Would having three vs four years of a foreign language significantly impact my child’s application to very selective schools? There is a chance the class level (Spanish 6) won’t be offered/conflict with another required course scheduling-wise. If it didn’t fit, AP Psychology would be subbed in. My child is also taking AP courses in math, science, English and Social studies (would double up in social studies if language didn’t fit). Thanks for your advice!
I think continuity is always a positive when it come to selective admissions, but if it doesn’t fit due to conflicts with other core courses, it is what it is. Ask the CC to make a note of the scheduling issue on their report.
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College admissions won’t penalize a student for not having what their school doesn’t offer! Spanish 6 sounds pretty good 
. And, yes, if it’s due to an unavoidable scheduling issue, have the guidance counselor make a note of it.
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An applicant can’t take what’s not offered. Every single AO knows this. Regardless, foreign language is unique in that level completed is generally viewed by admissions as equivalent to years studied. Completing Spanish 5 as a junior will satisfy every single US university.
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Usually the level achieved in a language matters more than years taken – many students start in middle school, for example, so they start HS somewhere above level 1. They might get to level 4 or 5 in 2-3 years. If your kid has gotten to level 5 in Spanish, that should be enough, especially if they are taking a challenging schedule senior year. And especially if there is a possibility Spanish 6 won’t be offered or will conflict with another course, then that’s not your fault.
The only question you might think about – if your child is likely (in college) to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, it might be worth it to have that extra year, because the college will likely have language requirements for these programs. The more you study in HS, the likelier you are to place out of some of these requirements. But all of that is a big “if,” compared to the choices you have before you right now.
Thanks everyone for the quick responses! I appreciate the reassurances that it won’t be held against her if it doesn’t fit or isn’t offered.
One other hypothetical—let’s say scheduling wise, Spanish 6 does fit, but she chooses to take AP Psychology instead. Do you think that’s a negative for very selective schools that encourage 4 years of the 5 main subjects?
We’ve been warned the course might not run, so we are trying to prepare for all possible scenarios. Thanks!
Agree. Colleges look at the level completed rather than the number of years the foreign language is taken so completing level 5 is sufficient.
If Spanish 6 conflicts with a required class or is not offered you can ask the guidance counselor to note that in his/her recommendation letter. If there is no conflict but AP Psych is preferred by the student that is fine as well.
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Referring to my earlier answer, no.
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My daughter’s school canceled Chinese 3. She didn’t apply to tip top schools but got into W&L, UF, etc.
There was nothing she could do. She noted it in the additional info section. No clue if the counselor did or not.
Not gonna hurt.
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As mentioned…it’s the “level” of foreign language that matters. Most colleges want through level 3 or 4. Your student already has level 5.
I’m not an adcom at an elite school…but your student has already achieved the level asked for.
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