Including "basic" level languages on AMCAS

[timephone]

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So I've had some experiences with a number of different languages, but I have very little current proficiency in any of them. For example, in my first undergrad I took Arabic for four semesters. I can still read and write it a little bit, but I don't remember much at all of how to speak or understand it. Should I list my skill as "basic" or just leave it off entirely? I'm just nervous about an interviewer deciding it's time to test my abilities during an interview!

 

[Catalystik]

If these courses appear in your transcripts, that would be enough to say you know something. I would leave it off

I agree.

 

[Gilakend]

Language skills have little impact on admissions according to surveys of medical schools. If these courses appear in your transcripts, that would be enough to say you know something. I would leave it off

Do you think some schools care more? For example, Loyola talks about it a lot on their website which surprised me. Only 18% of their class speaks 1 language and 31% speak 3 or more. Not disagreeing it is of low importance based on the AAMC chart, but I was wondering if this was specifically a Loyola thing or if all med schools were similar. I would've thought multiple languages was a relatively small portion of applicant pool.

Reference: Class Profile: Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division

 

[Catalystik]

Language skills have little impact on admissions according to surveys of medical schools.

Do you think some schools care more?

Yes, some schools care more, and others not so much.

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

The language thing is actually a big part of my app, it'd be nice to know what other schools are keen on it. Eg Columbia's secondary asks what languages you can translate scholarly material from.