<p>Since the course registrations for next (senior) year started today, I am inquiring about the importance of a third year language course. </p>
<p>I've taken Spanish for 2 years, and now scheduling conflict will probably make me unable to take Spanish for another year next year. Are there colleges that require 3 years of language? Will not taking a language next year significantly impact my college application? If so, I'm ready to commit to a correspondance course in Spanish next year -- but I don't want to do so, if possible.</p>
<p>Just for the record, I have been learning Japanese for 4 years and I had already acquired Certificates of Proficiency and Fluency through the Japanese Cultural Association here in Taiwan. One can take an examination offered in December (kind of like AP language exams), which is shipped back to Japan for grading. If the candidate passes, he is awarded a certificate of mastery in the Japanese language (there are four levels, I passed the lower two). Will colleges take this into account?</p>
<p>Taking a language for four years can only add to your transcript. It shows consistency and following through with plans. Otherwise, those two years may have just been a waste. Also, being multi-lingual does not hurt. ;-)
I am currently taking fifth-year French, fifth-year Spanish, and second-year Italian besides the two other languages I know: English and Khmer (basic spoken).</p>
<p>Some colleges say they want to see a third year of language. But it looks like you already have that with the Japanese. As long as your Japanese credentials are clear on your application, I don't see a problem.</p>
<p>A lot just depends on where you intend to apply. Highly selective schools often expect to see at least three and even four years. Many state colleges require 2 or 1 year. A consideration other than admission is what the college requires once you are there. For example, there are colleges that require you to have 3 (or 4) semesters of college language but then waive that if you took 3 (or 4) years of the same langiuage in high school, although you may also be able to get a waiver by taking a proficiency test in Japanese. Bottom line is the more years the better particularly if you do not know yet to which colleges you will apply.</p>