Impact of toefl in January

Applying to College
1

Hello,

I’m a 12th grade international student from a non-English speaking country, so most schools require or strongly recommend taking the toefl. However, my disorganization got the best of me and I was only able to register for the January 6th session (meaning schools would receive my result by late January at the latest).

My English proficiency context is as follows: I have a 36 ACT + writing composite (with 36E 36M 35S 35R and 12W) and a 36 ELA subscore; I have also studied in an international school my whole life and have a predicted 7 for IB English A LAL HL (full diploma). These are incredible results which surely point to my english proficiency.

In this circumstance, I don’t imagine scoring a highly on the toefl(115+) would be a boost to my application. I’d be sending my scores in for protocol. Because of my great ACT score, trying to waive my need to send in scores may impact me negatively, as it shows I couldn’t go through the trouble of taking the toefl despite my excellent scores elsewhere, making me look lazy. However, if I inform them my scores are arriving later than usual (and I imagine most schools would consider them) then it’d become apparent I left it for the last minute and was disorganized.

What is the best course of action? 12 out of my 15 schools have a sub-12% acceptance rate so I really don’t want to trip on something this minute.

2

Each of the places on your application list states very clearly on its website what it’s policy is about the TOEFL. If you aren’t obliged to have a TOEFL score because of your ACT score, because of the language of instruction at your international school, etc., then you don’t need to take it.

If they clearly state that they will accept a January score, then you have no reason to panic either. Just take the January exam.

If you need to ask for an exception in your case, then you need to contact the international admission office yesterday and do just that. Stop worrying about this. Do what you have to do, and move on. Your fretting will not change one thing.