<p>What does the native language requirement mean exactly? Do you have to have spoken English since you were born? I have lived and attended school in an English speaking country (New Zealand) since grade 2 and believe that my English language abilities are at least equal to that of those for whom English is their mother-language. I also have a 700+ score in the critical reading section of the SAT. Do colleges still require a TOEFL or whatever test because I did not speak English since I was born? I am very confused by the use of the word "native" in the application requirements of most colleges. Thank you guys for any help!!!</p>
<p>It really really really depends on the university. MOST universities are content if you completed the last 4 years of your secondary education in an English-speaking setting. You’ve done that. Others will take a high SAT Critical Reading score as sufficient evidence of your English proficiency. You’ve got that too. However, there are still a few universities that would make you take the TOEFL if they in any way suspected that English is not your first language. SUNY Stony Brook comes to mind, for example.</p>
<p>I’ve also heard a story of someone getting adopted by an American family at age 3 (!) and still being required to present TOEFL scores at one university… </p>
<p>Personally, if I were you, I’d just check the “native speaker” box and not deal with the hassle. You are clearly not going to need ESL classes, so who cares?</p>
<p>Oh wow haha I guess some universities are really quite inflexible then in that story. I don’t want to tick first language for English because I want to remain absolutely honest in the entire process and even though there would most likely be no harm I just feel like I should present the truth.
Thanks a lot man, if a university says that I still require the test then I will try to contact them and explain the situation. Hopefully they will understand? Thanks!</p>