LOR in Spanish?

[orangeANDgreen]

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I have tried to search for this but haven't been able to find it on here or on google...

I have taken Spanish for a year now and I have built a great relationship with my spanish teacher, we only had 3 students in my class last semester so she really knows me.

I wanted to ask her about writing a letter of recommendation but I know that her English is not very good. Does AMCAS accept a letter in Spanish, or will I need to have someone translate for her?

 

[The Poet Sings]

I have tried to search for this but haven't been able to find it on here or on google...

I have taken Spanish for a year now and I have built a great relationship with my spanish teacher, we only had 3 students in my class last semester so she really knows me.

I wanted to ask her about writing a letter of recommendation but I know that her English is not very good. Does AMCAS accept a letter in Spanish, or will I need to have someone translate for her?

i'd suggest getting it translated (either by you or someone else. there is plenty on here about people writing their own letters and just getting them read and signed, so consider bringing that option up to her, too). i think that amcas will technically accept whatever you send them, but the schools will probably not be pleased when they receive a letter in spanish and now have to find a translator/spanish speaking member to read it. if they're lazy they may ignore the letter completely. not that i know that for a fact. you could ask each school if they'd accept a letter written in spanish, if you are really intent on keeping it in her words.

 

[daveworking]

👍

i'd suggest getting it translated (either by you or someone else. there is plenty on here about people writing their own letters and just getting them read and signed, so consider bringing that option up to her, too). i think that amcas will technically accept whatever you send them, but the schools will probably not be pleased when they receive a letter in spanish and now have to find a translator/spanish speaking member to read it. if they're lazy they may ignore the letter completely. not that i know that for a fact. you could ask each school if they'd accept a letter written in spanish, if you are really intent on keeping it in her words.

 

[Barcu]

Translation is certainly an option. I would recommend that you not translate it. First off, I think schools like it when you waive your right to see you letter. That way, the recommender can write what they want without fear of having you see it. They can be honest, something that med schools prefer. As well, if you translate it, would you change it to be more flattering to you as an applicant. There is too much of a conflict of interest there. Finally, it seems you have only taken Spanish for a year (from what you said, maybe I'm mistaken). If that is really the case, you probably do not have the skill to translate a recommendation letter (I'm generalizing here but I would have a hard time believing you could).

So, to summarize my long paragraph, translation by someone else may be a good option.

Personally, as someone who has taken Spanish for a long time and knows how translation can change meanings, I would call AMCAS and different medical schools. See if they would accept a letter in Spanish. I'm not sure if they would go through the effort, but I highly doubt they couldn't find someone who could read it. I would recommend sending in a Spanish letter if it is possible.

 

[indya]

get it translated before you send it to them. it would be best if it was translated by a third-party or ethical issues could be called into question. someone had a similar question about a bosnian language LOR recently. search it if you want more advice.

 

[apumic]

Definitely needs to be translated; however, as was mentioned, you want someone else (preferably a bilingual professional with a knowledge of med school and experience writing LORs) to do the translation. You should also include a copy of the original along with the translated version for their review (have the translator do this prior to sealing the envelope or submitting it).

 

[student1799]

Definitely needs to be translated

I agree.

You should also include a copy of the original along with the translated version for their review (have the translator do this prior to sealing the envelope or submitting it).

No, no, no--do NOT do this. If you send AMCAS a foreign-language letter and translation, they'll probably get all picky and insist you use an "official" translation service that charges a fortune. (This is what they require for foreign transcripts.)

Instead, use some common sense. Have the teacher give the letter to a bilingual friend and let them translate it, THEN HAVE HER SIGN HER NAME TO THE ENGLISH VERSION AND SUBMIT ONLY THAT. There's no need for "expertise in medical LORs," because this woman is only a Spanish teacher-- she couldn't possibly be using medical terminology in her letter. It's probably going to say something like, "X is a very good student who is hard-working, friendly and helpful to others.X would make a fine doctor." No need to shell out $100 for an "official" translation of that.

 

[apumic]

^True about the lack of medical terminology. Good point. I meant more in terms of how the prof's letter should be translated concerning the OP's abilities. How to make it sound best.

I hadn't thought of that with AMCAS, though.... My thought was that including the original letter allows the medical schools to verify that the translation is correct (not that they're likely too but it gives credibility). Unfortunately, you're probably right about them requiring some sort of "official" translation....