TOEFL score just one point less than cut-off:please help!

[payel1986]

I am applying for chemistry grad admission in fall 2015. In spite of having strong research experience (4 pubs, 9 patents in 6 yrs of research in MNC R & D and strong GPA, LOR etc), My TOEFL score is just 99 (speaking 23). I want to apply in USC, Gtech and U Maryland and each of their TOEFL cut-off is 100. Should I go for applying? Am I still eligible? My GRE is 312 (Q 162) (please see the stats in my profile). Does 100 cut-off mean they are not at all going to accept the student or after acceptance he/she has to sit for an english exam? Does it mean, even if the student is admitted, he/she will not be granted TA/RA?  Please help! I am standing helpless with deadline approaching so soon. Thanks!Any suggestions are welcome!

Edited October 29, 2014 by payel1986

[Applemiu]

I think that's fine, but see what other people say. Maybe contact someone in admission.

[GCool]

Hey Payel,

 

I'd like to assume that like with other requirements schools might have, there may be a little wiggle room given excellent other credentials - which you definitely have! I would discuss your situation with the schools you've been applying to.

 

Can the TOEFL be retaken? I know you're close to the deadlines, but if you offer to retake it and pass, that could easily get rid of any anxiety a professor might have for allowing you to be a TA/RA.

 

-GCool

[00o0ooo]

Can you retake? There's still time for retake (I'm taking TOEFL on Nov 8).

 

I mean your application is great so you don't want to be rejected simply due to a lower TOEFL score. Some departments (or, the Graduate School) might be serious about the language proficiency requirement because TA is sometimes mandatory. (Correct me if I'm wrong!) And as Applemiu said it's best to contact admissions office about this.

Edited October 29, 2014 by 00o0ooo

[Between Fields]

Sometimes, as others have said, there are hard requirements for the language test that don't have a lot of wiggle room. This is especially true if you're seeking an assistantship, as a lot of states have laws that mandate minimums in English proficiency for employees in instructional capacities that the university simply can't override. It's possible that the department could give you an RA instead of a TA to help get around this, but some universities just won't play ball with that at all. Is there anyway you could retake and hope to earn that extra point? It'll make things easier for you in the long run. Public universities in general are harder for international students to get into, just because of the realities of international tuition costs and state funding models, so anything you can do to play by the book is going to be a great bonus for you.

[payel1986]

Thanks folks for your great suggestions! I am out of time..otherwise would definitely consider retaking it.

[biochemistry professor]

Exceptions can usually be made for cases where an applicant barely misses a cutoff like TOEFL or GPA. However, our experience with students with weaker English ability is that they really struggle academically even if they have a strong science background. And they make terrible TAs. Please devote as much time to improving your language skills as your science.