<p>If I managed to get into Columbia and majored in poli sci with a focus in international relations, what is the maximum number of foreign languages you think I'd be able to fit into my schedule? I'm a rising senior and I'll be taking German IV next year, and I'd like to continue that in college and also take another language or two. I realize however, that this is not necessarily realistic, so I'm wondering how close to this ideal I'd be able to get. Thanks.</p>
<p>probably two at a time but language classes are alot of work since you have hw every night</p>
<p>yea, memorizing 50-100 different vocab words in 2 different languages every week would probably get really old, really fast. (tho that really only applies to elementary classes, u would have essays and whatnot in advanced things like german for you)</p>
<p>How many credits are language courses usually and what does that translate to in terms of lessons and whatever else you have to take per week?</p>
<p>Also consider the increased opportunity cost of studying so many foreign languages.</p>
<p>You can usually study languages at places besides the university for much, much less money. Use those Columbia course slots to take advantage of those expensive Columbia professors ;)</p>
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How many credits are language courses usually and what does that translate to in terms of lessons and whatever else you have to take per week?
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<p>look it up ---> <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/%5B/url%5D">http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/</a></p>
<p>I have a friend here who took French, Spanish and Arabic (all at various levels of proficiency) his first year. I wouldn't really advise taking anything near that heavy because he missed out on taking his major courses (i.e., PoliSci coursework). </p>
<p>The level of work will depend on the mount of Chinese, Japanese and intensive Spanish are all really quite time-consuming here (as is intensive German--one semester of the class is worth eight credits!), but you'll have an easier time with regular-track French, Spanish, Swahili, etc. </p>
<p>A lot of people take schedules that look like this their first year:
Fall: LitHum / UWriting / Language / Intro (intended major) / Elective
Spring: LitHum / Frontiers / Language / Major Elective / Elective</p>
<p>You might want to try some non-PoliSci intro classes for your last classes or knocking out the stats requirement of the PoliSci major. Perhaps look at starting a new foreign language your second year once you've mastered college-level German (and keep an eye out/ask about the "German for Diplomacy" class!)</p>