<p>so my friend is a US citizen, but goes to an international school in Asia,
should that person apply as an international student and take the TOEFL
or should he just apply like a normal student??</p>
<p>Is your friend a native speaker of English or did he attend a secondary school where English was the primary language of instruction? Congratulations, he does not need to take the TOEFL :)</p>
<p>Some colleges would define your friend as an international applicant but that does not have any further consequences because the application process for international applicants is the same as for domestic ones. He should just pay attention to which forms are for all applicants, which ones are for American citizens and permanent residents only (e.g. the FAFSA) and which ones are for applicants seeking a visa only (e.g. the Certification of Finances).</p>
<p>There is no formal declaration process at most schools. You do not declare yourself an international applicant, you just apply. At most schools there isn't a difference between international and domestic. Where there is (often at the top schools), they rely on your citizenship status to determine whether you are a domestic or international student, and there isn't any other way to declare yourself one thing or the other.</p>