How important is a Foreign language?

Applying to College
1

I made the big mistake of not taking a language my Freshmen year and I am currently in French 2 as a Junior. I was wondering how important a 3rd year of foreign language was for UC’s and Privates. I don’t want to take it because there is only one teacher at my school and he’s not the greatest and grades unfairly; I have had him once already. I don’t want to risk my GPA dropping because I am at an unweighted 3.8 right now. If I took his class my schedule would be

AP Chemistry
AP Calc AB
AP Gov & Econ
English 4 (should it be AP?)
French 3

I would simply take out French 3 if it’s not that important but if it would affect my chances for UC or Private, I won’t risk it. My intended major is Biomedical Engineering.

Also, I would only be taking 5 classes next year without French but I would be working, volunteering, and starting my club.

I would really appreciate a response as soon as possible since I have to decide this …today. Thank you!

2

It depends on which privates, you can look at the website for required and recommended years. Recommended is always better as foreign language is considered a core academic class. More important than AP Gov & AP Econ electives imo and I think you will be quite disadvantages by only having 2 years when many will have 3 and 4. If you can reach and show fluency another way that can be a equivalency. Otherwise it makes you an easy target to drop from consideration given that the UC admissions was very difficult this year with many students waitlisted or rejected from some they would have expected admits in earlier years. Do discuss with your GC.

3

Every university provides its curricular prerequisites on its admissions website. Failure to meet these requirements may result in categorical rejection of your application. You need to do your homework, to ascertain your target schools’ stipulated course minimums, and potentially to adjust your senior year schedule to ensure you comply with the universities’ standards. It’s that simple.

4

UC’s recommend 3 years and with the competitiveness of these schools, any extra booast to your application will help. If you are rejected, it will not be due to 2 years of a foreign language however. Privates all have different requirements, so you need to check on their websites.