<p>I have no foreign language experience at all. </p>
<p>The sites of most schools, even top ranked schools, say they recommend specific courses taken; they do not say they require them.</p>
<p>I'm interested in some information on just how much a senior who hasn't taken any foreign languages would be at a disadvantage. Perhaps there is no way to quantify just 'how much', since obviously other factors must be considered in this student's admission to the school, but perhaps musings and random comments on the matter would be of benefit to me? Let's say I have 2330 SAT scores and the rest of my transcript is very strong, and I do plan to study Sanskrit or Ancient Greek in college (perhaps I could mention this on the additional info section of the common app, and include a little information to account for and possibly amend verbally such deficiency).</p>
<p>They do not REQUIRE it because every once in a while a really great student that they want to admit comes along who didn’t take foreign language in HS. </p>
<p>If you want to study some obscure field (such as Sanskrit) that is offered at very few places, then you have to apply to those places whether you have the typical profile for them or not. And, since you apply because of that obscure field, then you need to state it specifically in the “Why UniversityX” essay, or in another part of your application.</p>
<p>It would depend on the reason and whether your schedule can still be considered ‘most rigorous’ at your high school. It’s pretty unusual to see a competitive student at a top college without 4 years of language, much less none at all.</p>
<p>If you were a math prodigy taking linear algebra and duel enrolled at a college taking advanced science freshmen year or were following another academic passion that somehow couldn’t accommodate a language in your schedule, I’d have your counselor explain that. Or if an outside activity you had to travel for was the reason…let’s just say you would need a really good reason.</p>
<p>If you just didn’t feel like taking a language, it will be tough to be competitive.</p>
<p>Mention it, but don’t expect much sympathy.</p>
<p>They’re pretty clear: they want you to take a foreign language in high school. The question is WHY you didn’t take any. Does your school not offer any? Does your schedule prevent it? Or were you simply lazy?</p>
<p>Unless you have a good reason, I don’t think you have much of a chance. Also, while expressing interest in another language might help, it’s not a good enough excuse. Even if you want to take a different language in college, they would expect you to have begun one language so you know the <em>process</em> of learning a language.</p>
<p>To mitigate any disadvantages to your transcript, why don’t you see if you can enroll in some community college lang class?</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters: the lack of Lang is a serious anomaly of a top academic student. This would be a big hindrance for selective college admissions.</p>
<p>I’m kinda worried about this aspect of applying since I only have 2 year of foreign language. I’m hoping 2 years of Japanese will be enough. During my freshmen and sophomore year it was impossible for me to take foreign language.</p>