Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 10/4/2007

Question
Dear, Ronald Levy, M.D.
   I'm currently a junior in highschool and am interested in a career in Anesthesiology. My question is about majors and minors in college:
   I've read many other questions you and the other doctors have answered and am thinking about majoring in Biology. But i was wondering if minoring in a foreign language such as German would in any way help me to get into med school (assuming i do well on the MCAT). I think it would be a fairly simple minor because i'm good at it, and also i was thinking it might set me apart from other applicants.
    Do med. schools like people who are bilingual? Also do hospitals like people who are bilingual?
    The reason i ask this is because i will only spend my time on something not health related if it will help my chances of succeeding.

    Thanks for you time, David S.

Answer
I don't think it will help or hurt you but it always helps to have a second language (Spanish being preferred since so many patients are spanish speaking). Hospitals love bilinguals becuase they can get them to translate (something you'll have little time for). I don't think med schools care that much.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston