toefl requirement

[glook]

Hi,

I am an international student applying to PhD programs in the US. Some universities say that they do not require a TOEFL score from international students who studied at universities where the language of instruction is English. I suppose this includes the English speaking universities outside English speaking countries. I am studying at a university where English is the language of instruction. Does this mean it is absolutely OK not to submit a TOEFL score, or should I still send a score to strengthen my application?

[Strangefox]

Hi,

I am an international student applying to PhD programs in the US. Some universities say that they do not require a TOEFL score from international students who studied at universities where the language of instruction is English. I suppose this includes the English speaking universities outside English speaking countries. I am studying at a university where English is the language of instruction. Does this mean it is absolutely OK not to submit a TOEFL score, or should I still send a score to strengthen my application?

I guess, yes, if in a university English is the language of instruction, it does not matter where the univesity is located.

How long have you been studying in your university? That can be important. Also, is absolutely everything in English there (lectures, seminars, discussions with professors and other students during classes)?

If I were you, to be absolutely sure I would ask schools directly.

[elliebear]

Hi,

I am an international student applying to PhD programs in the US. Some universities say that they do not require a TOEFL score from international students who studied at universities where the language of instruction is English. I suppose this includes the English speaking universities outside English speaking countries. I am studying at a university where English is the language of instruction. Does this mean it is absolutely OK not to submit a TOEFL score, or should I still send a score to strengthen my application?

Yes, you should double-check by emailing the grad admission committee if you are able to waive toefl results, though in your case it is most certainly that you do not need to submit. do include in your email how many years you have been educated in english-speaking institution(s), and past standardized assessments which can prove your adequate command of english

[DariaIRL]

Check with the individual university's Graduate Admissions, Info for International Applicants (or something like that). It's not just international schools taught in English, but specific countries that are exempt from the language requirement.

[eklavya]

Hi,

I am an international student applying to PhD programs in the US. Some universities say that they do not require a TOEFL score from international students who studied at universities where the language of instruction is English. I suppose this includes the English speaking universities outside English speaking countries. I am studying at a university where English is the language of instruction. Does this mean it is absolutely OK not to submit a TOEFL score, or should I still send a score to strengthen my application?

the answer is no. read the instructions on grad program website again. toefl is exempt if you study in a school in a nation that has english as its primary language. an example: indians have a long history of communicating in all forms of english, but they still are required to turn in toefl scores. unless you can make the grad program waive the toefl requirement, you are going to have to send the scores.

[Alyanumbers]

the answer is no. read the instructions on grad program website again. toefl is exempt if you study in a school in a nation that has english as its primary language. an example: indians have a long history of communicating in all forms of english, but they still are required to turn in toefl scores. unless you can make the grad program waive the toefl requirement, you are going to have to send the scores.

I'm sorry, but that information is incorrect. Students educated at the American University in Cairo, for example, do not have to submit TOEFL scores.

Double-check with the department; include the name of your university, the location and how many years you've studied there (some places waive the TOEFL requirement after just 2 years of English-based instruction).

[Bukharan]

As many said before, double-check with the department.

Some schools (normally, top schools) only waive the TOEFL requirement for those with an undergraduate degree from a university in an English-speaking country (India, Egypt, Malaysia, Lebanon would not count no matter how established some of their English-language universities are). Some universities will waive the language proficiency requirement unconditionally on the location of your undergraduate institution. Contact admissions!

[eklavya]

I'm sorry, but that information is incorrect. Students educated at the American University in Cairo, for example, do not have to submit TOEFL scores.

Double-check with the department; include the name of your university, the location and how many years you've studied there (some places waive the TOEFL requirement after just 2 years of English-based instruction).

'course, there are exceptions. but my point in general was, since literally 1000s of universities around the world teach in english, even where english is not the obligate language spoken, the rule in general is that the nation has to be obligate/primarily english speaking. again, in general.

[fuzzylogician]

'course, there are exceptions. but my point in general was, since literally 1000s of universities around the world teach in english, even where english is not the obligate language spoken, the rule in general is that the nation has to be obligate/primarily english speaking. again, in general.

But that's just the point.

What's true "in general" is not important here. The OP needs to know what the specific programs that (s)he is applying to say about the specific university that (s)he is from. Maybe getting a waiver is the exception, not the rule, that is granted; but if this case happens to be that exception, that could save the OP several hundred dollars. OP: contact your schools and ask.

[dval]

Hi,

I am an international student applying to PhD programs in the US. Some universities say that they do not require a TOEFL score from international students who studied at universities where the language of instruction is English. I suppose this includes the English speaking universities outside English speaking countries. I am studying at a university where English is the language of instruction. Does this mean it is absolutely OK not to submit a TOEFL score, or should I still send a score to strengthen my application?

Each school has its own policies. Some might waive the TOEFL score, some might not. You have to check.