Will taking only 2 years of a foreign language hurt my college admissions?

<p>Hi, I'm an incoming senior next year and my schedule is pretty full. So far, I've taken 2 years of Japanese and debating if I should continue for 3 years. I really want to to take AP Statistics, but my Japanese class is in the way. I don't even like learning Japanese in the first place. My school requires 2 years, but the CSUs/UCs recommend 3+. Just wondering if it would raise some flags or anything in the admissions process. I have other extracurriculars and leadership that I do as well. </p>

<p>I would take a third year of Japanese if I were you. </p>

<p>For a highly competitive school, every time you see the word “recommended,” replace with “required.” I second the above, and continue with Japanese.</p>

<p>AP stats vs Japanese 3rd year? Not even close – if you have any intentions whatsoever about a selective college. Language: definitely</p>

<p>You will be able to take a stats class in college. Take the third year of language now to keep your college options open. </p>

<p>if it says 4 years recommended, better take 4 years</p>

<p>What’s your intended major??</p>

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<p>The use of “recommended” instead of “required” is mainly to give slack to students in situations where academic opportunities are limited (e.g. after completing the level 2 of some foreign language in 10th grade, the teacher of that language retired or otherwise left, so the school dropped the foreign language completely).</p>

<p>Level 3 of a foreign language in high school may be more helpful in college, so that you may have to take fewer college foreign language courses to complete the foreign language graduation requirement if the college has one.</p>