World language requirements for college

I'm trying to figure out my high school course schedule and I've heard a lot about colleges wanting students to take a world language. How many years of world language do colleges typically expect, and is it a requirement for most schools?

The number of years of world language study that colleges expect varies depending on the type of school and its selectivity. In general, more selective colleges have higher expectations for world language study in high school. Here's a rough outline of the typical expectations:

- Highly selective colleges (e.g., Ivy League schools, top-tier liberal arts colleges): 3-4 years of a world language

- Moderately selective colleges (e.g., well-regarded state schools, smaller private colleges): 2-3 years of a world language

- Less selective colleges (e.g., community colleges, open-enrollment institutions): 1-2 years of a world language

It's important to note that while many colleges recommend or expect a certain number of years of world language study, it's not always explicitly stated as a requirement. That said, the more years of a world language you take in high school, the more competitive your application will be.

Additionally, some colleges may have a foreign language requirement for graduation, meaning that even if you take a world language in high school, you may need to complete additional language coursework in college to fulfill that requirement. This can vary from school to school and may depend on your major or degree program. You can typically find this information on a college's website.

As you plan your high school course schedule, try to balance world language coursework with other academic interests, rigor, and extracurricular commitments. Remember that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to college applications. Taking 3-4 years of a world language is beneficial, but not at the expense of neglecting other important academic subjects or extracurricular involvement.