Language Major and Upper Level Science Classes

[Tappinfool66]

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I'm strongly considering switching to a Spanish major. I'll be going into my Junior year next fall. I'm going to take two classes this summer to brush up (I've had six years of Spanish before college) and then I'll decide if I want to pursue the major.

Right now, for the fall, I'm registered for:
-Physics I (with lab)
-Honors Hispanic Readings (Spanish)
-Advanced Composition & Conversation (Spanish)

I will also be doing:
-a 'Diamond Peer Teachers' program for Organic Chem I (like being an undergrad TA)
-taking an MCAT class
-doing a one-credit piano lesson
-volunteering once a week
-maybe teaching immigrants English once a week

I do have room for a fourth class and need some advice.

For language majors, I'm considering taking a 'Portuguese for Spanish speakers' class. Do you think there is anything wrong with taking three language classes in one semester? Would I maybe get sick of language classes if I took that many?

For any majors, should I consider doing an upper level science class instead? My BCPM GPA will be a 3.9 at the end of this semester, and I was planning on taking Mammalian Physiology next spring, and Mammalian Anatomy, General Histology and Biochemistry in my senior year. Should I take another science class this semester to have two in before I apply?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Only sign up for more upper-level sciences if you can GUARANTEE that you will make A's in them with the increased course load and time requirements that classes will require. You have a great sGPA right now, you need to protect that baby as much as possible.

 

[takk]

So I am a double major in bio and Spanish, and it has been extremely doable at my school. I'm actually taking a Portuguese course designed for Spanish speakers right now, and it is really fabulous. (The code-switching has become an issue though, it's easy to mix the two languages together).

If you're genuinely interested in all the language classes, I'd say go ahead and take them. Yes, upper level science courses are great and they will be a nice supplement to your science education and you should take them at some point... but you have two years left in school! As long as you have your prereqs in I wouldn't worry too much.

Good luck!

 

[Total180]

I was a Spanish major and I LOVED it! I took a lot of language classes each semester and they were always my favorite classes. However, I think the Portuguese for Spanish speakers might be a little advanced for someone that has only taken (presumably) high school/middle school Spanish. They will probably skip over a bunch of grammar that you may or may not know yet...and it will probably be taught exclusively in Spanish. I would see how the Spanish classes this summer go, and then see how you feel in terms of your language ability. Languages are one of those things (like science) that builds on itself, and if you don't get a good foundation, you will be totally screwed. In my opinion though, it is the BEST major ever! And it has really helped in terms of volunteer opportunities/jobs/med school applications. You can really get some amazing experiences if you know Spanish and want to work with the Hispanic population.

 

[Tappinfool66]

Only sign up for more upper-level sciences if you can GUARANTEE that you will make A's in them with the increased course load and time requirements that classes will require. You have a great sGPA right now, you need to protect that baby as much as possible.

I was definitely planning on doing well. I just wasn't sure if med schools really want to see a good number of upper level science classes before you apply, or if a solid sGPA is 'good enough' for them.

So I am a double major in bio and Spanish, and it has been extremely doable at my school. I'm actually taking a Portuguese course designed for Spanish speakers right now, and it is really fabulous. (The code-switching has become an issue though, it's easy to mix the two languages together).

If you're genuinely interested in all the language classes, I'd say go ahead and take them. Yes, upper level science courses are great and they will be a nice supplement to your science education and you should take them at some point... but you have two years left in school! As long as you have your prereqs in I wouldn't worry too much.

Good luck!

I was a Spanish major and I LOVED it! I took a lot of language classes each semester and they were always my favorite classes. However, I think the Portuguese for Spanish speakers might be a little advanced for someone that has only taken (presumably) high school/middle school Spanish. They will probably skip over a bunch of grammar that you may or may not know yet...and it will probably be taught exclusively in Spanish. I would see how the Spanish classes this summer go, and then see how you feel in terms of your language ability. Languages are one of those things (like science) that builds on itself, and if you don't get a good foundation, you will be totally screwed. In my opinion though, it is the BEST major ever! And it has really helped in terms of volunteer opportunities/jobs/med school applications. You can really get some amazing experiences if you know Spanish and want to work with the Hispanic population.

Thanks for the advice! I've been feeling really excited since I started thinking about the major. Portuguese seems like it could be fun but I don't think I'll take it if I don't feel ready by the end of the summer. I just wanted to see if overloading on language in a semester could be a bad thing, which doesn't seem to be the case lol. Thanks again!