<p>My last name is "Ho" and it's Chinese, however I'm NOT a native speaker for Chinese at all. Will colleges understand this? I forced myself to go to Chinese school for a couple of years so I was able enough to skip intro mandarin and go in to the second year, but I'm worried that admissions will think I'm just a native speaker who took an easy class for the gpa. How do I get colleges to know the real story?</p>
<p>My daughter has a Chinese surname but no real knowledge of the language, she is in first year Chinese. The instructor asked about experience with the language on the first day of class - nothing was taken for granted. You’re not the only kid who skipped Chinese school.</p>
<p>Yes, they will, especially if you are American-born and/or have had most of your education in the U.S. Your situation is hardly uncommon. This isn’t something I would worry too much about. If you want, you could get your Chinese teacher to write you a supplemental rec, making sure to explain that you are a non-Native speaker.</p>