(The following paragraphs describe the TOEFL policy followed by Jefferson State Community College. Please consult with the International Advisor at any other college to see how that particular school implements its TOEFL policy. However, the Jefferson State policy is very typical of American colleges and universities, so most schools will have a policy that is very similar to the one described below.)

1. If you are a citizen of any country where English is not the presumed principal language of the vast majority of the inhabitants, you will be required to take the TOEFL unless you qualify for an exemption as indicated below:
• Jefferson State waives the TOEFL requirement for students from the following countries: Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ireland, Liberia, South Africa, and Nevis-St. Kitt's.
• Another exception to the TOEFL requirement is that graduates of accredited American high schools are exempt from the TOEFL requirement. This exemption usually applies to exchange students who have completed their secondary school work in the U.S. at a properly accredited high school. There are also a number of properly accredited American schools located outside the U.S. (For example, Rift Valley Academy in Kenya is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.)
• Another exemption is available to students who are transferring into Jefferson State from another college or university inside the U.S. If such a transfer student has already passed the Freshman Composition course (Eng 101) with a C or better, then the student is exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
• You may have been studying and speaking English ever since you started school, but -- unless exempted -- you must present satisfactory marks on the TOEFL before you can be admitted to most American colleges and universities.

2. There are two different versions of the TOEFL. The older version is a "paper and pencil" test; the newer version is a computer-based test. The satisfactory score on the old test is 500 or higher. (Some colleges require higher scores than 500, but a score of 500 is adequate for most undergraduate work.) The satisfactory score on the computer-based test is 173 or higher. Before attempting to sit for the TOEFL, please review the official TOEFL study materials and the many study guides for English as a Second Language.
3. Unless you are exempt from the TOEFL requirement, Jefferson State will not issue your form I-20 until a satisfactory TOEFL score is on file at Jefferson State. Jefferson State does not issue I-20's to students until the TOEFL score is on file!
4. Caution! Be careful about any school which does not require the TOEFL as part of its admissions requirements for international students. Often such schools are not properly accredited.
5. If your TOEFL score is unsatisfactory, you cannot be admitted to Jefferson State. There are, however, some properly accredited U.S. schools which are authorized by INS to admit students for intensive English language training. The nearest such school to Jefferson State is Gadsden State Community College, located about an hour's drive north of Birmingham. Gadsden State's phone number is (256-549-8324) and their fax number is (256-549-8344). You can contact the Gadsden State International Student Advisor by e-mail at: rcrider@gadsdenst.cc.al.us