<p>I realize that at each of the Ivy League universities, 3 years of language is "recommended" (at Harvard and Penn : 4 languages)...</p>
<p>But what exactly does "recommended" mean to them?</p>
<p>And would one be penalized (if applying to Penn or Harvard, where 4 languages are required) if they took 3 years of one language, and one year of another? Do the 4 years have to be in the same language?</p>
<p>Would someone who has applied themselves/heard about the Ivy League language requirements please answer?</p>
<p>Harvard requires that you take one year of a foreign language if you have not placed out of the requirement by either receiving: 1) 600+ on an SAT II (that includes listening and reading), 2) 5 on an AP, or 3) sufficiently passing a language placement exam offered during freshman orientation.</p>
<p>Take 4 years of one language unless there's a compelling reason not to (as in, you started French freshman year, but sophomore year the school introduced Chinese and you really want to take that). If you want to take a year or two of a second language, do that on top of the first language.</p>
<p>I am currently a junior in high school, have already taken 2 years of French, and was planning on taking my 3rd year of French next year (in Gr. 12). </p>
<p>However, I recently realized that Harvard and Penn like applicants to have 4 years of a language...and I don't have much room in my Gr. 12 timetable to take a fourth year of French....and I am unable to take the fourth year of French this year (in Gr. 11).</p>
<p>My PLAN B was to take an introductory Japanese course this year, because a) I am interested in Japanese and b) hoped that it would fulfill the 4-year language requirement...</p>
<p>Do you think, in this particular situation, taking 3 years of French and 1 year of Japanese would hinder my application?</p>
<p>I would listen to the experts (XJZ, Phoenixy, Hanna) on this one. But for what it's worth, I got admitted with 2 years of Latin and 2 years of Spanish. I was very interested in Latin, but my school only offered two years. I am sure that the language requirement by itself would not be a great hindrance to your application.</p>
<p>its not a hindrance at all. Try and take four years of one, but if you can't (school doesn't offer it, want to take another that realy interests you) that's cool too. </p>
<p>What's bad is something like taking a different language every year. Depth is more important.</p>
<p>Depth is definitely more important. Harvard is a place where you pursue your interests in depth. If you say you love Japanese, but you only took one year of it in high school, it would not reflect greatly on your comment that you love Japanese.</p>
<p>I'm a sophmore and this year I am taking French III. I took French I in 8th grade. So, if I take French IV next year, can I call it quits or must I take another year? French V? I was hoping that after French IV I would be finished and could focus my efforts elsewhere.</p>