<p>So, I moved from a really bad school district right before beginning my freshman year; I had to register late, and I wasn't able to take a foreign language. The following year, I registered to take German, but the teacher left over the summer, and by the time we were notified, all the other classes were full. So now I'm a junior, and in Spanish I...I plan on applying to selective out-of-state schools, and the rest of my stats are pretty good (most rigorous course selection, in school honors program, [what I think are] solid extracurriculars), but I'm not sure if having only 1-2 credits will completely ruin my chances. Right now my only other option is taking a really expensive distance learning course, and even if we could afford it, it would be impossible to do over the summer since you must have a teacher to proctor the exam. I have considered self-studying for the SAT II, do you guys think that would count for anything (considering that I did well)?</p>
<p>It may count for something, but colleges generally have a minimum requirement for foreign languages. Check to see if any of the colleges you plan on applying to do. By the way, have you taken any foreign languages besides Spanish? If you took, say, a year of another language, you would have 1 year other language + 2 years Spanish = 3 ears total, which is fine for most colleges.</p>
<p>No, because of the old school, and scheduling conflicts at the new school, this is my first foreign language credit ever. So am a pretty much screwed?</p>
<p>It depends on the colleges to which you want to apply. Check on their websites. They generally won't reject you even if you didn't fulfill all of their requirements if you're desirable for the college anyway.</p>
<p>Well for the last year or so I've been looking at:</p>
<p>Tufts
Reed
UChicago
Swarthmore
Brown
Vassar
Colgate
Wellesley
Bryn Mawr</p>
<p>I called a few and asked, but always wound up talking to a receptionist who never gave me a clear answer. This whole thing is worrying me so much.</p>
<p>University of Chicago recommends study of a foreign language, no specific amount of years.</p>
<p>At Swarthmore, taking three years of foreign language exempts one from their requirement, so I'd assume two is fine.</p>
<p>Brown has no requirement.</p>
<p>Colgate has no requirement, but they're more likely to accept students who have "strong language ability."</p>
<p>Those are the only ones I could find.</p>
<p>I feel a little better now, thanks. With Colgate, would scoring well on a language SAT II demonstrate "strong language ability"? I'm sure I would have no problem self-studying for it.</p>
<p>Again, thank you so much. It just freaked me out when I called a few places and was told that they were REQUIREMENTS and that I was pretty much screwed (but then again, I never got to talk to an actual admissions officer...).</p>
<p>Well maybe if you explain your situation when you apply you won't be totally screwed.</p>
<p>I think your circumstance is entirely understandable and will be taken into account in the process. If you do not get into a school on your list, don't assume that it's because of the lack of a steady foreign language (which was, as it sounds like, not your fault at all), but just recognize that there are so many great applicants out there.</p>
<p>Make sure that information is available to adcoms, though, through your guidance counselor writeup.</p>