<p>I'm working on the CMU supplement and there's a question about one's native language. I looked for the answer on their site, but I couldn't fine it. Anyway...</p>
<p>For me, what I consider my native language is not English, and I didn't speak any English until I was about four, and definitely couldn't speak fluently till age eight or so. I was, however, born and raised here in the U.S. The problem is, English still isn't the language that comes naturally to me when I'm angry/sad/etc. Therefore, I put down my native language (an Indian one) and then realized I need to take the TOEFL if I don't put down English. From what I can gather, CMU doesn't give you the option of TOEFL or SAT/ACT the way many colleges do. For reference, my SAT/ACT English/Writing scores are high enough (CR 700, W 790, ACT English 35, R 34), so will I still have to take the TOEFL if I put down the language I speak at home/with family? Or should I put down English even though I don't feel as if that's my native language?</p>
<p>You could call them, but I would think this way....you were born in the US. From kindergarten (or before) to now, which means your entire school experience, you've been taught in English. That to me means English is your native language. I don't think it matters much what happened before age 4. You may be bilingual but you're the product of English speaking schooling. With your scores it would be ridiculous to take TOEFL. </p>
<p>So I'd put down English as your native language.</p>
<p>You would have to check with Admissions first, but I would suspect you are only required to submit TOEFL scores if you have graduated from a High School outside the United States where English is not the primary language of instruction. If you have lived in the US since age 4, are a permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) or naturalized US citizen, and hold a US High School diploma, you should definitely apply as a domestic student, not as an international.</p>
<p>I think that your native language is what you customarily speak at home - especially if it's the language you learned first. It doesn't matter if your entire schooling has been in the US.</p>