Importance of Foreign Language

<p>I'm a sophomore and I will be picking classes for next year pretty soon. I have the option to drop French H and instead take another class (such as another science class or Anatomy). My lowest grade is French and I don't care too much for it so I'd rather take another class pertaining to my planned major. However, I've seen many schools like to see at least 3 yrs of foreign language. Would it be wise for me to drop French if I wanted to try to get into a bs/md program? </p>

<p>Good question. Anyone?</p>

<p>I definitely wouldn’t do it. The more selective colleges won’t like it.<br>
Drop it as a senior and replace it with a challenging course. </p>

<p>Frankly, I am not aware of importance of French in Med. School, but Spanish has been openning great opportunities for my D. (3rd year Med. Student). She took only one semester of college Spanish (placed into 3rd year). Her college Spanish was one of her best and most useful UG classes. She was able to speak after this class, although she keep saying that she is NOT fluent. She also has taken Medical Spanish while in Med. School where she palced into intermediate level. One great opprotunity was being selected for the trip to Peru where Medical students (mostly after first year) can actually perform in medical capacity and also are used as translators. They had most applicants than spots available on this trip. She also used her Spanish extansively in one of her rotations where she said at least 60% of patients were Spanish speaking. Keep in mind that I am not talking about any southern state, I am talking about Ohio. So, I imagine that having Spanish is a great advantage at any Med. School. Couple times she also used her other Foreign language, she could undertand it well but has very limited speaking skills. Again, this was not French. </p>

<p>For BS/MD Programs I know that some value foreign language like BU’s program. I personally took 2 years of foreign language in my high school and then took an online course to satisfy my 3rd year. You can consider that as an option also. </p>

<p>If you have a chance to take Anatomy and Physiology in high school, do not hesitate to take it. I took it as a sophomore and it was my most favorite class of all of high school. </p>