So, I have been taking Japanese since I was 11 years old…in middle school, it was the first time I could ever really challenge myself through my own choice. I chose it because I was both fascinated with it and I knew I would have to work hard to excel in it…now, I am in my 7th year of Japanese (I am taking AP Japanese). I have been apart of the Japanese Club at my school for all four years (I have not been able to hold a leadership position in it because of my commitments leading in student council/my school’s magazine)
I say all of this to ask: will colleges notice this? Will they care that I tried to challenge myself in this way, and that I have dedicated so much effort to this subject?
EDIT: to give context, I am applying to Vanderbilt ED, UTK (accepted), Emory, WASHU, UChicago, Northwestern, Kenyon, UNC Chapel Hill, and NYU
@Dolemite I did not; I didn’t know much about the SAT in general until this year as I had only taken and known about the ACT. My area is a very ACT focused area and I did not know subject tests existed, I assumed it was only the standard SAT…which, admittedly, can be blamed on me, but that is my dilemma.
Yes, they will notice, and if you plan on continuing it may help, all things being equal, by it won’t make up for anything. Essentially it can only be cherry on top of the cake. It’ll help you stand out and demonstrate qualities like intellectual curiosity and work ethics.
Il assume here that Japanese is a foreign language to you, not a heritage language.
Of course colleges will see it both on your academic transcript and on your activity list. But keep in mind that virtually everyone who is a strong candidate for top tier colleges had also challenged themselves academically and has strong ECs.