Foreign Language Requirements

[Wickedgood]

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The "Intensive Spanish" thread got me wondering...

My university (UCONN) requires that all Fine Arts and Sciences majors (I'm a Biology major) take TWO YEARS of foreign language. Unless they completed 3 years of a foreign language in high school. I dropped out of Spanish in the middle of my 3rd year in high school (I kept making Cs, and I hated the class), so I have 4 semesters of Spanish to look forward to. I spent 3 years in Spain (my ex was stationed there in the Navy) and unfortunately I picked up nothing useful language-wise.

My concern is:
I was talking to my advisor, and she recommended that I take the 4 semesters of Spanish at a community college. That way, if I don't do stellar, then the grades don't count against my GPA when I transfer the credits. However, I'm wondering if this will count against me when applying to med school. The whole purpose for taking it at a community college is because it is supposedly easier there - I'm sure any admissions committe would know this. Then again, I don't want to ruin my GPA. And how does that work anyway... would the CC work apply to my reportable GPA even though it isn't counted in my official university GPA?

Opinions? Advice?

 

[relentless11]

The "Intensive Spanish" thread got me wondering...

My university (UCONN) requires that all Fine Arts and Sciences majors (I'm a Biology major) take TWO YEARS of foreign language. Unless they completed 3 years of a foreign language in high school. I dropped out of Spanish in the middle of my 3rd year in high school (I kept making Cs, and I hated the class), so I have 4 semesters of Spanish to look forward to. I spent 3 years in Spain (my ex was stationed there in the Navy) and unfortunately I picked up nothing useful language-wise.

My concern is:
I was talking to my advisor, and she recommended that I take the 4 semesters of Spanish at a community college. That way, if I don't do stellar, then the grades don't count against my GPA when I transfer the credits. However, I'm wondering if this will count against me when applying to med school. The whole purpose for taking it at a community college is because it is supposedly easier there - I'm sure any admissions committe would know this. Then again, I don't want to ruin my GPA. And how does that work anyway... would the CC work apply to my reportable GPA even though it isn't counted in my official university GPA?

Opinions? Advice?

First off, community college (CC) classes are not easier. There might be less competition, but the subject material is still the same. Ultimately an A at a CC, is better than a B or C in the same course at a 4-year. Really, lower division courses aren't a big deal, especially if you do consistantly well when you transfer to a 4-year. Adcoms can't say much about going to a CC when you have performed just as well in your upper division courses, and on the MCAT.

Secondly, ALL courses are to be reported on your medical school application. That includes taking courses at the community college. Because as a transfer student, your university GPA will just be based on courses taken at that school. However on the AMCAS application your overall GPA will INCLUDE your community college, AND university grades. Doesn't matter where you took it, if it is at an accredited school, it must be on there. I must emphasize that you are obligated to report all grades when applying. If they find out, then you're in a whole lot of trouble, and at the very least, you are morally obligated. Why are you afraid of not doing well in classes and have to consider doing "stealthier" options.

It is more effective to figure out how to do well, than to hide potential blemishes on your transcript, especially considering hiding inadequacies will come back to bite you in the behind if you get into med school. If you don't perform well in say physiology, but were able to hide that grade, whats going to happen when you take it as a med student? Can't really repeat many classes in med school, and the competition is much higher (even some schools on pass/no pass basis). Most people go to a CC to take courses because they are trying to save money. Some attempted to take it because they thought it would be easier...which some have found out is not the case.

I for one did 2 years at a community college, and found coursework to be up to par with coursework at a 4-year university. None of the med school's in my school system (e.g.: University of California) care about the "deficiencies" of community college courses. If they did, then they will look at the 3 years I was at UC Davis, along with my MCAT scores. Take the course whereever you like. I think you should worry about doing well in school in general, than to nitpick about where it would be easier, and how the GPA would be presented to the admission committees. All coursework at every school after highschool is considered. Even if it was 100 years ago (in theory). 😉

 

[Gabby]

Is there a foreign language requirement for med school? I didn't take a foreign language in college (or high school) and now that I'm doing my post-bacc, no one has mentioned it. I also haven't seen it mentioned on the med school websites I've visited.

 

[relentless11]

Is there a foreign language requirement for med school? I didn't take a foreign language in college (or high school) and now that I'm doing my post-bacc, no one has mentioned it. I also haven't seen it mentioned on the med school websites I've visited.

No requirement, but it would be helpful to have a foreign language that you are comfortable with, and especially one that you will most likely encounter in the clinical setting.

 

[Gabby]

Well, I'm fluent in Persian, but I'm guessing I won't come into contact with all that many Persians. I also know ASL. You're right though, it would be extremely useful to know a language you'll need a lot. Maybe I'll pick up a Spanish class with the pre-reqs.

Thanks!

 

[SailCrazy]

One other thought: you don't have to earn an undergrad degree in order to attend many medical schools. Depending on how far along you are in the process, this (skipping the language entirely) might be an option to consider.

My first thought echoed relentless11: ALL grades are reported, no matter where you took (or-retook) them.

 

[Wickedgood]

Thanks for the pointers on how grades are reported. I dropped out of college 10 years ago after fall semester my freshman year (to get married - isn't it fabulous how one REALLY bad decision can effect the rest of your life). My grades weren't fab, but now I'm making all A's (so far) so hopefully the past won't have that much of a dent in my reported GPA. Unfortunately, because I am still technically a freshman, I cannot apply to med school until I actually have the coursework under my belt.

As for the Spanish courses, I suppose I should just see which would fit into my schedule better - during regular classes at the university, or summer school at a local community college. Other than that, it doesn't look like there's an advantage or disadvantage on either.

Thanks for the helpful replies 🙂