<p>I plan on majoring in classics/Latin or biology, depending on the school. (My math courses are relatively unimpressive and, I think, would damage my admission chances at selective schools if I listed biology as my primary major.) Thus are the intended majors listed on my applications.
However, I recently noticed that Duke highly recommends that intended Classics/Latin majors take the SAT Subject Latin Test. I have not taken this. However, this exam is offered only twice per year - in June and in December. Obviously, I cannot take the exam at this point.
I’m freaking out!!! Will this hurt my chances of acceptance? I have not taken AP Latin because my school does not offer it, but I have taken the most advanced Latin classes that my school offers. I am not taking Latin this year because I have “maxed out” on their Latin courses. I was so so stupid not to have taken the test when I had the chance. All I can do at this point is not to cry over spilled milk, I suppose. But this will not remedy p=my problem.
Duke’s website says (obtained from URL <a href=“http://www.duke.edu/web/classics/ugrads/latin-greek.html):%5B/url%5D”>http://www.duke.edu/web/classics/ugrads/latin-greek.html):</a>
"Students with high school Latin should take the SAT-II College Board Achievement Test or the Advanced Placement exams.</p>
<p>below 530 (= AP Exam 1 or 2) LAT 1 (beginning)
530-630 (= AP Exam 3) LAT 63 (intermediate)
640-690 (= AP Exam 4) LAT 91 (advanced intermediate)
above 690 (= AP Exam 5) LAT 100-level (advanced) see note below</p>
<p>Incoming students who have not taken the College Board Achievement test may rate themselves in the following way:</p>
<pre><code>* 4 years of high school Latin should qualify the student at least for LAT 91;
3 years of high school Latin (with Latin taken in the senior year) should qualify the student at least for LAT 63; and
2 years of high school Latin or 3 years (with no Latin taken in the senior year) may not qualify the student for advanced placement."
</code></pre>
<p>I have not exactly taken 4 years of Latin (9th-11th), but I have taken all the way through Latin 4 Honors. Freshman year, I took 3 semesters worth of Latin in 2 semesters and taught myself the 4th semester during the initial months of Latin 3 Honors (It was not very much material). Most of my Latin grades are exceptional. As a freshman, I received Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam Level 1, but it does not test advanced Latin. I am the head of the Latin tutoring department at school, and I tutor in Latin (obviously). Perhaps these other factors will negate my lack of an SAT Subject Latin Test score. </p>
<p>I am so worried!! I would not be so worried but that my applications attest that I intend to major in classics/Latin and that one of my essays addresses my passion for classics/Latin (yeah I know I’m cool) and my reasons for pursuing the said major. What should I do??!!</p>
<p>You can always self study the AP Latin. You don’t have to take the class to take the exam. Maybe planning on taking the AP test this May? And somehow say that you are self studying this year on your app to Duke…</p>
<p>I’m not sure, but if I prepare well, I do not think that it will be hard. However, I don’t know if my school will allow me to take it, but I certainly will try if it helps me get into my top choices!</p>
<p>I’m not sure if stating that I plan to take the AP exam will help me with acceptance, as the schools will not see my exam results until after they make their decisions. What do you think?</p>
<p>Son took 4 years of High School Latin, received 4 Gold Medals from the NLE, and placed 1st or 2nd in State language competitions a number of times. However, curiously enough, he got a ‘3’ on both AP Latin exams he took (Lit & Virgil - though he self studied Virgil). It seems the AP exams test for something a bit different in regards Latin. Might be a good idea to do some research into the focus of the AP Latin exam(s) to give yourself the best chance of doing well for placement.</p>
<p>it would probably be easier for you to study for the SAT II in June and take that for placement. There is the CB book that has one practice test for each test and there is an REA book which has some practice in it also. That would be a heck of a lot easier than studying all the Vergil or all the material for one of the Lit exams unless you want to get some credit. Since you might not be sure of your background preparation, it might be a good goal to try to place into one of the intermediate levels. And by the registration time, you’ll know if you are into Duke and if this matters.</p>
<p>My kids considered the National Latin Exams a joke, but the Latin AP (Virgil) was hard. My son got a 5, but he studied hard for it. As for the OP, he can take the Latin SAT in June for placement if he needs it.</p>
<p>Do you think that a lack of an AP Latin/SAT II score by the time of application will hurt my admissions chances? Ok, I’ll plan on taking the SAT in June then. But I’m worried about getting in rather than placement at the moment
Thanks!</p>
<p>As someone who took the Vergil AP and teaches Latin, I think studying independently for the Vergil AP would be very difficult. In addition to thoroughly knowing/understanding the Latin and its translation, the AP requires you to understand the themes, etc. of the work and to be able to write essay responses to questions about them. I think it would be extremely difficult to master Vergil’s Latin and the themes, character developments, etc. without a teacher to guide you.</p>
