Fourth language

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shineornot

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Hello!

So I just wanted to ask which language would be most useful, Chinese or Japanese, when it comes to medical school acceptances and actual practice?

I am fluent in Spanish and Hindi (and English), but I also want to learn a 4th language because learning new languages is something I enjoy immensely! My parents want me to invest in the language that can actually be used.

I do not know if this will make a difference but I intend to apply to all TX and CA schools (TX resident). And others scattered throughout the country.

Thank you!!!
 
Medical schools won't care about an additional language, but Chinese will be more useful.
 
Medical schools won't care about an additional language, but Chinese will be more useful.
Disagree on the "won't care" part...are you kidding? Being able to speak 4 different languages is incredible and only a small amount of people can do it. I personally don't know anyone that can speak more than 3 languages in my life. Don't try to downplay OP achievement. Anyway, Chinese for sure due to their bigger population in the U.S and if you can also be fluent in Chinese before the application process...you will be a very interesting applicant to many schools.
 
Disagree on the "won't care" part...are you kidding? Being able to speak 4 different languages is incredible and only a small amount of people can do it. I personally don't know anyone that can speak more than 3 languages in my life. Don't try to downplay OP achievement. Anyway, Chinese for sure due to their bigger population in the U.S and if you can also be fluent in Chinese before the application process...you will be a very interesting applicant to many schools.
There was literally a thread on this a while ago and all the adcoms agreed that multiple language ability is far to common in the applicant pool to matter. The knowledge is commendable, but realistically it won't help med school chances enough to matter.

I, for instance, am an ORM that can fluently speak 3 languages (2 with native comprehension) and converse but not write a 4th.
 
There was literally a thread on this a while ago and all the adcoms agreed that multiple language ability is far to common in the applicant pool to matter. The knowledge is commendable, but realistically it won't help med school chances enough to matter.

I, for instance, am an ORM that can fluently speak 3 languages (2 with native comprehension) and converse but not write a 4th.
Great job on your language ability. I still am absolutely not buying that it won't help even if some Adcoms on this board claim so does not mean schools with dominant Hispanic, Chinese or just diverse population in general won't pay close attention at the OP app.
 
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Great job on your language ability. I still am absolutely not buying that it won't help even if some Adcoms on this board claim so does not mean schools with dominant Hispanic, Chinese or just diverse population in general won't pay close attention at the OP app.

I also can speak 4 languages - it didn't really come up during my interviews because they are not that "useful" in medicine or in this country. It is a cool little accomplishment though. Spanish is probably the most useful for medicine and the UCs do like to see it (so that's good for you OP!).

For OP I recommend Chinese because I see the most use out of it, especially in cali.
 
I think it will add to your app, but, won't add to stats, but I'm sure you know that. It's a over the top plus, pus not admissions worthy criteria
 
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