GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: ski_racer, a high-achiever in high school, was rejected by some of the elite schools she applied to. This rejection was the best thing that happened to her as she got to choose her own path. Learn how she fell in love with her safety school, ASK HER ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our August Checklist for HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.
Language Requirements
Sparkle8
58 replies13 threads Junior Member
Our rising senior recently toured a local university. It has the exact major she wants and since it's local, it's in our price range. Also, she has some learning disabilities and it is listed as being in the top 20 in the country for services. Admission into the fine art program is separate but the student must then be admitted into the University and must pass the academic requirements which include 2 years of language. When we originally signed off on bypassing languages in HS, the team assured us it probably would not interfere with her college admission. Our question is, should she say something on her application or will the transcript speak for itself? Thanks in advance.
9 replies This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: Language Requirements
My concern for your child would be the university's graduation requirement of two years of foreign language. What options are there? Can that requirement be waived? If it can't be waived, what options are available for fulfilling it? Presumably your child has learned English, so the language-learning apparatus of her brain is functional. The trick will be finding appropriate language instruction so that she can master another language to the level that the university requires. Different LDs require different work-arounds. But if she learned one language, yes she absolutely can learn a second one if she has access to the instruction that is appropriate for her specific situation.
I would have your D contact the Admissions office at the college to discuss (if there is a good guidance counselor she could work with him/her to do this in the fall). Find out exactly what has to be documented and how they want it to be done -- that way Admissions can understand why there is a need to waive the foreign language requirement for admissions.
I would also discuss with your guidance counselor if your child's disability and why it impacted his/her ability to take foreign language should be mentioned as part of his/her letter of recommendation to colleges. That is a personal choice.
Check with the college if completion of level 2 or higher counts as "2 years" for it's purposes. Of course, she needs to have retained enough of her French or Spanish skills to be able to take French or Spanish 2 or higher. She may want to ask the French and Spanish teachers about what level she should take.
Typically, when universities say "2 years", they mean "through level 2", so that if she reviewed her middle school French and perhaps some French grammar/vocabulary now, took French 2 senior year, and got a C in it, she'd meet the University admissions requirements. (And for admissions purpose all she'd need is "French 2" on her transcript and no F by graduation.)
She should speak directly with the people in the design program. She is not the first design applicant to need special assistance in navigating the admission process at that university.