NYU and TOEFL requirement. Really?

[mphplease]

This is my first post on here. I am sorry that it is a rant

I want to apply to the Community and International Health concentration at NYU but the TOEFL requirement is hindering me.
1. I am Nigerian. The official language is English, so I speak good 'anglais'.
2. My native language is Yoruba but I don't even know how to say jack in Yoruba
3. I go to a top liberal arts college in the US and the mode of instruction is obviously english

NYU states that a non-US citizen with a native langauge other than English has to take the TOEFL. I don't want to because I know that I do not need to. I have called them twice and they are bent on their decision not to waive the TOEFL req. My GRE score was 740Q 540V. Not the best but it should be good enough for NYU

Ridiculous
1. NYU is the only program that requires TOEFL and I am not ready to spend $250 on an exam because of one program.
2. I really want to go to school in NYC though. Womp!!! They just lost an applicant

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[Bravia]

Don't think NYU is the only program that requires TOEFL. Where did you get that information?

 

[JMM051]

I'm with Bravia...I would check with the other institutions you are interested in. I think most require the TOEFL. Good luck!

 

[twizzler86]

$250 for what NYU tuition and rent in NYC are going to cost anyway is a drop in the bucket.

 

[anteater1]

Yikes! Just wondering... are you a permanent resident or here on a visa?

 

[mphplease]

Thanks for the responses. NYU is the only program that I am applying to and requires TOEFL. I got a waiver from other program because I go to college in America.

I am on a F-1 visa for international students.

$250 is definitely incomparable to what MPH is going to cost but I hope to get a merit award from NYU when I apply.

Can I claim the official language of my country as my native language?!?

 

[vespa]

I think you should find out if they are asking about the native language of your ethnic group or your first language. I suspect it's the latter, in which case I don't think TOEFL is required.

 

[mystal]

I don't see why you can't just say English is your native language.

 

[CarobPudding]

I don't see why you can't just say English is your native language.

That's definitely unreasonable. I think most schools don't require the TOEFL for applicants who complete a bachelor's degree in the U.S. I agree with mystal--why not list English as your native language? It makes a lot of sense, especially since you can't say jack in Yoruba. Another option (if space allows) is to list both English as Yoruba as your native languages.

 

[Wickel]

I have never heard of an institution requiring an applicant receiving there degree from a college or university where courses are taught in English to take the exam. I am Cameroonian myself and my native language is French, which I'm fluent in. But I also have dual citizenship, hence why I have not run into this issue myself. I would call back and re-emphasize your points.

 

[Jamiefrances]

That's definitely unreasonable. I think most schools don't require the TOEFL for applicants who complete a bachelor's degree in the U.S. I agree with mystal--why not list English as your native language? It makes a lot of sense, especially since you can't say jack in Yoruba. Another option (if space allows) is to list both English as Yoruba as your native languages.

Yeah, I agree with this. I work in an admissions office as a student worker (I work with admissions checklist and requirements) and we waive the TOEFL for any student with a domestic Bachelors or Masters...

Every school requires a TOEFL, but maybe it's just NYU that's not waiving it even though you got your Bachelors here...That's very odd.

 

[mphplease]

In case y'all were wondering, I submitted my application and I claimed English as my native language. No complaint from NYU admissions yet.