<p>I am a rising sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering and doing pre-med. For my degree I am required to take 3 semesters of a foreign language. What languages are medical schools looking for? I haev heard many things? I have heard that an uncommon language is the way to go because it stands out on an application. Is this true or is something more common like Spanish more useful?</p>
<p>Honestly I don’t think medschools care. I think its more important what will be useful in the future for you or what you’re interested in. For example, if you go somewhere like Cali, Tx, Fl, or Az (maybe not anymore?) you might have to interact with some hispanic patients and being able to speak a little spanish might be useful. At the same time though are you really going to able to learn enough spanish in 3 years to have a useful conversation? </p>
<p>And an “unusual” language should really have no impact on your chances unless you do more with that language like go to the country and do research or volunteer. Otherwise, its just like any other class you’ve taken and won’t have any impact on your application.</p>
<p>Continue with the one that you took in HS, the one that you took placement test before your freshman year at college. This to ensure the hiest possible grade, which is the only thing that is important.</p>
<p>Spanish is of increasing importance for medical professionals because of increasing numbers of Hispanic patients who sometimes don’t speak much English. If I were you, I’d take it. Even if you don’t live in an area with a large Hispanic population, it’s still worth it. You’re much more likely to use it here in the US than say, German or Japanese. Plus, I also think it’s one of the easiest languages for an English speaker to learn, because there are so many cognates. After three semesters, you’ll probably be more proficient in Spanish than in any other language.</p>
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<p>QFT - med schools don’t care what language you take, or even if you take one at all. If you’re required to take one, take one that you like and will do well in.</p>
<p>I am doing Italian. Should be interesting, I got tired of Spanish from middle school to high school.</p>
<p>Med schools don’t care about your language, like ChemFreak said, you won’t learn enough spanish in a couple of college spanish classes to maintain and hold a conversation.</p>