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DISCUSSION FORUM

• Tofel Waiver From: Dhiraj Suprit Mishra  Feb 03, 2011 Posts 16

  hey there, i am a prospective student from India i have English as a compulsory paper for 12 years at schooling even during my engineering (4 years) degree the medium of communication is English can get a TOFEL waiver. Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: Fanaticalfan  Feb 03, 2011 Posts 1,159

  In reply to

  Dhiraj, If you have a Bachelors or Masters degree from a university where the language of instruction was English, then you qualify for a TOEFL waiver. There is a tick box in the application where you can claim the waiver on this basis. FF Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: Firas.Maad  Feb 22, 2011 Posts 5

  In reply to

  Hello FF,    I have a follow up question regrading the TOEFL waiver.  If I tick the TOEFL waiver box, can I still I report my TOEFL score? or is it an EITHER/OR situation?    Thanks in advance  Firas  Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: vmlee  Feb 22, 2011 Posts 108

  In reply to

  You can still report your TOEFL score. I am not sure why you would tick the waiver box if you would report your score, though (presumably you only submit if your TOEFL score is strong and would benefit your application). -Victor WG '11 Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: Firas.Maad  Feb 22, 2011 Posts 5

  In reply to

  Thanks Victor,  Actually my TOEFL score is good but am not sure if its as good as it should be, slightly lower than last years average.  What about the optional essay, do I have to use it to justify the TOEFL waiver? although i initially wanted to use the optional essay to address other areas, like academic suspension. So can I address both issues in the optional essay? or is it advisable that i stick to one topic? please advise me.    Thanks again.  Firas  Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: victormlee  Feb 22, 2011 Posts 2,553

  In reply to

  Firas, You can discuss both in the optional essay.  It might be nice to give  in your optional essay a brief explanation of why you are requesting the waiver. -Victor Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: Fanaticalfan  Feb 23, 2011 Posts 1,159

  In reply to

  I don't think it is wrong to do both. But if it were me, I would lean towards choosing one or the other, for a couple of reasons. First, you want to demonstrate confidence in your English skills - if despite qualifying for a waiver you appear anxious enough about your English skills that you feel the need to supply a TOEFL as well, then that nervousness may spread to the reader of your application as well. Also, it suggests doubts about understanding of the definition of the word 'waiver'. There is no reason why you can't (BRIEFLY) discuss more than one issue in the optional essay. But if you are claiming a waiver on the basis of an English language degree, just tick the check box - this is something that is so straightforward as to not require an explanation. FF PS. No personal attack intended in the above, just how it may look to the reader. And of course it is much better to ask questions in a forum like this beforehand, than to find out after the event. Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: Firas.Maad  Feb 23, 2011 Posts 5

  In reply to

  Victor and FF Thank you so much. You have given me some valuable advices.  Well FF, I totally get your point and I understand your concerns. It was never a confidence issue really, but it was about the "know-how". I thought the optional essay is rigid and inflexible, but as you said its better to ask questions now than later.  Thanks.   Reply

• Re: Tofel Waiver From: victormlee  Feb 23, 2011 Posts 2,553

  In reply to

  The format of the optional essay is very flexible. I would view it less as an "essay" and more as a section that allows you to address issues that you think would be of substantive concern. The optional essay also provides AdCom with some insight into your ability to make strategic and sound judgments regarding what material might be appropriate to include and what is not. Regards, Victor Reply