I apologize for some of the spacing. These quotes were taken from the National Committee for Latin and Greek.
Why Take Latin?
The reasons are limitless and each person’s experience is unique, but
here is what college and university admissions personnel say when
asked about Latin as an academic pursuit:
“The study of Latin is also the study of history, art, music,
theatre, philosophy, law, literature, laboratory science, ‘and
more!’”
Teresa Hudkins,
Willamette University
“The study of Roman culture which typically accompanies
Latin study informs the study of any Western literature, art,
or culture as well. [. . .] If Latin were dead, every Western
culture and language would be also bereft of life.”
Matthew Potts, Admissions Counselor,
University of Notre Dame
“Latin trains abstract thinking, provides a key to all modern
Romance languages, is a model for interdisciplinary study
(language, history, culture) and can be a lot of fun.”
Michael C. Behnke, Vice President for Enrollment,
University of Chicago
“Vocabulary and grammar of the English language can be
mightily improved through the study of Latin.”
Kathy Lindsey, Associate Director of Admissions,
Middlebury College
“A background in Latin provides students with a stronger
English vocabulary. Open any SAT prep book and you will
see a crash course in Latin in the vocab section.”
Andrea Thomas, Assistant Dean of Admission,
Hamilton College
When you see Latin on a transcript, what impression
of the student does that give you?
“This year, I was particularly impressed by a student with average test scores and grades who had taken Latin throughout middle and high school. We ended up offering the student admission, and I think it is fair to say that it was his commitment to Latin that tipped the scales.
Andrea Thomas, Assistant Dean of Admission, Hamilton College
“We add on extra ‘weight’ when we see Latin on a transcript.”
Philip Ballinger, Dean of Admissions Gonzaga University
“Classical languages on a transcript indicate seriousness of purpose and true devotion to a rigorous
program of study.”
Fred Zuker, Vice President and Dean of Student Services, University of Dallas
“Students taking Latin are typically scholarly. They pursue academic study in the purest sense, they are
not simply fulfilling a requirement.”
Matthew Potts, Admissions Counselor, University of Notre Dame
