Which language do colleges prefer?

[AudRose]

Hello,
So here's the deal. I'll be sending in my transfer application to several universities around this time next year. The university I have in mind has a requirement for foreign language.
I'm thinking German... but with so many students applying with the "standard" Spanish, French and German, I'm thinking that I will increase my chances of admission if I take a more "difficult" language, such as Japanese.

My question is this:
Do universities give higher consideration students who take a more "difficult" language? Surely there are thousands who pour in with German, French, Spanish.

[Elysha]

Hi!

Unfortunately I cannot tell you which languages universities prefer.
But I was wondering why so many people are learning German. I didnt know that. For which purpose? There are not many people who are native German speakers (I am German myself). It may be interesting for people who live near to Germany... but otherwise? Ok... maybe for business communication?
But maybe learning some Asian language will make even more sense then.

In my opinion it is never wrong if you have some ability that others havent... but on the other hand French and Spanish are important languages. And even if you wont need them for university you will be able to use them in your life.
I have learned Latin at school instead of French. Today I would learn French, because you can use it in holidays etc.
(Ok, I have to admit...you cannot compare Latin to Japanese etc. lol).

It depends on what you wanna study as well, I think.
Furthermore you should learn a language you like so that you will stay motivated, because you dont learn it for better chances at university only!

Good luck with your decision
Elysha

[ProjectX]

I would learn Mandarin.

[apteryx01]

I can't believe the language makes much difference for your chances of being admitted. You could call a bunch of admissions offices at colleges around the country and ask them, if you want to find out for sure.

[Love]

Colleges are going to consider a lot of factors.
I'm not an admissions officer, but I do conduct alum interviews. In my opinion, what language you put down is not particularly important. It's the same with majors; many people switch from what they originally put down.

Patterns, however, are important. I would put your language choice down if it connects already with something in your history. If, for example, you took an Asian history course, then putting down Japanese on your app will make you look like someone with a well-developed interest. That's the only way I could see it as having particular importance.

[AudRose]

Excellent feedback, thank you.
I think I'll be sticking with German then, since I will be able to use it when I study abroad in Berlin of spring '10

[Cran]

We could make a German Pavlina-forum-meeting then

[Bleicke]

Jawohl mein Führer :-)

Take the language you like the most.

[estudiant9]

I'm a current college junior. In retrospect, doing anything at all with the explicit purpose of looking good to admissions officers was the worst decision I made in high school. Ironically, ensuring a fulfilling, happy future often boils down to doing what's the best for you right now. Which language excites you the most? Which do you think you'll enjoy the most? Of course, I don't mean to say eat fried chicken all the time and do nothing but watch your favorite TV show when I say you should do what you like now, follow common sense.

Looking back, all the clubs I joined and stuff I did to impress colleges did barely anything to help me get in, and did even less to help me thrive and enjoy college right now. I could have been just as compelling a candidate for colleges by doing something that I enjoyed and putting my heart into it. I probably would have gotten better grades, made more genuine friends, and not have so many regrets. The funny thing about life is that, when you try to fit yourself into some idealized mold, everything is forced and stressful, but when you let go and focus on enjoying the moment, you sometimes effortlessly slip into a unique kind of "idealized mold" which you are proud of and other people admire.

Trust me, about a week into college, you will realize that the only things that have carried over from high school are the values and skills you cultivated and meaningful moments when you challenged and enjoyed yourself.

Obviously this covers way more than your question about foreign language, but if something as minor as your choice of choosing one language over another is a source of grave concern for you, you might want to re-evaluate your entire outlook on adolescence.