds like you don’t enjoy foreign language so you should do what interests you. Don’t make plans around a college that you may or may not attend, take classes you like and have a good academic and social year.</li>
</ol>
<p>Take french, a foreign language is invaluable - especially for med school. Most med schools/PhD programs require you to be proficient in a second language. I can’t even begin to tell you have useful being trilingual has been. </p>
<p>Don’t take computer science unless you really have to, it’s painful.</p>