<p>Hi.</p>
<p>I'm an international student looking to apply for a major in mechanical or aeronautical engineering. I'm going into senior year and as I research requirements for multiple schools, they require a language other than English.</p>
<p>It isn't that I can't speak any other language (English is actually my second language) but I haven't taken any classes in my first language (Japanese) for almost 3 years, when I was in Japan. But in terms of proficiency, I consider myself as able to speak/read/write in Japanese as I do in English.</p>
<p>As I read foreign language requirements on the web, they ask for 2-3 years of high school level courses; something that I do not have. First of all, will universities accept my foreign language even if it is my native language? Secondly, will taking an AP Japanese exam be enough to prove my proficiency to universities?</p>
<p>This is really worrying me as my school only offers Mandarin and I only have one year before uni. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>I don’t think you have to worry about taking another language. You are already bilingual so schools will be flexible about how you prove that. I think a high school standardized test in Japanese like AP or GCE would suffice. </p>
<p>Contact admissions offices for schools you are interested in and ask what kind of proof the particular school will accept. GL</p>
<p>Relieved to hear that. Thanks.</p>
<p>I will try contacting admission offices as well.</p>
<p>I would definitely try to contact someone from a school and see what they say, because I feel that the language requirement is less about being bilingual, and more about showing that you can put in the time and effort.</p>
<p>Hmmm, it seems to me that if you have taken English classes then perhaps you have in fact taken a foreign language. Best advice, as others have suggested, is to call the admissions office of the schools you are considering. Good luck!</p>
<p>California public universities are looking for a specified level of proficiency in a language other than English, which can be satisfied in a number of ways (AP, IB, SAT subject test, course work in schools where English is not the primary language, sufficiently advanced college course in the language).</p>
<p>[University</a> of California - Language other than English (“e”)](<a href=“http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/e-language/index.html]University”>http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/e-language/index.html)</p>
<p>For other schools, you may have to check their web sites or contact them directly (many are vague enough on their web sites that they do not clearly state whether “three years of foreign language” means three actual years of classes, or (more likely) proficiency equivalent to completion of the third year).</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies.</p>
<p>Mixed opinions I see
I will try consulting my school counsellor for college admissions as well as contacting schools.</p>
<p>Anything I should be aware of when contacting school admission offices? Should I be extremely polite and formal? I was thinking of emailing rather than calling; is calling a better way to contact them?</p>