<p>My question is about U of Calif admissions requirements (on behalf of two Chinese high school seniors), where two years of foreign language are required. </p>
<p>A student who takes one year of English in China in grade 9, and then transfers to a US school and takes three more years of English, does not have more than one foreign language credit according the UC. This is because the English in grades 10-12 was taken in an English-speaking country and does not count as a foreign language. The Chinese the students took in grade 9 does not count either, because it was taken in a Chinese-speaking country.</p>
<p>Because these students are thoroughly bi-lingual, it seems strange that they should be required to take another credit of foreign language to make the two year minimum credit. For those familiar with the UC system, I would like to clarify by asking: do they really need to take another foreign language credit to be a viable candidate at a UC school? They would quickly take a correspondence course, probably Chinese II, in order to make up the requirement. </p>
<p>I have heard they can opt to explain the lack of the full two years of credit in an "Additional Information" section on the application. But they would of course not want a significant weak spot on their application.</p>
<p>Any input/advice will be very much appreciated!</p>
<p>More options for the UC “e” (language other than English) requirement:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>520 in Chinese with listening SAT subject test or 3 on AP Chinese test. Similar for other languages.
[University</a> of California - Subject requirement](<a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors)</p></li>
<li><p>Transcript showing two years of schooling (6th grade or higher) at a school where a language other than English is the primary language of instruction.
[University</a> of California - Language other than English (“e”)](<a href=“http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/e-language/index.html]University”>http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/e-language/index.html)</p></li>
<li><p>Language proficiency or placement test at a college or university.
[University</a> of California - Language other than English (“e”)](<a href=“http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/e-language/index.html]University”>http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/e-language/index.html)</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Note also that the “two years” of high school language other than English refers to the level completed – i.e. level 2 or higher.</p>
<p>But if you are in Iowa, note that UC financial aid does not cover the $23,000 additional out-of-state tuition. International students should not expect any financial aid.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your reply, ucbalumnus.</p>
<p>So according to the UC Language Other Than English page, it seems these students will be fine with their LOTE requirement, as they will have completed the last three years at our school:</p>
<p>“Formal schooling in a language other than English – Students who have completed two years of formal schooling at the sixth-grade level or higher in a school where a language other than English was used as the medium of instruction have met the LOTE requirement. A school transcript or other official document is required.”</p>
<p>Again, thanks. For some reason, even after phone calls and emails to UC Admissions, this issue has been quite difficult to help these students sort out. Much obliged!</p>