<p>I realize some international students go to the US for their high school careers. No need to say that these applicants (in the case they apply to American universities) have probably greater aptitude to take the TOEFL than others who are in the same category (internationals; English as a second language) but have never lived in the US.</p>
<p>Is anything in this context taken into consideration while comparing international applicants?</p>
<p>Sandro, easy, breathe.</p>
<p>You submitted your app, and did everything possible. Now you just need to wait for March. Whatever the answer to your question, it still wouldn’t change anything. It’s done now.
So slow down, and rest. You’ve earned it.</p>
<p>As for the question I’d say anything around 100+ is a competitive score. </p>
<p>But scores aren’t really THAT important - they just show your ability to communicate in English and solve math and science problems at MIT. Your overall fit is the most important thing.</p>
<p>Hope I helped,</p>
<p>All the best,
David.</p>
<p>Specifically speaking for MIT, a minimum of 90 is required with a score of 100 being recommended (I’m talking about TOEFL iBT which is Internet-based, there’s also a paper-based TOEFL running in some countries but most countries have iBT now). This holds true of other top-notch universities as well, most consider this score range.</p>
<p>It usually doesn’t matter whether an international in US takes a TOEFL or not, I’m an international and I took both SAT and TOEFL, but they’re not my only tests since I studied through British curriculum and I gave GCE A-Levels as well.</p>
<p>Also what David said above is really true. It’s not just the scores, its the overall fit you’ll be bringing to MIT, so best of luck to all of us (yes I’m an applicant to MIT as well).</p>
<p>I really appreciate your attention answering my question, David.</p>
<p>In fact, I am not feeling uneasy for having such doubt; I believe I have done everything within my reach to strengthen my application, thus I maintain the decision will come down to decide whether I fit MIT or not.</p>
<p>My question here goes mainly as an attempt to fill a loophole in my college admissions knowledge base; that is, fulfill the will to know more about it.</p>
<p>Once again, thank you for your attention.</p>
<p>Thank you for your input, mortaza101. Since international applicants are supposed to select one test between the SAT I and the TOEFL, the fact that a TOEFL score might serve to evaluate academic performance of applicants brought me this one idea that (for aforementioned possible reasons) there isn’t a common starting line for the evaluation of all intl’ applicantions with the score of the same test.</p>
<p>I think it’s fair to say we treat the TOEFL as a bar that must be hurdled. If you clear a 90, we know that you can handle English well enough to do classes at MIT. As long as we’re confident on your ability to handle the English language enough to succeed here (i.e., clear a 90), we’re going to be fine with it, and not compare apples to oranges. </p>
<p>In other words - clear a 90, and don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Chris, I’ve once heard from MIT (through e-mail) that if an international applicant sent both SAT I and TOEFL score, only “the highest score” would be taken into consideration. Along these lines, one can understand that the TOEFL will, in fact, be used to distinguish applicants. </p>
<p>Notwithstanding, your statement is clearly the most reasonable one for taking into account the multifarious backgrounds of international applicants.</p>
<p>That’s a reasonable, but inaccurate, interpretation of that statement. For example, suppose you scored very low on the SAT I, but above 90 on the TOEFL; we only care about clearing 90 on the TOEFL. </p>
<p>I suppose it is theoretically possible to score high on the SAT I but low on the TOEFL too…though I’ve never seen it happen. </p>
<p>Point is: 90 is the mark you need to clear. If you can hit 100 more the better. But if a student can meet or exceed 90 on the TOEFL, it is not going to be their TOEFL performance which prevents them from being accepted to MIT.</p>
<p>Chris, thank you for clearing that up. It sounds much more logical to me now that I have a more thorough explanation of the use of TOEFL scores.</p>
<p>My query is over.</p>
<p>Hi guys
I’m an international student wishing to apply RD to MIT.
I am facing the same dilemma.
I have a 2020 in my SAT and a 101 in my TOEFL iBT.
Which score should I send?</p>
<p>Your TOEFL is fine. That’s all you need to send.</p>