Will I have to take the TOEFL as an admission requirement?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I've been reading up on admission and application rules on some college websites, and I've come across some references to the TOEFL (the English proficiency test) as an admission requirement for students whose first or native language is not English. The direct quote from the Boston University website is
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"English is the language of instruction at Boston University. You must be able to understand rapid, idiomatic English and express yourself clearly in speech and writing. If your first language or the primary language spoken in your home is not English, you must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)."

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<p>I was born in Russia and learned Russian first. I moved to the US at the age of 6 and have been living and attending school here for ten years. Though I speak Russian at home with my parents, I am completely fluent in English (and this is clear in the rest of my application- essays, honors/AP English courses, a 740 SAT CR). However, Russian is still the first language I learned and the language I speak at home. Does this mean I will still have to take the TOEFL? Should I contact each of the schools I'm applying to and see their specific requirements when it comes to this?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’m pretty sure you don’t have to take it because of your high SAT score, but I’d talk to an admissions officer just in case. </p>

<p>“If your first language or the primary language spoken in your home is not English, you must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).”</p>

<p>That’s kinda stupid. I mostly speak a different language at home, but English is and has always been my first language.</p>

3

<p>You have been in English language schools for 10 years. I don’t know of a single college or university in the US that will not waive the TOEFL requirement in your case. If you are really concerned, pick up the telephone and call BU and ask them about this.</p>

4

<p>I think they meant your “home country”. It’s the requirement for foreign students but if you’ve attended high school or college in the US (college level classes, not ESL) then TOEFL/IELTS is useless.</p>