TOEFL Requirement... but I can't afford it...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>English was not my first language, so if I want to go to CMU, I am required by CMU to take the TOEFL exam. I had an interview with an admissions counselor and he told me that without the TOEFL, it is like "an automatic rejection", so at that time, I sincerely told him I would get it done.</p>

<p>But after some research, I found out that the TOEFL was $175, and even with a fee reduction waiver, (which covers half of the fee, or something similar), I still am unable to afford it. </p>

<p>Yes . . . my family's income is low. I take the SAT and ACT for free (much thanks to the fee waivers), so what can I do? :( I would really like to attend CMU- or at least have a good chance for admission... but I can't afford to take the TOEFL . . .</p>

2

<p>Perhaps you can ask your school for some aid?</p>

3

<p>this might be a rare case but my first language is technically not english either</p>

<p>but i did attend US high school (4 years) and I did not take toefl. I took SAT only and got in and am currently attending. </p>

<p>on the application comment section i said I lived in US long enough to not take toefl (which i think is 5 years?)</p>

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<p>CC_0214: That is very reassuring… may I ask what year you are?</p>

5

<p>I’m pretty sure the standing tradition is that if English is not your first language and you are not completely fluent or you’re living abroad, you need to take the TOEFL. But if English isn’t your first language and you’ve been living in the US for a while (since you were a kid or whatever), you’re exempt, or at least no one is going to bother you about taking the TOEFL.</p>

6

<p>I’m a sophomore now.
And yes completelykate is correct. TOEFL is more for ppl who are not comfortable using english as first language and for those who want to clarify that english is their second language. Im sure if you do well enough on SAT, they wont even bother asking for your toefl score. From what i understand, toefl was for the applicant, not the colleges. Since it is unfair for ESL students to complete with native students in SAT verbal and writing, TOEFL is used to gauge the applicant’s fluency of the english language.</p>