I’m concerned specifically about University of Maryland-College Park. Their website states:
“If English is not your native language- regardless of your citizenship-you must provide the university with verification of your proficiency in English. All applicants should have an official report of their scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the appropriate application deadline. Please note that while TOEFL or IELTS scores are required to satisfy proficiency in English, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will conduct a full file review considering all application materials submitted in application package to make a determination about the student’s level of English proficiency.”
My first language was Russian, but I moved to the US when I was 3 and have attended school here and have not been in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) since the fourth grade. I was not planning on taking TOEFL/IELTS at all since I have taken the SAT and ACT and did fine on both (scores of 2200 and 34), but that statement on their application is making me kind of nervous. It specifically asked what my first language was and I said Russian, so I guess now I’m required to take the TOEFL/IELTS??
I’m assuming it would be bad to just completely ignore that and submit my SAT/ACT test scores… Should I email their office of undergraduate admissions to clarify if I really need to take them?