Language proficiency on the Common App?

Pancaked
Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:47:22 +0000

Proficiently means you speak it fluently. Not “understand it mostly,” but are fluent.

If you mark “proficient” in a particular language, you should be able to complete your entire application in that language. Write essays, get interviewed, etc. If your interviewer decides to speak in the language you listed, and you get flustered/confused, then you have made a serious mistake.

Most high school students are not fluent/proficient in the language they have taken in HS; The term more often applies to students who have spoken a second language for most of their life, or have lived in another country, or maybe have just become extremely talented in a second language through courses.

When it comes down to it, if you have to ask the question you just asked, then no, you are probably not proficient.

There really is no exact definition but this is my view/understanding of it. You’d be in a really bad spot if you misrepresented yourself and exaggerated your ability.