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I thought I'd comment that it doesn't take more than 1 or 2 drinks (where drink = actual serving size) to give me a headache. It's not about getting drunk, it's just the way I react to alcohol. To the topic of the thread: I'm not a drinker. I don't like the taste of alcohol with the exception of some beers. I get my drinks virgin. They look like a "real" drink, so no one asks me questions. (And for what it's worth, I don't do it for the looks - I do it because it's a legitimate excuse to get a pretty soda!)

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Thanks for the replies! Languages are a very tricky and ESID matter, I've found, and I appreciate hearing from everyone. My personal language experience is uneven, to say the least. I've taken 2 semesters of Italian, 1 semester of French, 2 semesters of basic Latin, 1 semester of Medieval Latin, and 2 semesters of graduate-level Old English, as well as several courses with Middle English literature. The lack of modern research languages is what really motivated me to ask after others' experiences. Oh: and that I took Italian and Latin P/NP. I have a personal philosophy that the grade is irrelevant, and it's the command of the language that ultimately matters, but it does leave me in the lurch for "proving" anything at application time. I've heard that trick of using untranslated sources in the writing sample, and it sounds solid to me (especially given the lack of grades I have for the language courses). I've also heard about taking the SAT II in Latin. How do schools typically feel about independent scholars seeking to take their department's proficiency exams? I mean, I'd be happy to make an appointment with a language department chair to take a graduate-level translation exam, but would it even help? Are they likely to even talk to me about it?

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I graduated in '09, but I work full-time at a 9-to-5. Most of the summer courses I've seen are residential and/or intensive, and since I do work full-time they don't fit into my schedule at all. I do have the time to take some languages from a local CC during the regular term, but since I'm attempting to apply for Fall 2012, they won't really appear on my application. A major plus seems to be having one or two of your languages in advance of admission rather than waiting for time to take it on during graduate studies. For a different question, then: how necessary is it, really, to have a good command of the languages you need prior to admission? (As an aside, I am a medievalist, and I know the rules are a little different for medievalists. I'm happy to hear personal experience from everyone in an English program!)

So I have a smattering of languages, but not any sustained study. In researching programs, I've come across at least one or two departments which seem to imply that serious language study should be complete prior to admission. I'm thinking particularly of UT-Austin, which says "Two years' college credit in a foreign language" is required. That's a bit above and beyond the general wisdom of needing only a "Reading French for Graduate Students" summer course. Where does one go to get creditable foreign language instruction post-graduation?

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