That pesky little question

<p>Is English my first language?</p>

<p>Well, technically, no, since I was born in China and lived there for six years before coming to the U.S. Therefore, speaking technically, Chinese was my first language.</p>

<p>But if I answer “no” on the supplement, I have to take the TOEFL. I’m sure it’s unnecessary because English is now my primary language. I got an 800 on the CR section and 760 on Writing. The other schools I’m applying to have a more specific policy where, if you get a certain score on the CR section, you don’t have to submit the TOEFL.</p>

<p>My parents say that the question really means what my primary language is. My dad says that since I’ve been taught in English for my whole life (well, except kindergarten) and barely could write Chinese, English counts as my first language.</p>

<p>Does anyone know if BU’s policy is flexible? Should I say “no” without submitting a TOEFL score and risk having my application rejected? Should I just say “yes” to save myself the trouble of taking the TOEFL?</p>

<p>Oh, and I should mention that I talk about my childhood somewhere in my essay, so if I answer no, I was wondering if I’d be lying.</p>

<p>well you could say that while you lived in china your parents spoke to you in both english and chinese, so english would be your first language. my first word was french, so i could say english was my second language, but i think i did ok on my application. dont make more work for yourself, you shouldnt have any problems if you saw english was your first language.</p>

<p>Why don't you ask someone in admissions at BU?</p>

<p>I asked my parents first, and my dad's forbidden me to ask through email or phone. Or to even consult my counselor. He thinks that asking will just complicate things.</p>

<p>I'm trying to see if anyone else has encountered this dilemma and how they handled it.</p>

<p>I think you're dad's right. If you call, the some administrator will follow the book and send you down the road of excessive red tape. The whole purpose of the question is to see if you can communicate in english at a college level- yes u can.</p>

<p>BTW if you're worried you might "get busted" for not technically telling the truth, you won't. Insist that your parents taught you english + chinese simultaneously after you were born. Even that they taught you English first, if that's what i comes to. "i don't why, it's odd i guess, but that's what happened ty" (there's no proof w-t-f you're parents did in China invovling ur upbringing)</p>

<p>Anway I doubt there's any chance at all that it'll come to a confrontation, or that anyone (From BU, great school btw) will give any inconvience for your answer. just put for 'english first?' --- YES</p>

<p>English was definitely not my first language. I lived in a foreign country for 10 years or so and moved to US. I had 800 CR & 780 writing and did not have to take the TOEFL. I never asked them if I should take it or not, but I just gave them my SAT scores and I had no problem with it :)</p>

<p>Asking will not complicate things; it will simplify them. Admissions isn't looking to create problems for applicants. And the people are nice.</p>