<p>My high school has limited foreign language offerings, and when I realized there weren't any I was interested in, I began learning a language I was actually liked, Japanese, on my own for fun. I will have one year of classes in German at my school, but most colleges require two and recommend three or four years of foreign language classes. If I stop taking German after one year, but continue to pursue Japanese (and score highly on the Japanese AP and/or SAT II tests) will colleges look past my not meeting the foreign language requirement?</p>
<p>It depends on the school.</p>
<p>In general, private universities have more flexibility, but if it is a very selective university to be honest those applicants without the minimum qualifications wouldn’t get a look.</p>
<p>State universities have an obligation to the taxpayers that support them to be clear and transparent in stating and following minimum admissions requirements and often do not have the option of flexibility. The UC and CSU systems, for example, will not consider applicants without the A-G requirements (except by “Admissions by Exception,” which would require extenuating circumstances, not just a preference for a different language).</p>
<p>So if you are looking at non-selective private universities, you will probably be okay. Otherwise, be sure to get all the requirements.</p>
<p>It depends on each school but I would say yes, they will look at you. My D only had 2 years of spanish but they were spanish 3 and 4 so she knew as much or more than many kids who took 3 years of a foreign language. And, I think pursuing something that interests you indedpendently show great thrist for knowledge. I think you will be fine.</p>
<p>^ The difference is that your student MET the minimum requirement of two years. The OP plans to not meet the minimum requirement for most colleges of two years and only take one year. If he/she is in California, he/she will be rejected from all 9 UCs and all 23 CSUs.</p>
<p>Most, if not all, high schools have foreign language graduation requirements. Not getting a diploma would definitely hurt your college chances.</p>
<p>Going back to your original question … which was, can you self study a language, and then take the SAT 2 or AP in the language, scoring high enough so you meet college admissions requirements. At least in the case of the University of California system you can do that: “Earning a satisfactory score on a recognized test (such as an SAT II: Subject Test, Advanced Placement test or Higher Level International Baccalaureate exam) or a proficiency test administered by a UC campus or another university.” There may be exceptions at your college/university of choice that are similar. Best is to ask – as by sending a note to the relevant head of admissions.</p>
<p>I disagree that it depends on selectivity. At private selective universities I’ve visited that post recommended credits in certain areas (Vassar and Brown) they’ve said that they are guidelines that you need most of, but it is still excusable to be slightly off. That said, I think you should take at least 2 years of a German and then self-study Japanese if that’s what you’re interested in. Test scores are typically just used for placement or waiving the college’s foreign language requirement. I’m not sure if they would waive high school requirements, but you could e-mail an admissions rep.</p>
<p>many of the schools my D applied to wanted 3 years minimum of foreign language. I guess it depends on whether the school has a holistic approach to application or if its more numbers based. </p>
<p>One thing you can do now is to call some of the schools that intersest you and ask the admissions office what their policy is. </p>
<p>If you only take 1 year of German at your school, you would want to make sure your transcript shows what you have done on your own–or at least have a way to highlight that in the application.</p>
<p>Also, there are lots of online high school courses that you can take. You may be able to take your japanese that way–so you are getting actual credits for it and can document that you have done the work. I know many universities offer online courses for high schoolers. My D took an AP class that way. And you can do these over the summer if you choose.</p>
<p>Not to change the direction of the thread too much, but is 3 or 4 years of a language significantly better than 2? I’m in a position where I can take either another AP or get my third and fourth year of language next year. Is it to my benefit to get the language done? I’ll have two years after my junior year, so no problems with meeting the basic requirement.</p>
<p>^^3 to 4 years of a foreign language is significantly better, i.e., it works in your admission favor, than 2 years plus a high AP or SAT score to suggest proficiency.</p>
<p>I have queried this exact question at both public and private universities and colleges directly to admission directors and all have responded the same: the institution wants to see not just mastery in foreign language but a willingness to stay with a subject matter over time (a stick-to-it attitude). For some students this is a difficult task and demonstrates they are not shy of doing the difficult; for other students this is easy, as they have mastered the language but still will show they ‘followed the institute’s recommendations’, much like those required in college work.</p>
<p>A word about admission “requirements” vs “recommendations”: each school’s requirement on foreign language that you’re applying to obviously must be met. The schools “recommendation” for number of years of foreign language is more complex for the individual student to interpret given their circumstances and desires. Please know that two top 50 admissions directors told me that not meeting their foreign language recommendations means your applications is lower in chance of selection for admission than someone who followed all of their recommendations which are spelled out on their admission page and has equal footing otherwise. I asked them to repeat this, so I understood what they were saying with precision to pass it on to my college applicants.</p>
<p>The take home message to me, whether I wanted to hear it or not was, meet all of our recommendations and you stand a better chance of being in the top of the select pile if all else in our holistic review concurs. </p>
<p>Good luck to all of you.</p>