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My daughter is currently a sophomore, taking Spanish II.

I looked at some college admission requirements at various schools and some say 4 years of language preferred or two years (3 recommended).

My question: Are they saying 4 years of the "same" language or can it be a mix? I realize the obvious answer is that the same language would be preferred but my daughter is thinking of switching to Latin for junior and senior years as her school is very strong in that language.

Any advice on this, is greatly appreciated!

By AFL on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 12:10 pm: Edit

While four years (or more) of the SAME language (especially including an Advanced Placement class) always "looks good" on an application, whether your daughter stays with Spanish or switches to Latin will probably ultimately have little or no effect on her admission decisions. In fact, many college officials have a soft spot for Latin students---perhaps they're considered just a tad more serious for tackling a classical language. So any "damage" your daughter does by saying adios to her Spanish program will be balanced out by adding Latin to her transcript.

Before you make any changes, however, consider this scenario: How likely do you think it is that your daughter will drop Spanish in the fall to take Latin but won't like it enough to continue for a second year as a senior? The more competitive colleges don't want to see just two years of one language and only one of another. If your daughter starts Latin as a junior, can you make her sign a vow in blood to stick with it for Year 2?

By 1sttimecollegemom on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 12:59 pm: Edit

I don't know which state your in, however our guidance counselor told us here in the state of IL, specifically at UIUC, that with 3 consequtive years of one language you could test out of the foreign language requirement for college. Four years and no test was required and no foreign language at all was required either. Son will have stayed with Spanish all four years because he felt it would probably be easier for him to learn Spanish at a slower pace in high school than at college, especially since it has been his
one class that he's truly had to work hard at. Good luck.

By Dadster on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 01:16 pm: Edit

I agree that classical languages seem to suggest a love of learning. KIDS who take 'em MUST love learning, they sure won't be able to use them in Cancun on Spring Break!

Even if the Latin makes placing out of any college language classes unlikely, I kind of like the idea. Ditto AFL's suggestion that dropping Latin after a year wouldn't be a great idea...

By Aramis (Aramis) on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 01:46 pm: Edit

Thank you for the input but this raises another
question:

What do you (collegemom) mean by "test out of the foreign language requirement for college" and (Dadster)"makes placing out of any college language"?

Are you both saying that a language course is generally mandatory to be taken as a freshman college undergraduate? If a student, say, takes 4 years of Spanish, in high school that they may not have to take a mandatory language in college?
Am I understanding this correctly?

By Dadster on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 01:53 pm: Edit

I think this depends on the school. Some might waive or reduce the requirement based on coursework and/or proficiency testing, while others might just offer placement in a more advanced class.

By Aramis (Aramis) on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 02:25 pm: Edit

A bit of background:

We live in TX and as my daughter had been taking
(basic) Spanish through elem. and middle school, we automatically enrolled her for Spanish (she averages a B+). In retrospect, I wish she had taken Latin from 9th grade.

Her current spanish teacher seemed hesitant to recommend my daughter for sp. III as she said the next class is conducted only in spanish and the students are mainly hispanic (obviously implying
she might not be able to keep up).

I made a few phone calls, this morning to clarify what I had read on college websites:

1) Arch./Arts/Urban Planning Dept.of Admissions at Cornell. For this particular department, they said 3 years required but it could be 3 years of the same language or 2 years of each. They stressed it did not make any difference in the admissions process which she chose to do.

2) UT-Austin "general" admissions: 2 years mandatory, 3 years recommended but they stressed that because admission is competitive, she really should have 3, 4 or even 5 years of the same language. They stated, strongly, that 2 years of spanish and 2 of latin would not be a good idea.

AFL - I did tell her that if she chooses to switch to Latin, she MUST stick with it for 2 years

By 1sttimecollegemom on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 07:59 pm: Edit

I can only tell about U of I specifically, and the few that son and I have looked at.

At U of I....at least 2 years of a foreign language in high school is a requirement for application. At least that's what the guidance office told us upon picking HS freshman courses. Son isn't applying to U of I, unless he changes his mind, however he decided to follow the U of I suggested high school curriculum, thinking it would probably be close to most schools. U of I requires a knowledge of foreign language in order to graduate. So if you've had three years of language in HS, you can take a test, and possibly test out of it in college, or it could be used as a placement test as Dadster reported in an earlier thread. After four years in HS, no Foreign language is required at all at U of I. I assume they figure you would pass a proficiency exam after 4 years.

A few of the colleges we have been looking at in FL also have foreign language requirements, but it seems to me that if you can pass Spanish 101 by testing out, they will not require you to take it again as well.

If your daughter has any specific ideas about where she might like to attend, I'd at least check the general requirements at the universities web page, this might give you a better idea of what to expect. Once again, good luck!

By 1sttimecollegemom on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 08:07 pm: Edit

Aramis, is there any way your daughter can take both. The reason I'm asking is, our neighbor is a senior, just accepted to Northwestern, and as a senior she's taking Spanish IV and French I. She told me that it's so much easier to learn a third language than that 2nd one, but she felt she needed to complete Spanish once she started. My son is setting here reading over my shoulder and said to tell your daughter that Spanish III is definately better than Spanish I or II. Much more enjoyable, at least at his school. He's actually looking forward to Spanish IV. Will wonders never cease?

By Stressed out on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 09:40 am: Edit

My child takes Latin (currently in AP Latin) and loves it. He did try Spanish and Latin together one year (I think it was Latin III and Spanish I) and hated Spanish. He took Spanish II (reluctantly), but then dropped Spanish and continued Latin. Hopefully this won't be a problem on his transcript?? Two years of Spanish and four years of Latin (including two years of AP Latin)? To Aramis -- BTW Latin is very different than the Romance languages, the grammar is unique and quite difficult for many students. My kid had no problem, but most in the class struggled esp in the first few years. Also, the first two years of Latin will likely be most or all grammar -- reading Latin poetry didn't really start until year three. Make sure your child understands what she's getting into, perhaps talk to other kids who take Latin. To the other posters -- any suggestions on how to promote the Latin angle in applications this fall? Child is seriously considering majoring in Classics, possibly as a double major with either English or History. Should he contact Classics depts, or just hope they'll take notice of his ability and interest (has some Natl Latin Exam medals).

By I.M.A. Parent on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 12:24 pm: Edit

Dear Stressed Out:

My own advice is that your student should be aggressive in meeting and feeling out Classics faculty. I do not suggest that the faculty will have 'pull' with admissions -- and possibly they do here and there. But, my premise is that given the considerations and focus of the discipline, the role of faculty pends very much to mentorship, and getting a feel for the future relationship possibilities are important.

Otherwise, I agree with some of the general statements above and the admissions staff will definitely take note -- these kids are relatively few, thus tend to stand out.

By I.M.A. Parent on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 03:25 pm: Edit

PS -- forgot to add re: languages still may beckon!

You may want to keep in mind that many college classics departments suggest that a gaining a proficiency in French or German should be part of the studies mix, esp. if one aspires to graduate school level work in the classics field... now, this may pertain more to classics civ (for source readings in original tongue) than to philology students, I am not sure...

By biggianthead on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 06:28 pm: Edit

I was a little concerned about what you said above about dropping latin after a year. In freshman year, I took Spanish IIA, and Latin I. I had hoped to continue taking both, but due to scheduling issues, i was unable to continue Latin. I had an A, and have had an A average throughout all of my Spanish courses. I will have AP Spanish V senior year (next year). Will dropping Latin after one year be detrimental to my application? Thanks