My D26 is trying to decide between doing a work study next year or taking AP French & AP Anatomy &Physiology
She has all the requirements to Graduate without taking these two classes. She has the ability to do a work study at a local medical lab that does research with blood and tissues samples.
She would like to apply to Biomedical engineering programs ( we would prefer her to apply to mechanical engineering)
She did take Spanish in 7th and 8th grade but not sure if that would meet the 4 years of language requirements for all schools.
She also has the ability to just work at this lab whatever hours she chooses.
Any thoughts?
Thanks for your input
It won’t count for any schools if she took 3 years of French in HS, which presumably she did since AP French isn’t a beginners class. The FL requirement/recommendation is in the same language.
Thanks she has taken 3 years of French her counselor is pushing for the work study but we are concerned about her not having that 4th year of Language. Her HS does not require the 4th year for graduation.
Thanks she meets with her counselor tomorrow but we are a large public school with over worked counselors, so they keep saying she is fine and doesn’t need that 4th year!
Very few universities require 4 years of FL, particularly for engineering.
Anyway, your initial question is unanswerable in a vacuum without knowing what courses she will be taking and what colleges she’s targeting.
In general, I’m not a fan of a lower than competitive academic workload simply because she’s completed most HS requirements. Most applicants to colleges often mentioned on this site have completed most HS requirements before senior year
French 3 (assuming that is the highest level taken) plus Spanish 1 or 2 (depending on how middle school Spanish is counted in high school equivalent years) is still level 3, which counts as “three years”.
You and she can go to various college web sites to check what level of foreign language they require or prefer for frosh admission.
Next year she will be taking
AP Physics
AP calculus BC (this is the normal year to take it ( first two years are integrated math )
Dual credit college writing
Gym ( athletic training & Dance)
She is currently taking
AP Chemistry
AP lang
AP pre Calculus BC
AP history
French
Gym
Has already taken
AP government
AP economics
AP human Geography
AP computer science
In effect this would mean a non competitive, lighter schedule with only 3 academic classes. Since she can work at the lab at any time, I would take AP French.
She doesn’t need to take A&P since she’s already taking Physics. However it may be a good idea for her to take a social science - if she wants a more sciencye social science, AP psychology includes some science as well as social science and is an easy AP; however, the class doesn’t need to be an AP.
If she’s aiming for UIUC Engineering the most important grades will be Physics&Math.
Thank- you
Our biggest concern was the lack of rigor her Senior Year would show if she did a work study! I have no idea why the school is pushing it. It looks like she has been learning towards not doing the work study. I will add these notes from everyone on here
Thanks all
My daughter only had through DE Spanish 3 because of a scheduling conflict with a math class, and was fine with acceptances to the midwest engineering schools.
I am also concerned though about the lack of classes senior year. How does this work study program work? She can’t do it after school?
My D went to a private stem HS and the GCs there said absolutely do not take the foot off the pedal senior year in terms course rigor.
Can you clarify why you would like her to apply for mech E? If she is interested in biomedical engineering, is there a reason why she shouldn’t apply to it?
This student has plenty of rigor in her schedule. She has three years of French. She wants to study biomedical E. It seems to me that surely AP A&P is a good course for her. I can’t see a reason why she should do a 4th year of french, unless she is aiming for some very selective college that indicates a preference for four years of language. UIUC doesn’t seem to ask for four years of FL.
Maybe I’m missing something here, but I think this student should take a rigorous class that seems to interest her and that is relevant to her potential major.
I was going to add that the class doesn’t need to be AP French (because it’s not necessary for Engineering) but she can’t have only 3 academic classes senior year - typically she would be expected to have 5.
Does her HS offer a social science of interest and another class (Anatomy& Physiology isn’t an AP but could it be taken as an Honors class? Is she doing well in French and does she like the class?)
Ah. Apparently AP A & P was piloted in some schools in fall of 24 and is allegedly going to be offered for Fall 2025. The OP said AP A & P. However, it isn’t appearing on College Board officially at least in their course offerings. But this post on Re**it might provide context for the OP. Reddit - Dive into anything
UIUC is two years required, but four years recommended. If applying to any of their highly competitive majors, follow what’s recommended to be a competitive candidate.
If you’ve taken French through level 4, that should be good. I’m assuming AP French is level 5.
I’ve seen no announcement of that. And I’d assume it would be announced by now if they’re offering it beyond the pilot for 2025-2026. And it’s not on the supposedly preliminary 2026 exam schedule. Not that the AP designation is necessary if one wants to take an A&P course.