"recommended" HS carriculum

Teedit · October 28, 2004, 3:13pm

I am the only one here who hasn't had all the coursework that they recommend you do in HS?

I'm actually a fairly strong candidate, except for the fact that, after my Freshman year, I had to switch my foreign language from Spanish to German due to, well, incompetent teaching is one way to put it (I wanted to actually learn a language, not watch films I didn't understand in class and do nothing).

I am, however, fully aware that in prestigious admissions "recommeneded" is synonymous with "required".

Do you guys think having only three years of one language will seriously torpedo my chances?

Applying ED:
White
competative private ohio school 4/240
4.0 UW all AP/honors
33 ACT 1460/760/700/690 SAT
3 V sport significant achievement in golf (all state three years, captain 2)
all normal/worthless EC's: NHS, student gov 4y, German club ect, significant leadership ect
accomplished musician (awards/reqs): piano, cello, guitar

philntex · October 28, 2004, 3:16pm

I have the same foreign language problem. I took first-year Spanish, skipped second, and took third. I'm not in fourth-year this year due to scheduling conflicts, among other things, but I will be taking the AP test. One of my recommendors said she addressed this in her recommendation, so I hope that clears it up.

Are you planning on taking the AP German test next semester? If they knew that, it might help.

shrek2004 · October 28, 2004, 5:08pm

my friend got into pton last year with only 3 years of spanish and they recommend 4 so i dont think it will matter. as long as u are a strong candidate

kknudsen12 · October 29, 2004, 11:44pm

I have the same problem... I only have taken 3 years of spanish... I was going to take AP spanish 4, but we got a new teacher (who I had for spanish 3), and he turned out to be really horrible. He even said that he wouldn't be able to pass the AP test! So is that something I should write in the "Extra Information" section? Plus, I'd like to have a double major, with one being spanish, so I know it won't look that great that I've only taken 3 years. Maybe it's better for me just to not mention my plan of having a spanish major?

philntex · October 30, 2004, 12:15am

FYI, you can't double major at Princeton. One of the few things I don't like about it, sadly. They do have "certificates," however, which act roughly like minors. I'd leave the major option open, though :)

kknudsen12 · October 30, 2004, 4:56pm

Oh, well that's good to know! So do then how do other grad schools or employers look at having a major and a certificate compared to a double major? I'm guessing it probably isn't a big deal (esp. if it's Princeton vs. a "no-name")....?