UCs (and CSUs) actually specify 2nd year of high school foreign language, or equivalent college course, or equivalent in demonstrated proficiency (e.g. SAT subject test, AP test, college language placement test, or attendance in a foreign not-primarily-English school at a high enough grade level).
mom2collegekids, I took no foreign language in high school as it wasn’t required. I graduated in 1980. I also took no foreign language in college, though I had three semesters of ASL. Fyi.
@sbjdorlo Where did you go to HS?
Many colleges didn’t (or still don’t) require a FL, particularly if you’re an eng’g major. That said, many consider ASL as fulfilling the req’tl.
Tucson, Arizona. Typical public high school.
And ASL was a part of my major (communicative disorders), so it was all I needed apparently. Probably would have been good to take Spanish, but I probably know more Spanish than a lot of kids that take it formally in college.
Why not take the SAT II Spanish test?
Perhaps the comment about homeschooling was meant to be about the variation in quality, preparedness and appropriate experience of those doing the schooling? Some are terrific and have a great plan and curriculum. Some just leave it to the Internet.
Some blame also goes to the traditional school that did not catch this issue when the student was entering as a junior.
Hello. Can I ask what schools your middle school got into? My son is #2 in his class. Has a weighted GPA of about 4.45 but has not taken foreign language because he also has a great art talent so he has been in Art instead. He didn’t have space for both. Just curious what your experience with applying was. Thanks
@jenmadden : can your son take foreign language at a community college as a dual enrolled (/pseo, running start…) student?
With zero foreign language he’s unlikelybto be eligible for most selective 4-year colleges, including your state flagship. Taking 2semesters of dual enrolled foreign language classes would cover the basic requirements for most state flagships (outside of Michigan and Virginia).
Some universities and colleges that are especially supportive of art students aren’t necessarily art colleges, and offer better financial aid and merit aid. (almost all art colleges gap terribly. )
Here’s an option to try and catch up-right now I’m taking Spanish 2001 (aka 201) online. I could have chosen to take 2001-2002 compressed into one semester, but since I last took a Spanish class 20 years ago, I thought I should take the entire semester on the 2001 class.
My point is, at least in Georgia, there are a ton of reasonably priced (or free) online options for you to try and get caught up between now and next year. Some are through high schools, some are through community colleges, and some are through regular 4 year publics (like the one I’m attending).
@rose795 What you need is to look at a smaller school with holistic admissions. Most will still have foreign language requirements, but admissions officers at these schools are often extremely flexible for a student with other strengths.
You absolutely are not limited to a community college.
@rose795 The suggestion was already made by @MYOS1634 but the best idea is to take the courses as a dual enrolled student and your local community college while still in high school. Is the OP a junior or senior? At some schools the dual enrollment credit is treated as a honors course, so it will actually serve as a grade-point booster. Most schools will let you lighten your load or get out early if you are taking a dual enrollment course.
Also, if this won’t work, a lot of universities offer online high school courses that you can take for credit. You need to work this out with your high school in advance, but they generally will take the credit from them. It will take some work and discipline on your part, but you might be able to finish these in a relatively short time frame.
There is a difference between recommended and required. There are many schools that will accept a student without fl. I know of several kids who did not take fl due to learning issues and are now at or accepted to NE LACs