I am graduating in the Spring and I haven’t been able to get a single credit in a foreign language. I go to a small school and they only had a spanish teacher for one of the years that I have been here, and I couldn’t take that class because it conflicted with a graduation requirement for me. I have a very high GPA (my school does a 4.3 scale where A+ is 4.3, A is 4.0, and so on, and I have a 4.19). I have taken up to Calculus 2 and will have finished Calculus 3 before I graduate. Is there any hope for being able to get into a good college?
Yes - especially because there are hundreds if not more ‘good’ colleges in the U.S.
I’m assuming you are a U.S. Citizen …
What state are you from? What is your budget ? What is your SAT/ACT.
What do you seek in a school ? Size, weather, urban or rural, etc.
What do you want to study, if you know.
What level of English, math, and social science have you had ?
Finally, I’m guessing kids from your hs have gone to college in the past - without Spanish. Where have they gone ?
Thx
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I’m from Oregon, not really sure about budget, 1440 on the SAT but going to retake it because I think I can get a better score, don’t really care about size weather or urbanosity (is that a word? it should be if it isn’t) looking to go into Nuclear Engineering, I’ve taken Writing 121z, Calculus 2 (soon to be 3), and HST 203 (college level US history). I think most kids go to community college, and we used to have a spanish teacher so most kids in the past would’ve had the language credits.
Since you are graduating this spring, have you already started applying to colleges?
I am actually going to do that later today
Oregon State has your major and will admit students without world language in HS by exception. You would then have to make this up in college by taking language. If the rest of your application is strong, I would definitely apply to the Oregon State honors program as well, which admits students holistically.
From Oregon State’s web site here
students without two years of a second language can be admitted by exception. However, students admitted by exception must make up the admission deficiency prior to degree completion. All exceptions to the second language requirement will be decided on a case-by-case basis as deemed appropriate by OSU Admissions.
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I will definitely see about getting into Oregon State
So first off - nuclear engineering - that puts a limit on possible schools. So let’s start there with who is ABET accredited. But the budget also matters because - some schools may be $90K a year. Can your family afford that?
So to go to college - no problem. To study nuclear engineering, might be a tad trickier. Let’s look.
Should you have taken language - yes? Should you have needed to at CC? No but make sure your guidance counselor notes that you didn’t have an opportunity. In theory, schools shouldn’t hold against you if it wasn’t offered (you said one year was so…).
Does ABET matter for nuclear? I don’t know - but in most cases it does for others such as MechE, etc. so starting here there is 26 and that means they meet certain standards so they are good- so if we start at the “easy” just to see (and I promise you, any kid who gets through engineering is a smart kid - because it’s hard)
- Idaho State
- UMASS Lowell (a branch)
- Missouri Science and Tech
- UNM
- Oregon State - gotta try for the home school
- SC State - an HBCU
- VCU
| University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley | California |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | Gainesville | Florida |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta | Georgia |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho |
| University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign | Champaign | Illinois |
| Purdue University at West Lafayette | West Lafayette | Indiana |
| United States Naval Academy | Annapolis | Maryland |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
| University of Massachusetts Lowell | Lowell | Massachusetts |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | Michigan |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla | Missouri |
| University of New Mexico | Albuquerque | New Mexico |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy | New York |
| United States Military Academy | West Point | New York |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh | North Carolina |
| Air Force Institute of Technology | WPAFB | Ohio |
| Oregon State University | Corvallis | Oregon |
| The Pennsylvania State University | University Park | Pennsylvania |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | South Carolina |
| University of Tennessee Knoxville | Knoxville | Tennessee |
| Texas A&M University | College Station | Texas |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Virginia |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison | Wisconsin |
So let’s look at the standards for these:
Idaho State - they require this - do you have fine arts? Even if not, they will consider admitting you conditionally - so that’s a good one to apply to, it’s likely a short app, and your SAT is great. * Take two (2) credits of Fine Arts and World Languages
So let’s presume you are in there. With WUE, it’s $9156 tuition + $8914 fees + $12500 living - this year - so a bit under $31K for tuition, room and board. I’m guessing merit aid would be awarded too.
UNM prefers language - doesn’t require. Can’t imagine it will keep you out there - it’s also a WUE school, etc.
These are easy apps to get in quickly and then you’ll have an answer.
So I highly predict you’ll be going to college in the fall (assuming affordability) but don’t wait for a higher SAT - get the apps in now - at least if any of the 7 I mention above work.
