<p>I am currently a Junior in a US high school, but I am not a citizen nor a green card holder (My family has applied for it, but its is unlikely that we will receive it before my college apps. However, there is a chance that I may get my green card during my years in college). My family and I have lived in IN ever since I was 9.</p>
<p>I have been looking at colleges ranked 10-25 ish, non-ivies. My credentials are decent and I think I am at least qualified to be considered for these colleges. However, I have heard recently that as an international, my chances will be significantly reduced since I will be within the same pool with all the other internationals.</p>
<p>Thus, arriving at my question. In my case, how much will my chances be reduced? And will I be required to take the TOEFL even when English is my best language?</p>
<p>TOEFL is required or encouraged depending on the schools IF English is your second language, regardless which one is your best language. And again, being an international, the chances fluctuate depending on the schools you apply to. For instance, I think private schools are more lenient than public ones.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for the info about the toefl
My biggest concern is that all my EC’s are decent only relative to US students, since almost all of my academic career was spent here. I live in a remote little town in Indiana and with the limited opportunities here, I have struggled to build a record that can be competitive in college apps. Thus, if I were to be defined the same way as students from the tops international schools (the kinds of kids who will be applying for these colleges) instead of a student from rural Indiana, my fear is that my chances will then be greatly affected.<br>
Do you think its a valid concern?</p>
<p>I thought that the TOEFL was only necessary when the school you attend doesn’t use English as its primary language of instruction, but I’m not too sure. And from what I’ve read, it’s not that being international automatically lowers your chances, it just means that there are less positions available and extremely talented individuals competing for all of them. I think your concern is quite valid, unfortunately. Just focus on getting great grades and test scores, and writing some really good essays/getting good recs when the time comes around, and you should at least be competitive.</p>
