How important is the TOEFL?

[JISNEGRO]

Hi all,

Currently I am applying to several Ph.D. programs in Computer Science and many of them do not have a minimun TOEFL score requirement, but I wonder what difference can make a high score (105) Vs a low score (95)? Does the TOEFL score have a high impact on the chances of being admitted?

Thanks

[t1racyjacks]

think it depends on the program. probably higher scores count towards humanities/ social sciences and count less towards science-y programs (eg mathematics)

[fuzzylogician]

The program may not have a TOEFL cutoff but the graduate school might. Check the general graduate admissions page for each university you're applying to. The TOEFL is usually one of those things that can keep you out if your score is below some minimum but will not do much if you're above a certain threshold. They might care more in Humanities programs (though there, too, there are better ways of learning about an applicant's fluency in English than using the TOEFL score). In Science fields, AFAIK, it's really one of those things where all you need to do is pass, and doing very well doesn't contribute very much at all.

[JISNEGRO]

Thank you all for your responses.

[Shostakovich]

I have heard of some Science departments having something like a 100 minimum requirement, although I'm not sure how strongly it's enforced.

[DEVGRU]

I know some programs have TOEFL-philia (including Chemistry, Public Health and other science program), but for many programs, 95 would suffice and 105 would be a decent score.

[alf10087]

I've heard from many experts in the matter that TOEFL is just about the cut-off. If you're over it then you're fine, and a higher score won't provide additional help.

 

For example, if the cut-off is 100, there's not much difference from a 101 and a 120.

[Andean Pat]

For example, if the cut-off is 100, there's not much difference from a 101 and a 120.

 

I totally agree. Aim at scoring 100+, you'll impress them!!!  

[zapster]

In addition to all of the above - some programs have a specific cut-off on the TOEFL 'Speaking' section to qualify as a Teaching Assistant.

[geitost]

From my experience, some schools will not award Teaching Assistantships to first-year grad students whose native language is not English, regardless of how well they did on the TOEFL or whether they've studied in the U.S. before. I.e. they want to make up their own minds about your ability to give lectures in English rather than trusting someone else's assessment.

 

In general, I agree with everyone else's comments above: once you've hit the minimum (if there is one), you're good to go, but a higher score will have no positive impact on your chances to be admitted (except maybe in comparison with other international students, everything else being equal). And that makes sense, too, considering that you're competing with native speakers of English... A high TOEFL score is no comparative advantage. On the other hand, I have read on several schools' websites that they make allowances for international students with not quite so high verbal scores on the GRE. But that is a different matter...

[mehr1369]

My toefl ibt score is 92 and i intend to apply for mechanic Ph.D. The cut-off for most mechanic progams is between 80 to 90. Is that worth taking another toefl ibt to get a 100+ score or it doesnt make significant difference?

[MikKar]

The TOEFL is only really important to pass any cut-offs the university uses to reduce the volume of applications. Otherwise a strong score in TOEFL doesn't really enhance your chances of being accepted, LORs and SOP are a whole lot more important.

[TTBD]

I know some programs have TOEFL-philia (including Chemistry, Public Health and other science program), but for many programs, 95 would suffice and 105 would be a decent score.

Thanks for your answer, zhen ge！I'm Zhichao