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1. • CommentAuthorbrennan11
   • CommentTimeJun 30th 2010 edited

    

   Hey everyone.  I'm going into my sophomore year in the fall, and for my junior year I want to spend the year in France.  I have straight A's, and I just found out that my class ranking is 2 of 143.  I'm pretty scared to talk to my dad about this endeavor (I did mention it once though) and he is really not supportive at all.  My mom was some-what supportive, but now that she found out my ranking, she wants me to stay at my school for all 4 years (I go to a fancy, Catholic, college-prep highschool).  She thinks that if I take part in this program for a year abroad, I could screw up academically, and my chances of getting into a really good college (my dream college is Princeton) may decrease.  I completely disagree, and I think that this would help me get into colleges.  I cannot go on a semester trip (my school's grading periods are in trimesters), and I don't want to go to any of the countries that have trimester programs (I think Switzerland and Ecuador do).  So, my question is (for the alumni), when they were abroad did they experience any decrease in grades because of the language gap or for other reasons?  Is it unlikely that I would continue to get straight A's (or top scores for whatever grading system there is in France) if I went abroad for the year?  I'm particularly nervous about the grades I would get in a litterature/grammar/French class. Also (this really has nothing to do with the topic, but), is there some way to find out how many spots there are for a certain country and the program (I'm pretty set on going to France, and it would be a reall heart-breaker if spots filled up and I couldn't get in.) Thanks for all the help in advance :)

2. • CommentAuthorbrennan11
   • CommentTimeJun 30th 2010 edited

    

   Oh, another question.  Do you still get a class ranking on your transcript from your year abroad?

3. • CommentAuthorCarlyh
   • CommentTimeJul 1st 2010

    

   I can tell you one thing; colleges won't think any less of you for going abroad for a year. Actually, I'm pretty sure for the most part it is the exact opposite! An AFS volunteer came to our French class this year and he talked about how he applied to Duke while he was abroad, which was totally out of the question because he didn't have the grades or anything needed to get in, but he was accepted. And as far as grading goes, the first semester will probably be hard, but after you get used to the language it will probably be about the same difficulty as your school, since your school seems to be harder than the average American high school. Keep trying, though, and if it helps, I didn't tell my parents the cost until they had already started to really support the decision. I did most of the application by myself and drove the process, so it showed my parents how sure I was of the decision. I suggest you do the same...... :)

   By the way... I'm going to France this year, which is my Junior year. Once I'm there, I'll try to remember to post something up here about school.

   Good luck!!!!!!

   -Carly

4. • CommentAuthorbrennan11
   • CommentTimeJul 1st 2010

    

   Thanks a bunch!  You've really helped :) 

   Et bon voyage!

5. • CommentAuthorhollybluwood
   • CommentTimeJul 20th 2010

    
   Heya, I actually also go to a fancy, Catholic CP school and I'm a top ranking student as well. My parents were pretty iffy about the whole process, but I took the initiative and spoke to my school about it as well as other people who had studied abroad or were currently. I don't know how good you are at French, but I know that most students that do these types of trips do not get as amazing grades as in your native language. Harsh truth, sadly and I completely understand both your and your parents worries. However, I have spoken to many people (including my college counselor) and colleges really like these kinds of programs. Studying abroad makes a student more independent and prepared for college than regular students. If your grades hurt for it, I assure you colleges understand completely. You are learning a new language, and they know that. In fact, doing this shows colleges that you are willing to work hard, past even language barriers, to achieve your goals. I am going to Russia this year (my junior year) and I know very little Russian. Good luck and I hope you succeed! --Bettina
6. • CommentAuthorbrennan11
   • CommentTimeAug 23rd 2010

    

   Thanks a lot hollybluwood :).  The part in particular about how students are more independent in college than most students really helped.  And good look in Russia!