Does TOEFL score have any effect when you don't need it?

Student Lounge International Students
1

Let me give you my background first:

US citizen by birth
Grew up in South Korea, English second language
US public school from 6-10th grade
International school in Korea since 11th (primary language of instruction English)
ACT English 33, Reading 30
Currently a senior

From what I’ve seen, most colleges don’t require TOEFL if the language of instruction throughout your high school was English. In some cases I might not even be considered an international students. Personally, I’d rather pass it because I think it’s a waste of time and money.

However, my counselors and the school principal keep insisting that I take TOEFL. Their argument was essentially that a good TOEFL score will make me look good even if I don’t technically need it. In addition, the school was officially recognized as a private international school by NCPSA (my school is only 7 years old) only few months ago. This might mean that colleges won’t acknowledge my junior year, and I won’t fit the criteria for skipping TOEFL. Probably not though.

Another thing to note is that admission people at Brown said TOEFL is “highly recommended but not required” when I told them my situation. “Highly recommended” part is bugging me a wee bit.

With all due respect to the principal, I really don’t think it’ll make much of difference. What do you think?

2

It looks to me like the admissions office at Brown would prefer that you take the TOEFL, so take it. Do review TOEFL prep material before that exam. The differences in format (including listening and speaking activities) and some of the content are different enough from the ACT that they could cause problems for you if you haven’t done any specific review.

3

I think that you should take it. Like you I also studied high school at an English language school in a location where the dominant language was something else. The US university that I attended required that I demonstrate my proficiency in English before I could attend even though English was my first language. TOEFL will take away this concern on the part of the universities.