<p>Hello my name is Gaby and I live in California. My absolute dream is to study English at Cambridge; however, I also want to spend my junior year abroad in Spain because I think it will give me a broader perspective as a writer (and because obviously it is an amazing opportunity). I’m concerned though, since I have to demonstrate my enthusiasm for English, that Cambridge will doubt my interest in English due to my spending a year focusing on another language.</p>
<p>The advice I am looking for is whether I should take advantage of this opportunity to study abroad (which could possibly demonstrate my ability to thrive in a new culture, as well as being able to withstand so far away from home), or whether the stakes are too high and I should finish my schooling in California fully focusing on English. (Just a reminder I would only be spending my Junior year in Spain, and not both my Junior and Senior years)</p>
<p>I thought I recognized the question, and went & found that I posted back the last time you asked it! </p>
<p>I don’t think any of us can really give you advice: there are too many other factors, including where else you are applying, your family circumstances and so on.</p>
<p>So here are some thoughts to help you weigh your options.</p>
<p>First, Cambridge assumes that if you couldn’t thrive in a new culture / cope with being away from home then you wouldn’t be applying. They really won’t be impressed one way or the other by your adventurousness. </p>
<p>On a more practical level, have you worked out your APs? remember that you have to have 5 scores of “5” on relevant APs. They pretty much specify Lit and Lang, so that leaves you 3 more scores (yes, you can fill in with SATIIs in the 700s, but you can’t double count, so no English SATII on top of the APs!). Watch out for semester APs (such as Comp Gov / US Gov or Macro/Micro Econ or Psych), which in effect they count as 1/2 an AP. The list is here: </p>
<p>While you don’t have to have the 5 completed before you apply, you need to have enough that they believe that you are likely to get the scores you need on the ones that you take at the end of senior year. You might think about how you would handle doing APs during your year abroad.</p>
<p>Also be aware that all of the colleges except Downing and St Edmonds (and Hughes Hall, but that’s only for ‘mature’- ie, older- students) require 2 (relevant) school essays to be submitted by Nov 15. You might see what kind of essays are assigned in the fall of senior year, to make sure that you will have two good opportunities (as you are unlikely to be writing english essays in Spain). </p>
<p>Going to Spain sounds wonderful! However, the one reason I would caution against it is because of your SAT I, IIs, and AP tests. Junior year is extremely important because that’s the year you need test scores and doing that in Spain may be difficult. </p>