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Would knowing >2 languages be looked on positively is applications or is it not relevant?
Multi-lingual?
- Thread starter miabullitt
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Positively but it's not really going to make you that unique. There are many of us applying who can speak 2+ languages. It's a great thing to add, though, esp. if you have strong connections to the related culture (i.e., can relate to them well, etc., and, therefore, later be a resource in medicine). I'd suspect simply knowing enough Spanish to get by in Mexico is probably a bit more "meh," but if you're fluent enough to be a medical interpreter and have sufficient cultural immersion, this is certainly something of some value that might be brought up in interviews.
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It depends which two languages and if the languages are commonly spoken by non-English speaking patients in the area served by that medical school.
It is helpful if you are familiar with the culture as well although this can be difficult if not impossible if the language is widely spoken in a number of countries.
It is helpful if you are familiar with the culture as well although this can be difficult if not impossible if the language is widely spoken in a number of countries.
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So what your saying is speaking Pohnpeian fluently and being very familiar witht he related culture isn't winning me really any points?
Well that bites I sure wish I knew spanish as well as I know Pohnpeian.
Just a word of caution, only put it down if you can make it through a medical school interview in that language. One of my interviewers was a native speaker and asked me about my research and aspirations in that language (doubt some interviewers even knew which country of origin of that language). It is a big plus if you can do well in something like that, but if it's the "I-spent-8-weeks-in-this-country" type of speaking, I'd leave it out...
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I'm sure it helps.
I don't know spanish but I sent in an update letting the adcoms know that I started learning spanish through rosetta stone. Even if you don't know spanish fluently, it sets up a good patient rapport if you at least show them you are trying, even if you still rely on a translator.
I don't know spanish but I sent in an update letting the adcoms know that I started learning spanish through rosetta stone. Even if you don't know spanish fluently, it sets up a good patient rapport if you at least show them you are trying, even if you still rely on a translator.
I have that problem, too! (I can't tell if you're kidding or not about that language..) I know 3 random languages really well but Spanish not so much. A couple of schools I interviewed at had the students go around the room and say an interesting fact. I always mentioned that as my fact. I think it got me some unique points but didn't impact the admissions decisions significantly.
