<p>I came to America when I was a junior year, so my toefl is required for most of the colleges.
I took my first one in my Junior year and got 90 without any preparation.
So I tried my second time and my score just dropped about ten points.
As a senior I re-registered my toefl and misplaced the date so I threw my $180..haha
And for the last toefl that I just took last month, I spent $200 to take the taxi to take the toefl
But the score was bumped. It was 85.
So I am really tired of toefl and not confident to get over 100 immediately.
My SAT scores are not good enough to get a free pass for my toefl.
Reading score is the lowest. Its 450.
Writing is 600s and Math is 750.
I took SAT for four times and one SAT subject test.
I tried my best to get into college. I took ACT twice too.</p>
<p>I think my essays are good (I asked more than 5 teachers, counselor, and etc for every single essay and they told me the idea and writing was very unique and good)
My activities are good (I was selected as Korea representative for the Yale University global highschool debating competition? and was a head in other clubs; filled all ten activity list in common app)
And I got three recommendations from teachers, two peer evaluation and another from somebody.
My counselor read all of the recommendations that I got from my teachers and she said it was the most comment they could say and she told me it was beautiful.</p>
<p>I am sorry for these massy info about me but I really need help.</p>
<p>Most of the colleges that I applied and want to go has a toefl minimum for 100.
And all of my other Asian friends are telling me that I should retake the toefl.</p>
<p>Have you tried IELTS as an alternative option? </p>
<p>I took both since I never went to a US high school (was educated under a British system) and I needed either one of them for entry into University in the US.
I found IELTS easier since it was paper based and I had time to look through the paper and re-read all my questions and answers. If you feel comfortable speaking with someone face to face, the speaking portion would make things easier since they ask you simple questions like “tell me about the food in your country”
Search the web for some IELTS samples !</p>
<p>Did you already apply? If so, I think you won’t have time to retake the TOEFl or any other test. If that’s the case I would you write an email and explain why you think you didn’t do well on the TOEFL. </p>
<p>Check with the school that you intend to go to whether they have a summer English intensive program for the incoming class. Some universities offer such courses to their incoming class in lieu of TOEFL. You will be given provisional admission based on you successfully passing the summer English course.
Just send them an email and ask them alternatives to TOEFL. </p>
<p>IELTS is a great idea! I feel much comfortable with the paper based and talking in person. And I already applied those schools, but most of them told me they will accept additional scores. Should I take the IELTS on March 15 and send the emails to the all of the schools for an excuses?</p>
<p>For the Summer English intensive program, isn’t it only for a students who got accepted? My concern is what if they don’t accept me because of my numbers… :(</p>
<p>1° Do not send an email with excuses, this will only look bad
2° Take the IELTS indeed. Tell the colleges you’re taking the IELTS. First, PREPARE for it with a guide or textbook. Take mock tests to prepare. Be thorough. Send all your results.
3° Considering you mention applying only/mostly to colleges that require 100, I’m afraid you won’t be competitive for these - your SAT is 1200/1800 so you wouldn’t qualify for many of the colleges that require a 100, except test optional colleges.
I strongly suggest you apply to some of these colleges: <a href=“College Search | College Finder | Colleges by Major & Location”>College Search | College Finder | Colleges by Major & Location;
4° are you a permanent resident? Are you in-state for any public universities (ie, generally, it means your parents pay their taxes to a state, although some states have other provisions such as NY or TX depending on your status.)
Have you applied to several in-state public universities? Many of these are satisfied with a TOEFL 79 or 83 so you’d be off the hook!</p>