Language Selection

Hi,
How likely is that I can minor in Russian at USAFA?

AVT said:

Hi,
How likely is that I can minor in Russian at USAFA?

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I'm not 100% sure, but I think you take the DLAB (Defense Language Aptitude Battery) (or similar) to get a judge on how well you can learn new languages and that decided whether you take a "strategic" language or a regular language. "Strategic" languages would be the ones with different alphabets, whereas your regular languages would be the standard alphabet. You also take a test on langues you already have experience in, and this factors in somewhere. Someone correct me if I'm wrong! =D

Considering that they still offer Russian as a language, and that you get to choose what you major and minor in, I think that you just need to orient your studies towards it. I am no expert on what you can major/minor in though. Check out the admissions site and look under life at the academy, it has a section on curriculum that might be helpful.

Is there any way to take the apptitude test (DLAB) if you aren't at USAFA? Just as someone who would love to know the result?

depending on what language you already have experience in, you will take a test either before you in-process or shortly after you arrive to test your proficiency in that language. Depending on how well you do, you might be placed in that language at a higher lever class.

I never took the DLAB during basic, I don't know why they didn't do it for 2014. they had us rate our choice of language from 1 to 3. Luck fully I got my first pick (arabic). however, I know a lot of people that got stuck in something they didn't want. So depending on if they do it the same for 2015, it really comes down to luck and if you have experience in a certain language.

However, if you do get assigned a language you don't want, its possible for you to switch. especially if you want to be place in a strategic language. that being said, it's sometimes really hard to convince the registrar to change your language.

chinese

How about chinese language ? do they have placement test as well ?

Language Options

My son is in the class of 2014. He was tested during basic, and placed in Russian based on test results. He really wanted Spanish, and requested a change. He was told that Spanish is not a strategic language, but he did have the option to take Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese. Given those options, he stayed in Russian. He really did not have any control over being able to minor in a language of his choice, unlesss the language of his choice was a strategic language.

I took 3 years of French in High School because most colleges recommended at least 3 years of a language. Spanish and German were the other options.
I was born in Russia and have some experience, so I would love to master it at USAFA.

one thing I forget to mention. If you don't get the language you want freshmen, you can always take another language in you sophomore year. It all depends on what type of work load you want to have.