Second Language Requirement for Fletcher, Stanford IPS etc.

[wonkish]

How strict are schools (Fletcher, Stanford etc.) about their fluency in a second language requirement?

Their websites state that students must prove fluency by graduation (although I believe Fletcher states that you must take a proficiency test prior to admission). Will these schools accept applicants who are not currently proficient in a language?

I planned to apply to these schools but doubt I have a level of proficiency they are looking for. Should I still apply?

Also would these schools allow students to do a one year language program abroad in between years 1 and 2 to meet the language requirement prior to graduation?

Thanks in advance!

[LCAlum]

I can't personally speak for Stanford, as I didn't apply there and didn't really research their program, but I do know that to get into Fletcher, you generally have to have at least very good conversational skills in a foreign language (upon applying, I didn't for the record). According to their admissions blog almost everyone they accept can speak at least two languages. If you think you're lacking in this department, I would suggest putting off applying for a year and taking some classes. The foreign language you come in with doesn't necessarily have to be the foreign language you study when you're there. I'm currently at SAIS (which has similar, although in my opinion less strict foreign language requirements for applicants) and I know a number of people who are going to take their language proficiency test after a semester or two in a language they've previously studied and then work on an entirely unrelated language.

[Clay Made]

According to their website, you need to be proficient in a second language by the time you graduate. So I assume they want some knowledge rather then fluency.

[wonkish]

Thank you for the info! SAIS is also one of my top choices. I wasn't aware that SAIS had any foreign language requirement. On their prerequisites, it only states that proficiency in English is required. Am I misinformed?

Thanks again.

[cckrspnl56]

Hi Wonkish, I'm also a SAISer and I can confirm that you don't need proficiency in a second language to be admitted. I was admitted as a native English speaker with only 3 semesters of Spanish.

You are required, however, to demonstrate proficiency before you receive your degree. This is generally 4 semesters worth of a foreign language, with specific requirements varying by language.

[wonkish]

Hi cckrspnl56 - thanks for the SAIS info. Is there a sufficient amount of time to complete those 4 semesters of foreign language classes within the 2-year degree program?

Otherwise I was considering gaining acceptance into a foreign language program abroad and submitting the acceptance letter along with my application. I could request a one year deferral and would be able to demonstrate that I'm serious about the proficiency requirement and start learning a language I've always wanted to study. Or is this entirely unnecessary and should simply complete my 4 semesters in the foreign language while at SAIS? Thanks again for your insight.

[cckrspnl56]

Generally, most students take 4 classes + one language course a semester. There are few students who have *zero* experience in a foreign language, and for those who do have experience they take a placement test to determine which level class to join.

Additionally, students accepted to the Bologna program have the option to take an "Intensive Italian" course a month before classes begin. Its goal is to bring students to an Intermediate Low proficiency. I'm taking that and hoping to test out of Italian by the end of the year.

[globalsun]

I can say that IPS does not heavily enforce a language proficiency requirement. I was able to get by with credit from a few undergraduate foreign language courses. Also note that language courses taken at Stanford do not count as a part of the IPS degree. So I wouldn't worry too much about the language requirements. The quant requirements probably need to be taken a lot more seriously though...

How strict are schools (Fletcher, Stanford etc.) about their fluency in a second language requirement?

Their websites state that students must prove fluency by graduation (although I believe Fletcher states that you must take a proficiency test prior to admission). Will these schools accept applicants who are not currently proficient in a language?

I planned to apply to these schools but doubt I have a level of proficiency they are looking for. Should I still apply?

Also would these schools allow students to do a one year language program abroad in between years 1 and 2 to meet the language requirement prior to graduation?

Thanks in advance!