<p>i speak Georgian(my native language) native english (i came here when i was 6 years old as an immigrant and im the first generation in my family going to college not only in this country but anywhere) fluent spanish, fluent russian, fluent ukranian, fluent belarussian (theyre all fairly similar and since they all stemmed from eastern slavic i dont know if they would count as 3 different ones but they are pretty different), decent/average german, and conversational italian. i love traveling and learning languages but i dont have an interest in pursuing that in college would this give me a reasonable advantage? im also a freshman if that matters maybe i can even learn more by senior year!</p>
<p>“I love traveling and learning languages but i dont have an interest in pursuing that in college would this give me a reasonable advantage?”</p>
<p>By itself, no. </p>
<p>That said, all selective colleges want applicants who are self-motivated learners. If you can write an essay that demonstrates your love of learning new languages that might pique the interest of an Admissions Committee – it all depends on how you approach the subject and what you write about. </p>
<p>Even if you do not have an interest in pursing languages in college, DO NOT bring that up in the essay or anywhere else in your application, as it might sink any good-will you get from your essay about your love of learning languages.</p>
<p>I didn’t word that correctly, I meant the speaking of the 8 languages, would that help me a good amount?(6? Does Ukrainian and Belarusian stand out different from Russian or do they consider the same as Russian? Cuz it’s not)</p>
<p>Speaking 8 or 18 languages, by and of itself, is NOT going to give you any advantage. Writing about your love of learning languages and why you like learning them, might help you. Got it?</p>
<p>Yup thanks</p>
<p>You can take some external standardized exams such as GCE exams to demonstrate your level of knowledge. The definition of fluency ranges from person to person.</p>
<p>But even then, don’t overlook the point that gibby is making. PB23’s ability to speak a whole bunch of languages doesn’t do a whole lot for Harvard in and of itself. If being a polyglot has something to do with your studies or your ambitions, that’s one thing. But if it doesn’t, then it’s no more beneficial for Harvard to admit an applicant with skill in languages than to admit some other applicant who does the world’s greatest Calvin Coolidge impersonation. An interesting trick at parties, perhaps, but not especially useful to Harvard.</p>