English Language Requirement at UCSD?

[jazzrap]

I am an international student studying as an undergrad (now junior) in an university in the US. I saw this on the UCSD office of graduate studies website (http://ogs.ucsd.edu/prospective-students/graduate-admissions/guidelines-and-procedures/application-procedures/international-applicant-reqs/english-proficiency.html):

"Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied for one uninterrupted year at a university-level institution in a country where English is the official language."

So I believe my English is fluent, but still I am kind of confused with the meaning of this sentence. Can any native language speakers here tell me if I still need to take the English tests like TOEFL and IELTS?

Here is Michigan's requirement. Note that the grammar is kind of different (and vs. or). I am also confused.

"

All applicants whose native language is not English or who have not received an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the exclusive medium of instruction are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). "

[RWBG]

The first statement (UCSD's) suggests that you only need to demonstrate proficiency (write the TOEFL) if you do not satisfy both conditions (native English, have attended an English language institution), or equivalently, you don't need to write the TOEFL if you satisfy either condition. The second (MIchigan's) technically states that if either condition is unsatisfied, you have to take the TOEFL (i.e. implying that foreign language native students with a degree from the U.S. would still have to write it), but I suspect that's actually them confusing the logic as well. I think the general rule is that if you're either (1) a native speaker OR (2) have an undergraduate degree from an English language institution, then you should be fine not writing the TOEFL; either of those things are supposed to suffice to demonstrate English language competency.

[jazzrap]

The first statement (UCSD's) suggests that you only need to demonstrate proficiency (write the TOEFL) if you do not satisfy both conditions (native English, have attended an English language institution), or equivalently, you don't need to write the TOEFL if you satisfy either condition. The second (MIchigan's) technically states that if either condition is unsatisfied, you have to take the TOEFL (i.e. implying that foreign language native students with a degree from the U.S. would still have to write it), but I suspect that's actually them confusing the logic as well. I think the general rule is that if you're either (1) a native speaker OR (2) have an undergraduate degree from an English language institution, then you should be fine not writing the TOEFL; either of those things are supposed to suffice to demonstrate English language competency.

Thanks!! Recently I visited the website of Michigan's general administrative unit of graduate admission to which the graduate program in political science is answerable, and it says that my situation entitles me to TOEFL exemption.

[RWBG]

As an additional note, I don't think UCSD funds any international students, so you might want to strike them off your list.

[jazzrap]

As an additional note, I don't think UCSD funds any international students, so you might want to strike them off your list.

My parents agree to pay, so I have an additional question: if they don't fund any international students, will they just reject international students given that they probably will have to decline the offer anyways? If that is the case, then I need to deal with this collateral damage.

[RWBG]

I don't think they'll reject you because of that.

[jazzrap]

I don't think they'll reject you because of that.

Okay, I hope not. BTW, are you applying this year? What's your background? Just curious...

[RWBG]

Okay, I hope not. BTW, are you applying this year? What's your background? Just curious...

I'm starting a program in the fall. Beyond that, you can find more information about me in this advice thread I created, which you may also find useful otherwise!

[jazzrap]

I'm starting a program in the fall. Beyond that, you can find more information about me in this advice thread I created, which you may also find useful otherwise!

Thank you for this thread. I actually already visited the thread, but forgot that you were the original poster. Very helpful indeed! Good luck in grad school!

[splinter111]

As an additional note, I don't think UCSD funds any international students, so you might want to strike them off your list.

RWBG is right; sadly, it is the case. UCSD doesn't wave tuition for students receiving TAs, as most unis do.

You can get more info here:

http://polisci.ucsd.edu/grad/financial/financial_support.html

Also, RWBG, do you happen to know any other places that don't fund int. students?

Cheers,

[RWBG]

RWBG is right; sadly, it is the case. UCSD doesn't wave tuition for students receiving TAs, as most unis do.

You can get more info here:

http://polisci.ucsd....al_support.html

Also, RWBG, do you happen to know any other places that don't fund int. students?

Cheers,

Yeah, it's a tough sell for non-US citizens. It's hard for me to imagine that one would be able to justify going to UCSD over somewhere else they were admitted (given that the probability of being admitted somewhere else conditional on being admitted to UCSD is pretty high), but I suppose others might have more disposable income than me.

I don't think anywhere else in the top 25-30 categorically doesn't fund int'l students. I think UCLA seemed to have to fill out more paperwork to fund int'l students than other schools, but they still accept and fund plenty of non-US citizens. Don't know if being an int'l student puts you at a competitive disadvantage, but I suspect not.

[splinter111]

I don't think anywhere else in the top 25-30 categorically doesn't fund int'l students. I think UCLA seemed to have to fill out more paperwork to fund int'l students than other schools, but they still accept and fund plenty of non-US citizens. Don't know if being an int'l student puts you at a competitive disadvantage, but I suspect not.

That is good to know. TY