<p>By the end of my senior year, I will have taken three AP languages by the end of high school. I was wondering how impressive or distinguishing that might be, because my grades aren't stellar, and I don't have many extracurriculars except for music ones. My parents keep trying to tell me that it is impressive, because no one else is doing that, but my reasoning is that it's because no one likes languages as much as I do. I just wanted to know you guys' opinion because I reallyyy want to go to Stanford, and I know they place less weight on academics (GPA, SAT) and more on some kind of passion. But this is just taking some more classes, and not really an "extracurricular," although I have had to go to language camps and do a lot of self-studying on my own, which they'll probably see because I've done a lot of skipping and stuff to fit it all into my schedule. But I really don't know. Anyway, if you could give me some feedback, that would great. Thanks =]</p>
<p>It will help but I don’t think it would make up for an otherwise weak application (you seem to be alluding to this but I what people consider to be less than stellar might actually be fine, so I don’t know). Are you fluent in these languages? Keep in mind, there are a good number of kid here who speak multiple languages, there is a difference between taking the AP test and being fluent.</p>
<p>^I agree with cloudberry. It will not make up for a weak application. Most of the students applying to Stanford will probably have better ecs and grades than you. Though you may have a passion, you must keep in mind that a great deal of other students applying will as well. They pick students as an investment in the future. They want kids that’ll become famous or rich so that 1. they can brag about it or 2. get more funding. Speaking multiple languages is impressive but not so much so that it will compensate for your lack of academics</p>
<p>what grade are you in now?</p>
<p>You seem to have a passion for linguistics?? Or is there something else in your life that language impacts. I’d say spin this in your favor. 3 AP Languages is an accomplishment…dont let it slip away. And since ur not a senior, work on those grades and standarized test scores. Dont give up just yet</p>
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<p>The mid-career median salary for Stanford graduates is 124,000 dollars. </p>
<p>Of course they want some kids who will become rich/famous, but they realize many graduates are not. Depending on your definition of rich, a majority are not. It’s not like they only accept the next Van Gogh or only econ/business/compsci majors. A lot of people here will never be famous or rich (myself included probably :)) and this is generally apparent from the app. As long as Stanford can grab the next Sergei whatever or Tiger Woods, most of the other admits don’t really matter financial or prestige wise.</p>
<p>Gosh, why do so many intelligent people think so narrow-mindedly? The implications of being trilingual (or quadrilingual, if you’re counting English) are greater than whether it’ll give you a better shot at Stanford. The answer to that, if you need to know, is that it’s not likely to be a game-changer; more of a strengthener that can turn a likely into an acceptance. But you should be thinking about the implications of your language abilities on your career prospects in the globalized economy. It will definitely be a strong addition to any resume and I encourage you to maintain fluency where possible.</p>
<p>^ That goes without saying srrinath, but at the same time realize that taking 3 ap languages =/= being fluent, which is why I asked in my first post.</p>
<p>Also, why are you chastising us for being narrow minded? We were answering the OP’s question about the college application process. S/he did not ask us about her prospects for jobs or what kind of career s/he should peruse, s/he wanted to know how her/his language abilities would affect her/his admissions at Stanford, and we answered her/his question. That is not being narrow minded, that is being concise.</p>