ASL as foreign language -admission

[Anonymous]

Lots of kids are taking ASL for their HS grad requirements. I think this is a good thing. Is there any way to determine, or where should I look, to see if ASL will impact admissions? Or satisfy a school's foreign language requirement??? We are just starting the college search so I don't really know what I'm doing . . .

And if anyone has any first-hand knowledge of the following, I'd love to know the answer:
-Lehigh
-Johns Hopkins
-Denison
-Swarthmore
-William and Mary
-Richmond

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Virginia schools accept ASL as a world language. I don’t know about the others on your list.

[Anonymous]

It varies by college. It's probably best to contact the particular college admissions offices and ask if ASL is considered a world language for admission purposes.

[Anonymous]

You are overthinking this.

An admissions decision will not be determined by anything so down in the weeds as this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are overthinking this.

An admissions decision will not be determined by anything so down in the weeds as this.

As a professor of languages (who does not teach it but very much supports the study of ASL), I disagree with this comment. The relationship between ASL and graduation continues to be discussed at my own institution, and I would caution that any college that does not consider ASL a world language might potentially pause over it on a high-school transcript if language qualifications play a documentable role in the admissions process. It does not take much time or effort to check, and you will probably be glad that you did regardless of what the answer is.

[Anonymous]

I heard a well known college counselor say there is still discrimination against students taking ASL. If the college doesn’t have ASL as a language meeting that college’s language graduation requirements, admissions wants to know the student will be able to meet that requirement in another language (like Spanish). If they think you’re taking ASL because you cannot learn languages easily, there could be concern. I’m told this is getting better but may still be tied into discrimination against those with learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

It's also important to see how much ASL is available at the HS level before committing to it. You might not be able to get a competitive number of years of study anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are overthinking this.

An admissions decision will not be determined by anything so down in the weeds as this.

As a professor of languages (who does not teach it but very much supports the study of ASL), I disagree with this comment. The relationship between ASL and graduation continues to be discussed at my own institution, and I would caution that any college that does not consider ASL a world language might potentially pause over it on a high-school transcript if language qualifications play a documentable role in the admissions process. It does not take much time or effort to check, and you will probably be glad that you did regardless of what the answer is.

I am the prior poster, and wanted to acknowledge that this responder seems more well qualified to comment on this topic than me.

It was my experience that lists of the coursework colleges wanted to see what somewhat more flexible than one might think. My own child, for example, did not take a 4th year of social studies (because she did not like that subject). I was worried because many schools had 4 years on their suggested curriculum list. My child took other, demanding courses that were very logical for her anticipated field of study. The social studies decision did not "seem" to hurt her, as she was accepted at 7/10 schools she applied to (not her reaches). So, that is where I was coming from.

[Anonymous]

Foreign language requirements affect college graduation so they (should) affect admission. It's not enough to get in, you have to be able to get out. Op, I would look at the Common Data Set and any Course Selection, Program of Studies materials online for any colleges you're curious about. And I think this is more than what most HS students can/are likely to do themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's also important to see how much ASL is available at the HS level before committing to it. You might not be able to get a competitive number of years of study anyway.

To answer this, our school has one of the FCPS Academies that offers ASL for all 4 years. So many kids are taking it now that they've added more teachers and classes.

[Anonymous]

This may help: https://www.nad.org/resources/directories/statewide-universities-that-accept-asl/

Not sure if it is up to date. There are several others online as well. I know for a fact, the military academies do not. My daughter was interested but had to cross them off her list.

I was looking at one school last night that accepts it for admission but requires a year of FL (not ASL). For my daughter (who will have 4 years of ASL) that might be fine. She has matured as a student since Freshman year of high school (and middle school, which was he last time she took a language). She has also done more remediation for her dyslexia. I think she could handle it now, whereas she couldn’t 3 years ago.

BTW, ASL is not easy!

[Anonymous]

My student will be taking it in high school next year. It is the best fit for you student, who is a little bit on the spectrum and as such is a highly visual learner. The kind of kid who has a 99% in honors science without ever studying (understands concepts the first time they are explained), is a very good musician and does CAD design/drawing as a hobby at home, but would be completely, utterly frustrated in a Spanish language class.

Every student has their skill set. I'm helping my student do what works best for them. Older sibling went the traditional Spanish route, because that worked for them. Not all kids are the same.

[Anonymous]

^ It is the best fit for *my* student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
BTW, ASL is not easy!

+1. All languages are complex forms of cultural expression and communication. There are many different reasons for choosing to study one over another, but relative "easiness" is not one of them. The only thing that can facilitate faster or more comfortable development in any language is good access to frequent practice, and so learning a language that is more common in one's immediate environment (e.g. Spanish in many parts of the US) can _feel_ easier. But becoming truly capable or even borderline fluent in any new-to-you language, including ASL, takes major commitment across the board, and I'm always impressed by it.

- Language prof

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
BTW, ASL is not easy!

+1. All languages are complex forms of cultural expression and communication. There are many different reasons for choosing to study one over another, but relative "easiness" is not one of them. The only thing that can facilitate faster or more comfortable development in any language is good access to frequent practice, and so learning a language that is more common in one's immediate environment (e.g. Spanish in many parts of the US) can _feel_ easier. But becoming truly capable or even borderline fluent in any new-to-you language, including ASL, takes major commitment across the board, and I'm always impressed by it.

- Language prof

Thank you!!! I’m the PP you quoted. My daughter gets so discouraged when people tell her ASL is easy and she has it easier than they do. Sure, everyone has learned to sign a song in summer camp. That’s nothing like having a conversation or translating a TV show.