Assuming you get a scholarship and you will, UNM will be in the low/mid 20s for tuition, room and board.
That’s just some examples.
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University of New Mexico has your major. They are a WUE school and with their merit scholarships, costs would be low for you. They have a two year language requirement, but state that they will review students on an individual basis if they don’t meet requirements. I think it is definitely worth applying! The application is also very straightforward.
Edited to add, I see UNM mentioned in the post above, too. 
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Yah - i was typing as you mentioned OSU - so so that after.
I think in theory, getting - just to put three out there, OSU, UNM, and Idaho State - to get something on the books and then can investigate further schools - those with the more stringent requirements after.
Of course, OP needs to have a budget discussion with the folks.
But obviously this is a talented student academically!!! So budget allowing, they will be at a “good” college…and they can take further shots but good to get the highly likelies to overlook language on the board!!
OP - talk to your parents about what they are able and more importantly willing to spend each year. The figures I noted above don’t include books, travel, pizza at night, etc.
I think schools, like Missouri Science & Tech, that require two years of language - after I apply to the three above (if satisfactory to you) - I’d email them to ask - would you consider without language…or perhaps you can offer a summer school make up, etc? Or taking in Spring at college (one semester might = 2 hs units which is what they require).
Georgia Tech allows you to substitute computer science for world language: Academic Preparation | Undergraduate Admission
If you have computer science courses, have a very strong application in other respects, and can afford the OOS cost of GA Tech, this could be a possible reach school for you to apply to.
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If you were unable, due to circumstances beyond your control, to take courses required for admission to colleges, this should be stated clearly by your guidance counselor in their rec letter. Colleges offer language classes, and if they require it from their entering freshmen, you should be able to take it there. It shouldn’t be held against you in reviewing your application.
So there was only a Spanish teacher for one of your high school years, and your required course conflicted with that? That should definitely be noted in the GC rec letter. The only sticking point might be if you could have taken that required course at another time in your high school years but you chose to do it then, maybe along with some elective. Again, you need to ask the GC about this.
Also, find out if maybe this summer you can take a first year spanish course that might perhaps satisfy at least some of the language requirements from some colleges. Again, this is something you can discuss with your GC at school.
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Ok, I’ll make sure to apply for a few schools. But yeah, my parents aren’t going to be covering any of my expenses. I am probably going to end up with pretty major student loans. I’ll make sure to ask schools directly about the language requirement.
My school actually does require Fine Arts credits to graduate, so I have a bunch of drama credits. Also, thanks for helping me look at some of these colleges.
Yeah, sadly I don’t have any computer science credits, as my school is very rural and most of the electives are like farming stuff or construction or shop.
Very helpful to know, thank you. I will make sure to get my GC to put that on the rec letter.
Agree with @Lindagaf that your guidance counselor should note the situation in your LOR.
You also need to pay attention to finances in creating your application list. Run Net Price Calculators. Your ability to get loans as a student will be very limited.
Ok, I will make sure to pay closer attention to costs.
OK - this is why I asked about budget. This is a HUGE issue - and yes, you might end up at community college. You won’t be able to borrow enough to fund college - certainly not at a school with nuclear engineering.
Is the non-contribution by choice or are they unable to afford anything?
Oregon has a promise grant for low income families - but I don’t know if it covers housing, etc.
If your budget issue is due to low income, your school counselor should be able to help you.
If it’s by choice - i.e. they can afford but don’t want to, that’s a bigger issue - as you’d have to apply and hope for full rides - and those are unlikely and certainly at schools with your intended major.
I don’t know where you are getting $8912 in fees for Idaho State. This is the chart for 24-25 school year:
| Expense | Idaho Residents | Non-Residents | WUE* | NRTW+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $8,914 | $28,240 | $12,037 | $8,914 |
| Room1 | $3,300 | $3,300 | $3,300 | $3,300 |
| Meal Plan2 | $4,036 | $4,036 | $4,036 | $4,036 |
| Books & supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Total Estimated Costs | $17,250 | $36,576 | $20,373 | $17,250 |
The WUE tuition would be $12,037 (a little more now) and total COA of $20, 373. They also have something called "non-resident tuition waiver’ but not sure how one qualifies for that (sometimes it’s military service of a parent)
Wyoming would also be a good value for you. Its WUE scholarship (available to all, not just WUE state residents) is called the Brown and Gold scholarship, and engineers get additional scholarships too. Foreign language is NOT required to get accepted, but college of Engineering may require it to graduate.