Universities that do not require TOEFL for admissions in the USA
Many international students choose USA as the destination of their higher education. One of the major hurdles to overcome for admission in a good American university is the TOEFL examination or the IELTS examination. Both of these standardized tests determine students’ English level by assessing their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. A satisfactory score in these tests is critically needed for minimum entry requirement for admission into most universities in the US.
As the education system differs across geographical boundaries, many international students come from non-English speaking backgrounds and have little training in the language and do not possess the level of proficiency in English to qualify these tests. As TOEFL/IELTS score is a mandatory requirement, many of these students find it tough to gain admission in an American university. So the moot question that international students struggle with is whether an IELTS/TOEFL score is necessary for admission in any university in the US.
If there is a problem there are solutions too. There are several universities in the USA that have relaxed the minimum English language requirement and such test scores are not compulsory so that eligible international students may enroll. In addition, there are some universities that allow students to enroll even without good TOEFL/IELTS results on the condition; they attended secondary school or/and graduate school with English as their medium of instruction, or if they completed few years of studies in an English speaking country. Further, some universities also grant admission to non-English speaking international students ‘conditionally’ i.e. only if they undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) which is a university preparatory program that trains the international students and equips them with the essential English skills.
Some of these universities that can help students get admission without requiring an IELTS or TOEFL score are below:
Rice University
If a student has received a degree from a university or college in which English is the official language of communication, TOEFL and IELTS are not necessary. Waver of such examinations may be requested by the admitting department if the department deems the student has sufficient English communication skills to be successful in their program.
California State University
CSU is a public university in California. TOEFL/IELTS score is not required to be produced by international students for getting admission to the University if they have attended secondary school or/and graduate school with English as their medium of instruction. Further, there are also a few countries for whose students they have waived the minimum English requirement.
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with campuses in Philadelphia and California. The University has two conditional admission programs i.e. University Preparation Summer Program (UPREP) and Bridge Program for international students who don’t meet the language requirement.
State University of New York
The State University of New York is a public university system in Albany, New York. The admission to international students is conditional i.e. the students must undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public research university based in Iowa City, Iowa. The University grants admission to international students who do not meet the English proficiency requirement but eligible otherwise.
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public research university located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Although TOEFL/IELTS scores are not needed for international students, they are required to undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
University of Dayton
The University is a private Roman Catholic National research university based in Dayton, Ohio. The admission to the eligible international students in the university is conditional; those who do not meet the university’s language requirement, they are required to undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is a public university located in Delaware. The university grants admission to international students who are eligible except for English proficiency but such admissions is limited to only in some graduate programs. Otherwise, the university follows Conditional Admission based on achieving English Proficiency (ELI-CAP)
University of New Orleans (UNO)
The University of New Orleans is a research-intensive public urban university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, US. The University conditionally admits international students pending successful completion of UNO Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
TOEFL and IELTS are quite important not only for admissions in the US universities but also to get a US Student Visa. It is, therefore recommended that aspiring students take these language tests as it will help to get a student visa.