+/- of importance of Spanish speaking ability on app and or to adcom?

[BigPat91]

---

Members do not see this ad.

After skimming through the "Official Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Official '14-'15" thread, which by the way congrats to those who've made it and best of wishes to those who have not (yet), I'm curious as to whom had used their ability to speak Espanol ALBEIT their second, third, etc., language on their app and felt that it made an impact, and if so, how much you reckon?

To some (not many I hope considering the day in age we live in as Americans) this topic won't pertain to, but I myself, living in Texas, I already know the importance of knowing Spanish just for everyday life, let alone the importance in a professional career. I know I've answered my own question as to the importance, but just HOW supplemental was this skill in regards to application strength, likability to adcoms, etc.?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BrazilianRider]

I put down that I spoke Portuguese.

During my Kentucky interview they had me speak Portuguese.

I got into Kentucky.

That seems like good enough evidence to me that if you can actually speak a language fluently, you should put it down!

 

[cmroberts]

What if you can speak it, but not fluently? Would it be worth it to put it down?

 

[Pre-Dent Jeff]

I speak Spanish. Some of my interviewers were impressed since a lot of dental school patients, for certain schools, speak Spanish.

 

[DATtestTho]

Dont speak anything but English. Got in. If you dont speak 10 languages dont worry about it.

 

[BrazilianRider]

Dont speak anything but English. Got in. If you dont speak 10 languages dont worry about it.

That's true. I think the minimum should be at least four other languages before you consider sending in your application.

 

[DentalDoge]

That's true. I think the minimum should be at least four other languages before you consider sending in your application.

Who wants someone who only speaks 1 language?

 

[BrazilianRider]

Who wants someone who only speaks 1 language?

Medical schools. Who else would want to be associated with those plebs?

 

[strep mutans]

What if you can speak it, but not fluently? Would it be worth it to put it down?

I second this question. I am a bit rusty but could pick it back up fairly easily given the time/opportunity... I don't think I could bust out rapid/fluent Spanish at an interview though, nerves and all.

 

[ajj70]

That's true. I think the minimum should be at least four other languages before you consider sending in your application.

I'm at 3, English, Spanish and Sarcasm 😀.

 

[Pre-Dent Jeff]

Plenty of people get in with just English under their belt. Schools won't select you or deny you based off of knowing another language, but it doesn't hurt your cause.

 

[joiedevivre86]

I second this question. I am a bit rusty but could pick it back up fairly easily given the time/opportunity... I don't think I could bust out rapid/fluent Spanish at an interview though, nerves and all.

I wouldn't. You never know when an interviewer could ask you to speak it. Not only would you feel flustered/embarrassed for not being fluent, but adcoms could wonder what other part of your app you embellished.

 

[strep mutans]

I wouldn't. You never know when an interviewer could ask you to speak it. Not only would you feel flustered/embarrassed for not being fluent, but adcoms could wonder what other part of your app you embellished.

That's what I thought. For the record, I definitely wouldn't have put that I could speak it fluently. But yeah, I don't want to cause anyone to question the validity of any part of my app.

 

[Pre-Dent Jeff]

I wouldn't. You never know when an interviewer could ask you to speak it. Not only would you feel flustered/embarrassed for not being fluent, but adcoms could wonder what other part of your app you embellished.

The dentist I shadowed today told me about a friend of hers that had that happen in an interview for dental school. The interviewer did the entire second half of their interview in Spanish.

 

[strep mutans]

The dentist I shadowed today told me about a friend of hers that had that happen in an interview for dental school. The interviewer did the entire second half of their interview in Spanish.

Had the friend said they were fluent when they weren't?! That's nuts.

I was just wondering if it was even worth mentioning if you have like an intermediate level of Spanish speaking ability, or if it's only worth noting if you're fluent. (Same for any other language one might be likely to encounter during dental school.) I'm guessing it's not worth mentioning unless you're fluent, so I won't.

 

[shulk]

If you have an active interest in Spanish and have spent some time learning it but have not mastered it, why not speak of it as a hobby in the interview instead of a language you are fluent in?
I did this and I think it worked for me.

 

[catman856]

yo no hablo espanol? ok I'll be serious here. I myself I'm Hispanic from Texas. enteindo el espanol completely(somewhat), and if you were to ask me in spanish, I would understand what your saying, but my problem is that I can't speak it to well.. either way this is america so yeah gl

 

[Pre-Dent Jeff]

Had the friend said they were fluent when they weren't?! That's nuts.

I was just wondering if it was even worth mentioning if you have like an intermediate level of Spanish speaking ability, or if it's only worth noting if you're fluent. (Same for any other language one might be likely to encounter during dental school.) I'm guessing it's not worth mentioning unless you're fluent, so I won't.

She said that the student told them he's a little rusty, but they went on in Spanish. I guess he wasn't THAT rusty since he managed to get accepted.