<p>...for undergrad applicants.
I, however, do not think I will be taking a language next year (doubling up on History and math)
How big of a no-no is this?</p>
<p>It depends. If you're spending the time you would have spent on a foreign language doing something else which relates to another intellectual interest of yours, then it might actually help your application. I think admissions offices tend to like it when students have records that indicate they took the initiative to go above and beyond in their field of interest. It's a very Ivy league sort of thing to do.</p>
<p>My son only took three years of language in hs and was accepted by Columbia. However, because he basically learned no Latin, and had a bad experience (revolving door teachers) he ended up starting over with a new language and having to take two years of language in college, which has been a real pain to him (though possibly good for him.) anyway, the lack of a fourth year did not keep him out. He did have a very strong hs program besides this.</p>
<p>No big deal. just make sure you're taking another AP or something worthwhile instead of a language. I.e., don't be a teacher's aide or take PE.</p>