Hi, I notice many colleges reccomend or require 3-4 years of foreign language. I wanted to start it sophomore year, but the class was full. My school makes us take art/drama 4 years, and very rarely do people here take 2 years of a language. I am a rising junior, and will make sure to have Italian (my schedule didn’t even have it yet, they wanted me to start it senior year). If no one from my school takes Italian three years (I will ask if it is even offered, since there’s only one teacher for it), does it put me at a disadvantage? Should I not apply to top tier schools who want 3-4 years? I will make sure my gc writes that I was unable to start it sophomore year. In ny, to get an advanced diploma you need 3 years of foreign language, but you can get an arts endorsed one with 4 years of art, which is what my school does. Thanks
Colleges do put out their requirements, but you can’t be punished for your school’s restrictions on your schedule.
If you are really worried, I would email the admissions officers at colleges you are looking at and ask how to handle your situation.
You can contact admissions officers to see if, provided your school would not allow you to take a language sophomore year, it will be an issue. Could you have taken a different language and just didn’t want to?
You could consider self-studying and catching up to 2nd year Italian for next year. It shouldn’t be hard to do and would count as if you had taken 1st year (i.e. they generally care for level not “year” so if you complete 2nd and 3rd year Italian you’ve fulfilled “three years” of a language). You could also see if you can do an independent study with the Italian teacher. You would have to do homework and come in for tests at lunch/before or after school but some schools will still give you credit if the teacher is willing to take you on.
If you don’t fulfill the three years then definitely ensure your GC mentions it.