Foreign Language Requirements for College Admissions

Polite inquiry here: Do all colleges require two years of foreign language in high school for admission? I've taken one year of Spanish but I'm not sure if I should continue or focus on other interests. Thoughts?

Hello there! It's great that you're planning ahead for your college applications. The foreign language requirements can vary quite a bit between colleges. Generally, many colleges recommend or require at least two years of foreign language study in high school, but some may require more, and others may not have a strict requirement at all. Dartmouth College, for example, states on their website that they look for applicants with 3 years of a foreign language, with 4 being preferred (https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/glossary-question/does-dartmouth-require-specific-high-school-courses).

More selective colleges might look for three or even four years of language study because it demonstrates more sustained interest and greater proficiency, meaning your experience with the language will have added more substantively to your academic "tool kit." However, if you have other interests that could develop into substantial extracurricular involvement or academic focus, it could be worthwhile to pursue those instead. Just make sure that whatever path you choose, you're engaging with it deeply.

Before making your decision, look into the specific colleges you have in mind to understand their requirements better and make sure your decision is a good one both personally and in terms of admissions. They often publish recommended high school coursework on their admissions pages. Good luck!