Should I take the TOEFL even though I'm a U.S citizen?

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hi!
So I’m already in my senior year of high school and I’ve finally decided that I’ll be studying in the states, so basically I’m drowning in all of this information and things that are required in order to be able to apply to colleges (which I would’ve done sooner if I had known it was going to be this hard). I was born in Georgia and because of my parent’s work I’ve had to live both in the US and in the Dominican Republic for a couple of years. I’ve done kindergarten, fourth, fifth and sixth grade in the US and the rest has been done in DR.

I was wondering if the TOEFL is something that is obligated for me to take in order to be able to apply to any college. Some of the ones that I’m planning to apply to will waiver the test if I’m a US citizen studying in a foreign country, which is good for me because I have a twin brother that is also applying and the application fees plus the SAT/ACT tests are already starting to pile up into a big amount of money that I doubt my parents can afford to pay for the both of us, and having to add the TOEFL is stressful enough, so I’m also looking into hopefully getting the app fees wavered. However, not all of them specify this case, as I only see that they ask the International students to take the TOEFL. This, is why I’m asking.

The school I attend does have ESL classes that are mandatory to take, so it’s not like I’m not speaking english (even though I do everything in english as I really don’t like speaking/reading in spanish) at all, although I doubt this is important in the application process.

I do plan on contacting each college to let them know of my situation, hopefully will only be applying to those who will waiver it. I don’t plan on taking the TOEFL if it’s not going to hinder my application process, if it does, then I guess I’ll just have to take it. So, is it necessary for me (and my brother) to take it? I’m really sorry over the long post!

2

If you have scored strongly on the verbal portions of the SAT/ACT, then I see no reason to take the TOEFL. Contact the school and request a waiver.

3

That’s what you’re going to have to do. Colleges are all over the board on their TOEFL policies. Your US citizenship does not come into play IMO. Living in DR, if all your classes are in Spanish other than English class, do not be surprised if some schools do require your to take TOEFL.

4

Each college and university sets its own policy about this, so you do need to contact each and every one of them, and find out whether or not you need to present results of an English proficiency exam. Most will accept the IELTS as well as the TOEFL. Some will also accept other specific exams.

If you have completed your secondary education in a school where all of the classes are taught in English, then it is very likely that you will not be required to take the TOEFL. On the other hand, if you have completed your secondary education in a school where the primary language of instruction is not English, it is almost certain that you will be required to take the TOEFL.

The TOEFL evaluates more than just conversational fluency. It is designed to help evaluate whether or not you have sufficiently advanced skills in academic English so that you are truly ready to succeed in college here.