Can I get into a school without taking foreign languages? [immigrant, native speaker of Portuguese]

Applying to College
21

Look into the 2 tests and see whether either is appropriate. You can list the test and the future date you’ll be taking it on common app.

List the test for multilingual students also.

Have you run the NPC for all these public universities? OOS universities do not “meet need” and some may expect you to be full pay.

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22

Arizona State University does have a way to fulfill the second language requirement through testing:

University of Washington considers the world language requirement satisfied if you attended a school in 7th grade or higher that primarily used a non-English language and is not in a small list of predominantly English speaking countries.

23

University of Wisconsin recommends but does not require two years of high school foreign language. However, it counts 7th grade in a non-English school as equivalent, and 8th grade in a non-English school as equivalent to fourth year.

24

University of Chicago lists various high school courses as recommended, not required. Presumably, this allows them discretion in cases like yours without having to spell out every situation.

25

I found some colleges that did require 2 years of foreign language, but if you didn’t have it, they stayed the requirement (and admitted students) and required proficiency at a second year level to get OUT of college. Take the classes, take the test, whatever.

I think you just have to do a little research and don’t take ‘no, you have to have it’ as a final answer because you may be talking to an office worker who doesn’t know. talk to an admissions officer.

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26

Thank you so much! I’m completely fine with taking classes in college, so this is very good news.

27

Yes I have! Most of these are colleges I have family or friends nearby and I would be able to dorm off-campus and save money that way, even if it’s OOS. I’ll be sure to list the multilingual test. Thank you!

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Thank you so much!!!

29

Seems like you want to pursue at least two directions to cover the largest number of possible colleges:

  1. Take Portuguese language tests as mentioned by other posters above.
  2. Have your school records from a Portuguese-speaking school in Brazil ready (presuming you attended such a school through 7th, 8th, or 9th grade).
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30

Most of these colleges require freshmen to dorm though.
Just be careful and stay within budget for the net price (you will be allowed 5.5k in loans for your first year but nothing more).
Good luck :crossed_fingers: on your applications and decisions.

If you hear back from more colleges and see what they request (NEWL/Camoes test, Brazilian school certificate or record, exemption…) would youmind posting the information here for anyone else who might need to know?

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