Is taking Latin a bad thing?

wmmk · 06-09-2008, 12:02 AM

Hi everyone,
I was just on the Georgetwon admissions website and I saw that they recommend taking a modern language in high school. I take Latin, which I actually though would be a benefit in admissions for most schools.

Would the fact that I take a classical as opposed to modern language hurt me in Georgetown admissions significantly?

Thanks,
wmmk

interelations09 · 06-09-2008, 03:23 PM

Here is my completely unprofessional take on it. If you are applying to Georgetown college (or the other schools for that matter) it won't hurt really. If you are applying to SFS it might hurt, only because in foreign affairs, no one speaks latin. If you are pre-med it might actually help.

Thats my take on it though.

Sungchul · 06-10-2008, 06:58 AM

SFS is actually linked to international politics and relations. Aren't there a lot of Latin terms tied into that major?

But I don't think it matters in the greater scheme of thing. A high school language is a language is a language. There are tons of people who pick up a new language upon matriculating, so I'm sure adcoms won't see any problems in taking Latin.

interelations09 · 06-10-2008, 06:52 PM

Right, but the reason I said it would hurt is because I was taking the line of thought that in diplomacy, one should know a language that a nation speaks or writes, not one that will help with terms.

But your point is also valid.

greentea12 · 06-11-2008, 10:05 PM

I took Latin all my four years of high school, including AP Latin Vergil senior year.

I am going to Georgetown this fall!

So... I don't think that taking Latin necessarily hurts. Latin is a comprehensive and difficult language to learn, and I do believe that Georgetown adcoms and any other adcoms of other universities do recognize this.

Hope this helps! Best of luck =)

wmmk · 06-11-2008, 11:46 PM

Thanks to all! That helps a lot!

hec2008 · 06-12-2008, 02:48 AM

I*agree with greentea. I probably won't hurt you in admissions. However, it might be a problem once you are there. One of SFS's grad requirement is proficiency in a modern spoken language which you would have to start from scratch. It's completely possible especially if you take a latin based language, jut not as easy as it would be for some.

dzleprechaun · 06-12-2008, 11:52 AM

It is possible to fulfill a non-SFS language requirement with Latin, though. From the College's section of the Undergraduate Bulletin: "All students in the College must achieve proficiency in a language (ancient or modern) through the intermediate level. "