I asked this very same question to college admission of UMD a few days ago. But their answer did nothing to alleviate my stress but to confuse me a little bit more. Actually, I really do not want to take the Toefl. There are several things for me to prepare even without the test. SAT subject test (I am going to apply for other universities in a case)…etc.
Here is the situation
I am the U.S. citizenship, born in Albany, NY. But I moved to South Korea with my family 6 months old. The time I returned to the U.S. was 2 years ago as sophomore. Even though my ninth grade was in South Korea, the rest grades are in the U.S.
Also, I took ACT, SAT, and AP Composition as well. In ACT 26 on English, 33 on Reading. In New SAT 650 on Reading. 3 on AP Composition test. While I took ESL one year (It was mandatory. At the end of that year, I just passed California High School graduation test so that I could take AP Composition next year)
Their answer is it:
Based on the information you provided it appears we would consider waiving the TOEFL requirement. We will complete a review of your file with you submit your application. If it is determine your English does not meet the minimum requirement, but you are still admissible, you most likely would be admitted to the Semi-Intensive English program. The Semi-Intensive English program requires you to complete one English course your first semeseter.
If you are a US citizen and educated overseas in English, schools generally don’t require you to take the Toefl.
It was probably a mistake for you to have even raised the issue with the college.
thanks! but my 9th grade was in Korea, in other words, I was not educated in English.
TOEFL means Test of English as a foreign language, so unless for you English is indeed a foreign language, there is no need to take it. In our case I have 4 children, 2 of them went to college before we became US citizen and they were required to do the TOEFL even so English was their primary language. The 2 youngest became US Citizen years before they entered in College and the TOEFL was not required. In all the 4 cases they speak, write and comprehend English language as a regular US citizen.
How did you ended to this dilemma, being a US citizen the Toefl question could not be even asked…
Citizenship cannot be used to determine English proficiency. But your test scores show good English skills.
UMD response indicates that they would waive the TOEFL requirement for you. So you don’t have to take it. But your should take it if you can afford the test fee. You may need it for other colleges. Each college has different requirements. Some colleges require a minimum of 4 years HS English in a native English speaking country.