Do I have to take foreign language?

<p>I am currently an new international sophmore at a boarding school, I am wondering if I should take a foreign laguage class here, because the best colleges require applicants to take at least 3 years foreign language. But I only have 5 periods everyday, if I replace one class by a foreign language course I will miss the chance to take at least 2 AP classes. By the way, is there anyone going to Harvard without taking an foreign language course besides English and theirs' mother language?</p>

<p>This isn't the Harvard board.</p>

<p>I mean Princeton</p>

<p>" ...the best colleges require applicants to take at least 3 years foreign language"</p>

<p>No the best colleges do not require 3 years. Granted a couple do require a language but many of the best colleges require none.</p>

<p>You could always enroll in those cool online Language courses like
eLycee French Language courses or equivalent Spanish/Italian/German
at other online sites.....and then take the SAT IIs or APs if you are motivated
to learn a language (hopefuly not because you think it looks good on your
resume)</p>

<p>....and yes though there are obviously exceptions to the rule (at least from
those who end up in Princeton caliber of colleges from <strong>my school</strong>)
--- at least 3 years of a language and more like 4 seem to be important
or they tend to languish on waitlists despite other comparable stats to
matriculants....</p>

<p>hmmm...just realized after I posted that it could be the
comparison against other students graduating at my school who
as a majority tend to have 4 years of a foreign language and at
least one AP foreign language.......that could be the reason killing the applicants without the comparable language achievement...?</p>

<p>so maybe Cressida is spot on....? :confused:</p>

<p>if you want to learn another language, then you definitely should. if the process is hellish to you, don't torture yourself. of course speaking multiple languages will benefit you, but their potential impact on college admission isn't a real reason to undertake such a thing [or anything]. princeton expects applicants to have taken 2-3 years of a foreign language in high school, partly to ensure that eveyone has at least a leg-up for the actual language requirement you must fulfill AT princeton [2 years or 4 semesters' equivalent]. obviously for ESL/international students, you won't be expected to learn another language, but princeton's language instruction is among the best in the world [so you might as well ;)]</p>

<p>of course, that's a concern for after you've [theoretically] gotten in.</p>

<p>Though it's not a requirement for university, most colleges do expect that you take two years of foreign language (here in California, it's a requirement: 2 years of performing arts or foreign language). If you feel that it would detract from your AP schedule, then that's fine. But if you have the opportunity, you should definitely take the chance to learn another language, inside or out of the classroom.</p>