TOEFL / GRE Requirement

[yogib]

Hello everyone

 

I have a doubt. I am from India and I already have a Masters Degree from Australia now moving on to US to do Ph.D

 

University said i don't need to do any English exams like TOEFL as i have done a masters degree in an English Speaking country.

 

Do i still need to write the exams for F1 Visa ?? will it affect the decision if i don't take those exams??

 

Any info or suggestions would help

 

Thanks

 

Cheers

[jairichi]

You need a TOEFL and GRE score. Though TOEFL is exempted in certain cases based on individual circumstances a GRE is a must.

[JoeF]

Is that a public university or a privae one?

I do know that at least the public universities in CA only waive the TOEFL if the person went to high school in an English-speaking country.

GRE is always required for graduate studies.

[livliv]

What does your I-20 say about English requirements?

[yogib]

thanks for the reply everyone....i got admission offer letter....that is not the issue...from the uni point of view all set...

 

i just need to know about F1....because with the offer i have now i dont need to write any exams.

 

i just dont know that if i go to F1 interview without TOEFL / GRE would that be a problem?? will they use that as a reason to decline??

[jairichi]

thanks for the reply everyone....i got admission offer letter....that is not the issue...from the uni point of view all set...

 

Well, in most cases this is the real issue. A university not asking for TOEFL or GRE score is a red flag. There are lots of shady institutions that give admission without a TOEFL or GRE score and you need to stay away from them. VO might ask you for your scores. If unsatisfied visa application will be rejected.

[JoeF]

No real university would admit anybody to a graduate program without GRE scores.

The only exceptions are universities that have stronger requirements, e.g., MIT, which has it's own, much harder entrance exam for their Computer Science graduate program.

If the university is not at that level and doesn't require the GRE, then they are a not a real university, they would be fake.

[livliv]

A school that does not require GRE/TOEFL is generally a shady school, so yes, that can be a problem for F1. But if it is waiver for a legitimate reason and school is top-notch that will not be a problem.

 

English language is a requirement for F1 Visa and how you satisfy that requirement will be noted on your I-20. That's what the consular officer will look at. So check your I-20 (when you get it from your school).