low TOEFL score

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low TOEFL score

by Olivia-111 » Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:31 pm
Dear Stacy,

I apply in the last round. I've just known that my Toefl score is only 85 (ibt). It was my first Toefl experience and, unfortunately, there is no time to retest because posting of scores takes to much time in ETS procedures. So, this my score is lower than minimum required for Cornell (min. 100 ibt) and UCLA (min. 87 ibt, ..poor 2 points :( )

I wonder if there are a sense and a way to apply to these schools in my case, taking into account that I seem to be a strong candidate according to all other their admission criteria and can well explain my late round application and low Toefl score :).

Please advise,
Thank You kindly!
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by Lisa Anderson » Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:19 pm
Dear Olivia,

Unfortunately, you are in a bad spot with your TOEFL score. Schools generally will not admit folks who do not meet the minimum score as the minimum is set by the university. In order to secure a student visa, you would need to be above the stated minimum score. Rarely a school might admit a student that is below the minimum, but that is extremely rare and usually requires the student to arrive months in advance to take English classes and retake the TOEFL scoring above the minimum before he/she can enroll in business school. In your case, I think you need to either contact the school about delaying your application, apply next year, or apply where your TOEFL is high enough.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by Olivia-111 » Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:43 pm
Thank You for advice, Lisa!

Could You say please, in case I retake TOEFL but scores are still not posted till deadline, is it possible to submit an application leaving blank "score fields", only informing adcom of the date, when Toefl was taken?

Thanks again for Your help!

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by Lisa Anderson » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:06 am
Leaving information blank on your application is something you will want to clarify with each of your schools. Schools will have some variance on how they prefer you address your situation.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by Olivia-111 » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:08 am
Thank You kindly!