<p>I am planning on applying to Cornell RD. I intend to major in chemistry and go to medical school upon graduation. However, as I was filling out my common application I thought to check for special requirements at Cornell's individual colleges. The college of arts and sciences (which is where I would major in chemistry obviously) has a foreign language requirement of 3 credits. This is my problem. My high school doesn't require foreign languages and I never have liked them very much anyway, so I opted for music classes instead. There is a disclaimer stating that you are still eligible as long as you "explain any deficiencies." Assuming the rest of my application is competitive, would having 18 credits of fine arts over 4 years (marching band, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, chamber strings, jazz band) and all AP classes in every other subject be good enough?</p>
<p>i don't think you should talk about the fact that you don't like foreign languages... after all they want it..</p>
<p>concentrate on your passion for fine arts, 18 credits on that... ya i think you will have a lot to say : )</p>
<p>SHOW DEDICATION.</p>
<p>A foreign language is an important part of being an Arts student. There is a foreign language requirement for entering CAS and there is a foreign language requirement for graduating from CAS.</p>
<p>When we visited Cornell in October we spoke with an admissions staff member from CAS. My son has only two years of foreign language rather than the three they want. The admissions representative told us not to worry, that that is one of the things they look at least but that he would have to fulfill a language requirement to graduate, which is OK with him. He did say to write the letter explaining why but that not having 3 years would not be a reason to deny him admission. Not having any foreign language may be a different story--I think it depends on how well you explain why you haven't taken foreign language and acknowledging that you understand you will have to take one there and maybe expressing an interest in one you would like to take will be key.</p>
<p>I'm a little confused by this... is there a foreign language requirement to graduate (ILR)?</p>
<p>I only know of the language requirement for arts and sciences students but you might be able find out by looking at the Cornell website.</p>
<p>o no...i have 2 years in french and 2 years in chinese but i dun have any that i have taken for 3 years. do i need to write a letter to them as well?</p>
<p>Ciniedy - I'd mention it to be safe.</p>
<p>It should be generally known by now that most colleges (especially liberal Ivies) require foreign language classes, which are essential to any major.</p>
<p>Would having 18 credits of fine arts over 4 years... and all AP classes in every other subject be good enough?
IMO, that has nothing to do with not having foreign language credits; are you trying to say that AP classes in other subjects = foreign language? It's a totally different skills set and totally different subject area. Seems a little absurd to me personally, but contact Cornell and see what they tell you; I'm not an admissions officer. You'll need to be very convincing explaining why you don't have a language credit, and something like, "I dislike languages so I opted for music" won't be too impressive. Try "My school didn't require languages, so I thought I'd focus on my passion - music. I felt that it was something that I could contribute greatly to, while at the same time learning essential leadership and management skills." If you can make it sound good, that's the key. Maybe explain that you feel music classes share some of the things you could learn in a language class - communication and expression of ideas?</p>
<p>o wait, i dropped 3rd year chinese AFTER i sent them my current courses. which means they probably think i have 3 years. is it alright if i only mention it in mid year report? that is...if i can get accepted...</p>
<p>Don't you have to notify them about any schedule changes (drops, adds, etc.) asap?? If you don't, and your midyear report comes in and your schedule is different, they have a reason to rescind your acceptance. I'm assuming this is especially true if you don't meet the requirements (ex: dropping that english class senior year when they require 4 years of english)</p>
<p>I'm not completely sure about this, but this is what my guidance counselor told me.</p>
<p>This is correct. Your acceptance is only provisional. Thus, Cornell can rescind it later for not keeping up grades, not completing requirements, etc.</p>