I didn’t realize until now that some private schools that I plan to apply to require a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score since English is not my ‘native’ language…
If I have lived in the US for a majority of my life and both write/speak English fluently compared to my native language, would it be fine to apply as bilingual to avoid having to take the tests listed above?
If the majority of your life in the US includes all of HS without ESL classes, I cannot think of a single college that would need you to take TOEFL. There may be a strange exception, but you can always ask your target colleges.
There’s no applying as bilingual. You list the languages you speak, and the college does with it what it will. Regardless, if a college requires an applicant in a certain situation to take TOEFL, they will say what alternatives, if any, are allowed.
If you are applying from the U.S. as a U.S. citizen, they are not going to know that English isn’t your first language. I’m a little confused by your post. Are you living abroad now or are you not a citizen?
Every college and university has its English prificiency requirements right on its website - even the community colleges and public universities. Each place sets its own requirements. If an exam is required, then your options are to take one of the accepted exams, or not apply. it really is that simple.
If you do need to take the TOEFL/IELTS/other exam, spend some time preparing for that exam. The format of the TOEFL and IELTS are not the same, and both differ substantially from the SAT and ACT.