<p>I had a meeting with my college guidance counselor today, and she was less than happy with my schooling prior to my transfer. Apparently, because my school never offered a foreign language course, this greatly limits the potential colleges I can attend. Can you guys tell me schools which don't require a foreign language?</p>
<p>Um...I'm confused.</p>
<p>Are you a high school student or a college student?
Did you previously attend something like a community college?
Is it impossible at this point to pick up a foreign language of some sort, somewhere?</p>
<p>I would think that if your high school did not offer a foreign language, you'd be fine if you explained your situation well. You can also take foreign language courses outside school, at a community college or a language school. However, this may only be an option for you if you live near a large metropolitan area.</p>
<p>If your college did not offer a foreign language, I'm assuming it's a community college. Again, you may want to look for outside ways to learn a foreign language.</p>
<p>Your lack of a foreign language (in theory) should not limit your selection of colleges. However, you must treat this situation very carefully and indicate very clearly that you intend to learn a foreign language in college.</p>
<p>I'm not an expert, but this seems like reasonable advice. I'm still not quite sure of your situation, so not all of that gobbledygook will apply.</p>
<p>Thanks JBVirtuoso. I am a high school senior. So you're saying that if I tell colleges that I intend to take a language in college there shouldn't be a problem?</p>
<p>Boxing, At most colleges foreign languages are recommended not required; however, for an academically rigorous college it would be unusual for an applicant to have NO language exposure at all. At selective colleges, many of the applicants are fluent in at least one language.</p>
<p>I certainly don't disbelieve you but I'm astonished: Your former high school offered NO foreign language? How can this be?</p>
<p>If that is truly the case you will not be penalized. Have your current or former counselor write a letter explaining this situation and think about what you can do to compensate.</p>
<p>Are you currently taking a language? If not, you should be. </p>
<p>Be aware that in addition to recommended language study prior to admissions, many colleges require proficiency once you matriculate. If those colleges on your list are among those that have a language requirement, then you should get a headstart learning a language now.</p>
<p>Have your GC write in her recommendation that your former h.s. didn't offer a foreign language.</p>
<p>You still can apply to highly selective colleges, and you have a chance of getting in because they evaluate applicants based on the opportunities they had at their schools. </p>
<p>Many colleges -- including second tier ones -- require students who didn't pass a foreign language proficiency test to take and pass a foreign language at the intermediate level in college, which typically means you'll have to take 2 years of a foreign language in college. Most other students in your class will have taken foreign languages before, possibly the language that you're taking even if you're in an elementary class. The class will move swiftly, but you'll have access to things like language labs where you can do self-directed exercises. It will probably be hard for you to learn a foreign language since you haven't been exposed to one before, but it will be possible as long as you realize that you'll need to study daily and do extra study since it will be a new experience for you.</p>
<p>If you have the money, it also would be worth it to do an immersion program in a foreign language the summer before attending college. There are some wonderful programs, for instance, for Spanish in Central and South America. Every week that you do an immersion is the equivalent of one month of studying the language in college.</p>
<p>BoxingLeprechaun, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you an observant Jew? If so, haven't you taken Hebrew for several years? That would count as a "foreign language" even if it wasn't in high school. If your Hebrew school has a transcript, just send an official copy from the Hebrew school. If your prior school were a Jewish Day School, doesn't Hebrew show up on it? And if Hebrew isn't a separate course, I think it's fine to explain all the course work you had to take in Hebrew (Talmud, Torah, etc.).</p>
<p>Alright, so if I let my potentail colleges know about the situation I was in, I should be in teh clear? That sounds great! And yes, it is true, my school offered no language courses, no APs, no honors, it really messed me over. That's why I'm taking the most challenging courseload possible in my new school. Just so everyone knows, I can speak a foreign language fluently. As Chedva mentioned, I've been in Jewish Day school since I was 5 years old, so I have a relatively good amount of exposure to a foreign language. I will also be taking a year off from school to study in Israel, so I guess that could count as some sort of language immersion program. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Just a thought--
As further "proof" of your abilities in a foreign language, can you take (I am assuming there is one) the SAT II in Hebrew and maybe the AP Exam for Hebrew??</p>
<p>The AP exam in hebrew is ridiculous. What we learn in school is not modern hebrew. Modern hebrew is probably one of the hardest languages in the world. We learn the hebrew that is in the Bible. Also, I don't think there is a SAT II for hebrew.</p>
<p>OK- what do I know. My kids only went to Hebrew School up to the time they had their Bat Mitzvah-
Then I would agree with Northstarmom- Have your guidance counselor explain that they did not offer a foreign language at your HS. Colleges will not hold it against you if the course was not offered.</p>
<p>"I will also be taking a year off from school to study in Israel, so I guess that could count as some sort of language immersion program."</p>
<p>I should think so. Make sure that you note this on your applications, and best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Thank you all, I don't know what I would've done without you all.</p>