<p>I'm an American but I was born and I grew up abroad. I'm currently still outside the US. Does this make me an international student? And will I have to sit the TOEFL like other international students?</p>
<p>Also, despite the fact that I'm an American my first language is not English. Will colleges require a TOEFL score because of this?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Since English isn’t your first language you will have to take TOEFl or any other English proficiency test. Since you were born abroad you more than likely won’tbe able to apply for instate tutition and instead will only be able to use oos unless you have a green card or any other visa saying that you’re eligible. Each college may have a different rules but from what I’ve researched many will still class you as an international meaning you won’t be able to get FAFSA or any other financial aid provided by the US government.</p>
<p>OP is a US citizen - perfectly eligible for FAFSA. In-state/out-of-state tuition is a different matter because it depends on other factors than just citizenship.</p>
<p>
If you identify yourself as a non-native speaker who’s also been educated in language other than English, many colleges will require TOEFL scores for admission. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to take the test to have the scores on hand. If, on the other hand, your high school classes were taught in English (you mentioned in another thread that you are taking A-levels), most colleges would not require TOEFL scores. Many colleges will also grant TOEFL waivers for high SAT scores, but that’s not universal (for the obvious reason that the SAT doesn’t measure if you can speak English). </p>
<p>
The “domestic” vs “international” distinction is meaningless because the terms mean different things in different contexts. You’ll never have to identify as “domestic” or “international” on a college application. You’ll answer much more concrete questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Are you a citizen of the US? If not, will you need a student visa to study at our college?</li>
<li>What is your native language? If English is not your native language, for how many years have you been learning English? </li>
<li>What is your address?</li>
<li>What is the address of your school?</li>
<li>If you did not attend an American-style school (“defined as…”), please complete this international supplement in addition to the regular school report.</li>
</ul>
<p>I encourage you to read both the regular admission section and the international admission section for each college because bits and pieces from both sections will apply to you.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you very much b@r!um
I’m sorry that I could not reply earlier…I forgot my username of all things lol
Anyway, now that I’m back I’m so happy to have read your post. It’s very detailed and I’ll follow all of your advise! </p>
<p>Thanks again! :)</p>
<p>Hey guys, i have the same question actually but quite a different profile :
I am french, born in paris lived in france for like 11 yrs etc
Moved to london (uk) BUT attends a french school
Scored a high A on my GCSE (british exam) in English Language (analysing poetry etc)
But still take my french baccalaureate with all my classes (except for english language) taught in french</p>
<p>I really cannot be bothered to take my TOEFL and I don’t think it will help justify anything like CR or W in the SAT because my scores are ok (From practice, took my test yesterday so don’t have the official scores yet) … </p>
<p>Oh and last thing, do US colleges accept the IELTS because those are being taught at my school and if I am required to take a language proficiency test I’d rather just take the IELTS…:s</p>
<p>THanks!</p>