I am applying ED to Columbia College, but I have not taken a single language course during high school. I’m trying to make up for that by taking online classes for a foreign language, but will my application not even be taken into consideration if I do not include these classes?
I tried searching up admission requirements but could not find a source that states Columbia requires a world language.
Thanks for the help!
bump
Transcript rigor and performance are the main points of evaluation. Unless you can somehow explain away why, over 3.5 years, you’ve not been able to take a foreign language, I think you’re a completely non-viable applicant RD or ED despite your other transcript strengths. That’s my two cents. Good luck however – I hope I’m wrong.
http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/ask/faq/question/2407
The College has no explicit number of unit requirements for admission, but applicants must present evidence that they are prepared for college work in the humanities, mathematics, social sciences, foreign languages and natural sciences. Accordingly, the College strongly recommends the following preparation:
Four years of English literature and composition
Three to four years of mathematics
Three to four years of history and social studies
Three to four years of one foreign language (ancient or modern)
Three to four years of laboratory science
Students who plan to become scientists, engineers, physicians or dentists should be as solidly grounded in mathematics and the sciences as their high school schedules and curricula have permitted. The study of mathematics, at least through pre-calculus, is strongly advised wherever possible.
Modifying the preparatory program just outlined - by taking more work in some subjects and less in others - is not only acceptable but may be desirable in individual cases. The vast majority of successful applicants to the College have taken five academic courses per term for all four years of secondary/high school.
Ack, most of us refer to Columbia University, to distinguish it from the many other Columbia Colleges.
As allyphoe shows, not that hard to find this for Columbia U. But I think you mean can it hurt you. Yes, it can. The comment about modifying doesn’t mean flat out ignoring. With the volume of apps they will get, they can pick the kids they best feel meet their needs.
You have a good excuse? The usual acceptable (maybe) scenario is a STEM kid taking highly advanced math-sci classes and a schedule conflict with the 4th year of language study. And I hope this isn’t about a girl in NYC, hope that you have truly researched what they expect and matched yourself.
If you just never felt interested enough to take a language, it might hurt you. If there were legitimate reasons you couldn’t (not offered, always conflicted with a different class), then they might look past it.
I beleive some colleges will let you test out of FL if yiu can show proficiency in a second language. I would call Columbia and ask about that if yiu can’t find the info on their website.
Did your HS offer foreign languages?
My high school does offer foreign languages, but I live in Arizona where its public schools do not require a foreign language for graduation. So I never felt any need to learn a language when I am already fluent in 3.
I am worried because I feel like I won’t have a chance at ANY top college, just because I neglected to take courses that were not required by my state.
So call them and explain that you are fluent in three languages. Ask if they will accept AP test scores of five as proof of fluency. Or ask if they have a language placement test. And ask your counselor to mention your trilingual abilities. Stop worrying and be proactive, and remember there are dozens of amazing colleges that aren’t Columbia.
Are you able to prove fluency and literacy in any or all of the three languages in a way that colleges will recognize (e.g. AP exam, taking a high level college course in that language, other language exam)? You may want to ask colleges that you are applying to which of these may be accepted.
Just because a course is not required for high school graduation does not mean that colleges will ignore the absence of such in your application.
OP, did you ever go and see your school’s guidance counselor or advisor about what courses you should take in high school?
Even though Arizona high schools may not require foreign language for graduation, Arizona public universities have foreign language requirements for admission: https://students.asu.edu/admission/competencies . So college-bound Arizona students should have at least been made aware of the need to take foreign language, or show proficiency in the other ways allowed by the Arizona public universities.
I you should take AP, CLEP, etc tests to show you are fluent. I don’t blame your for not taking FL, there are only so many hours in the day and there are other things to learn or that might be required.
I myself am a little weak in foreign language (2 yrs) but with the exception of only 1 college, all the ones I wanted to apply to only required 2 years, and some (GA Tech) only RECOMMENDED two years because they would like kids studying math & science, I guess.
My college counselor also said if you can show persistence in a difficult subject, whatever it is, it also gets across the same message as 4 years of a foreign language. I have two things like that- Eagle Scout and regional/state honors n French horn.
So anyway, I only have 2 years of a foreign language which does freak out some of my friends and relatives but for me, in particular, it was a good choice. I want to be an engineer, and I wanted to stay in band. If I wanted to go into liberal arts it would definitely be different.
I just need to point out a common misconception. AP/CLEP/SAT Subject Tests all test to a much lower level than “fluent.” None will prove fluency, but they might meet a college’s requirements. Regardless, if the OP doesn’t have an AP/Subject Tests score in a FL at this point, it’s a little late from an admissions standpoint for ED. Depending on the language, you might want to take a Subject Test, but then you would also need to forgo applying ED, since you won’t have scores in time.
Agreed. I can’t believe that a GC never had this conversation with you. Regardless, your best option now is to ask Columbia admissions directly and see what they say/suggest.
OP, what languages are you fluent in?
My advise is to NOT apply ED , and take FL subject test in DEC [ the registration deadline is Nov 3] and have the test results sent asap to ALL highly competitive colleges that require/ recommend 3+ years of FL.
Admissions to Columbia is HIGHLY competitive and calling them to say you "did not know"about the language requirement is essentially the same as saying you did not bother to check their website for admissions requirements- it wont do you any good.
take the language subject tests and prove to them, with great test scores, that you ARE fluent.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/register/test-dates-deadlines
I would just like to point out that I AM taking foreign languages through an online school - I mentioned this in the OP. However, I only have about a year of a foreign language, and have put down on my Common App that I am planning to take 2 more years of that language in one semester. Will this suffice to admissions when they see that I am trying to fulfill their requirements, albeit it’s a bit late?
not really, especially with colleges that EXPECT that students will have taken 3 years of FL in HS.
So do as I suggested and take the subject tests in Dec. High scores will PROVE you have learned a FL well enough.
Many colleges REQUIRE students that have not scored at high levels to take FL classes in college.
You seem unwilling to take competency exams in the other languages (which might solve any issue) …?