<p>Many colleges have language requirements. I have a question about it. When it says "recommended", does it really mean "recommended" and that I don't have to have this number of years of a foreign language? If I don't have this number of years, would that be a big disadvantage?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>No. What they mean is that it would be “useful” to have profiency in a language in said years. Don’t worry about it too much, because as long as it’s not a “requirement” you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I am not so sure if you will be “fine.” If you are talking about the admissins process, the competetive schools would like to see their admits with the three years of language. If you do not have it, that is not a disqualifier, but it will make your aplication less competitive.</p>
<p>keep in mind that there’re other parts to the application to be considered. If the OP is strong in other parts of the application, it can be overlooked. There’re always exceptions, after all it’s not a “requirement”.</p>
<p>It will also make a difference if you are already fluent in two languages, with demonstrated competence in the non-English language.</p>
<p>This question is asked often on CC. I encourage you to do a search on threads from last year.</p>
<p>Many of the most competitive colleges are quite explicit about the “core” courses they would like for you to complete in high school. You can learn about their expectations by studying their admissions web sites.</p>
<p>The typical expectation for foreign language (which is considered a core subject) is to reach the equivalent of 4 years of one language. This means not only fluency, but also significant study of the literature of that language in that language. The 4-year equivalence does not necessarily means 4-years of high school study. It can mean a combination of middle school study and high school study, etc.</p>
<p>You can choose to do less. At less competitive colleges that may not matter so much, and occasionally for very strong applicants (in areas outside language) it may not matter at very selective colleges.</p>
<p>If you’re going to a competitive university, then you bet you’re taking that ‘recommended’ year. If you’re going to a lax university, still take that extra year that they recommend, it makes you look good. c:</p>