How much do selective colleges really care about foreign languages?

Applying to College
1

<p>Do they like students who study popular languages like Spanish/French/German, or students who study uncommon languages (as in languages that aren't really taught in high schools, i.e. Arabic or Portuguese)? I speak English and Chinese natively, am taking AP French next year (perfect score on French final exam this year, near-perfect grade in the class), hold an internationally-recongized certificate in intermediate German (Zertifikat B1), and also have command of Norwegian and Swedish, and will eventually learn Danish, and maybe Dutch.</p>

<p>Do they really care, or should I focus on something else? Especially since I want to go into computer science or maybe finance, <strong>which has nothing to do with languages</strong>.
Besides, on my college application, do I even have room to mention this? How do I prove it?
And it would look really stupid to send an 800 SAT Chinese score if I'm native? It's like sending in a TOEFL score?</p>

<p>If it matters, I think I do well academically, and am taking 6 AP's next year (junior) and I have had 90 or above in every class so far.</p>

<p>(sorry, I'm very inexperienced with colleges)</p>

2

<p>PS: I have extracurriculars relating to the majors I would like to pursue, so that is not a problem. The foreign language thing is just extra, and idk how important it is to selective colleges.</p>

3

<p>The best way to judge what a college requires/needs is to google each college on your list for foreign language requirements. For example, at Harvard (<a href=“http://static.fas.harvard.edu/registrar/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter2/language_requirement.html”>http://static.fas.harvard.edu/registrar/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter2/language_requirement.html&lt;/a&gt;), you can test out of all foreign language requirements by taking one of their placement tests or by scoring a 7+ on the IB or 5 on the AP – so I wouldn’t worry about proving proficiency at Harvard, especially as they don’t require the TOEFL. Other schools will have different requirements, so there isn’t a nice easy short cut. You’ll have to check with each school on your list.</p>

4

<p>An 800 on Chinese is great! But you’re native so that pretty much defeats the purpose of the test. Most colleges want the language test (if you take one) to be of a nonnative language.
However, you could put that you speak all these languages on your application. It’s interesting, but it won’t get you into the school.</p>

5

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<p>Send it as an additional SAT subject score beyond any that are required or recommended (e.g. if a college requires or recommends 2 SAT subject scores, send the 800 in a native or heritage language as the third SAT subject score).</p>

6

<p>I’m no expert but if you are an applicant from China, I wouldn’t take the Chinese SAT II. But if I was from the US I would.</p>

<p>Multiple language skills are impressive --it doesn’t matter what your major is. However, do not pile on unless you are doing it for yourself. College don’t expect or even want student to do career focus EC. You do not need to start specializing in HS, in this country.</p>

7

<p>@BrownParent‌ What does “career focus EC” and “specializing in HS” mean?</p>

8

<p>In terms of requirements and whatnot, foreign language really isn’t that important. However judging by the fact that you have a command over an impressive array of languages there’s no reason why you shouldn’t showcase your abilities. Selective colleges nowadays look for kids with good grades and interesting stories/interests. If you can make your love of languages -or perhaps the circumstances that caused you to learn so many languages- prevalent in your personal statements I think it could help your application. </p>

<p>Send the 800 in Chinese unless you’re actually applying from China. It can really only help </p>