Downplayed my accomplishments in my primary application...

[evenfeather]

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This may not be that big of a deal, as it's just a hobby. But I learn languages for fun and speak 4 languages to a decent level. But on the primary app, I marked them all as just "Fair" (speak and understand well enough to have extended conversations about family, personal life, work, etc.). In reality my skills are probably closer to Advanced or Good. I can talk about pretty much anything and consume books, media, etc. for native speakers just fine (non-English script) etc. I did this primarily because I was afraid they would like test me on it during interviews or something which is irrational, not only because that's unlikely, but also because even if they did I would have no problem lol. I even talked to my patients in my clinical experience in their languages many times if they could not speak any English. I think I was just too neurotic and scared at the time while also being pressed to submit asap.

Now I'm thinking they might just not take it very seriously since they might assume I put it down just to list a hobby I'm not that invested in, and that I don't have any significant skill in the languages... despite the fact I speak at quite a high level after thousands of hours of practice and learning.

I don't really know how big of a deal this is. It just kind of sucks to think about since I can't edit my application anymore.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I suppose it's better than exaggerating, but you sabotaged yourself to the people who might think it matters. Of course, I don't think that many people think it matters, especially if you say you are picking up languages as a hobby/"for fun." There are times when humility is appropriate, and some of us think it's the "normal" professional reaction. But it also prevents you from getting proper credit or consideration when you have earned it.

 

[evenfeather]

True. I guess it's a bit of a bad habit of mine, always defaulting to trying to seem humble, mostly because I'm afraid I will seem arrogant or something. I think I will try to talk about my use of the languages in more detail in my secondaries if the prompt allows.

 

[doctorendgame]

True. I guess it's a bit of a bad habit of mine, always defaulting to trying to seem humble, mostly because I'm afraid I will seem arrogant or something. I think I will try to talk about my use of the languages in more detail in my secondaries if the prompt allows.

Humble doesn't mean degrading yourself. You can boast about yourself and still be humble.

The only time I boast about my achievements is if someone tries to put me down and I talk about my accomplishments. Had a case of that recently. A guy called me an incel but I have a girlfriend. I just never post about her on social media because I'm pass the age of needing to show off on social media. But I will post about her if she wants me to. She hasn't brought it up yet so I'll assume it's not an issue unless otherwise stated. Now that I think about it, it's more so shutting up your ignorant critics once and for all for the sake of your mental health and seeing the look on their faces than boasting about yourself.

I highly recommend you look up Magnus Carlsen. He's the #1 chess player in the world and he has that confidence while humble thing down to a T. Check out the link below. Notice he doesn't come outright and say that he's the best. He tries to restrain it but he just had no other way of saying it. There's no way of getting around of stating you're the best but if you restrain it, it comes across as humble. If you're doing groundbreaking research that can refine medicine before getting into medical school, saying the research can be or is groundbreaking in this manner doesn't come off as arrogant, but it does if you say "I am better than 99% of applicants". Even if you are right, it gives off a bad vibe.

Practice talking to yourself and it becomes a lot easier.

 

[Pile O' Nephritis]

Yes, you can be specific about your language skills in your secondaries ("What is something else you haven't had the chance to talk about yet?" etc)

The person reading your secondary will care more about what you discuss there, than about the (now) clearly understated "Fair" rating you gave yourself.

 

[Pile O' Nephritis]

(Relying to @doctorendgame) In my opinion, making other people "shut up" shouldn't be the goal of self-promotion in a collaborative field like medicine. I brag about things when I'm proud of them, because I'm proud of my accomplishments! Or because other people can benefit from my skills. It's not a competition! (But when it is, I try to channel my inner Muhammad Ali, in the spirit of friendly competition.)

As a single guy, if someone called me an "incel" I would keep a straight face and move on from there, with the goal of connecting with the other person. Maybe something I did rubbed them the wrong way and they reacted to a gut emotion; who knows? No reason to escalate things.

 

[doctorendgame]

(Relying to @doctorendgame) In my opinion, making other people "shut up" shouldn't be the goal of self-promotion in a collaborative field like medicine. I brag about things when I'm proud of them, because I'm proud of my accomplishments! Or because other people can benefit from my skills. It's not a competition! (But when it is, I try to channel my inner Muhammad Ali, in the spirit of friendly competition.)

As a single guy, if someone called me an "incel" I would keep a straight face and move on from there, with the goal of connecting with the other person. Maybe something I did rubbed them the wrong way and they reacted to a gut emotion; who knows? No reason to escalate things.

You can be collaborative with your team and shut up your critics if they're wrong. Most of our traits only come out in certain situations. I believe the term is "compartmentalization". I'm very collaborative to the point people say my issue is overcommunication than under and making my teammates feel excluded. But I'm not the type to tolerate that kind of BS. If you are, kudos to you. But he wasn't a random internet stranger, he was someone I know quite well and I made a comment that was backed by facts but wasn't something he liked.

 

[Pile O' Nephritis]

I will admit, it does feel good to shut up your critics.

(Now what was this thread about anyways???)

 

[Dragonite7]

I don't think this will significantly impact your application if it makes you feel better.

 

[candbgirl]

Remember, your application is the only way readers and ADCOMS have of getting to know you. You really want to report everything that makes you unique, that makes you stand out from the thousands of other applicants. This is your chance to make them want to interview you, to make you an interesting addition to the new class, to be an asset to the school. Don’t undersell yourself.
Good luck.

 

[LizzyM]

But frankly, being able to hold a conversation in English and several other languages is not a highly valued skill. Spanish, almost certainly. The others, it depends on where you are and how many speakers of that language there are who do not speak English. In most cases, after pleasantries are out of the way, you are going to want to use an interpreter to describe the nitty-gritty of diagnosis, treatment, and pre-exam procedures. Being more fluent than you admitted is nice but isn't going to move the needle very much in terms of admissions.