<p>My son and his friend (whom I tutor) are perfectly bilingual. They attend international schools where the language of instruction is English. One is a U.S. citizen, the other isn’t. After very successful interviews, both kids were told by the admission officers at one school that they should take the TOEFL test, not because they need to but, because their TOEFL scores would give them an edge.</p>
<p>We’ll certainly send the TOEFL scores to that school. With other schools, I wonder if there is any downside to sending unsolicited TOEFL scores. Would it label them as non-native speakers when that is not the case?</p>
<p>The only downside I can think of would be if there were some area that one or the other that that were weak in their English skills. And even with that, it just says that they need some extra help during transition, not ESL type courses. If they get near (if not) perfect scores, it can only benefit the students.</p>
<p>I think schools like having students from abroad that can mix easily into the native English speaking culture. That is where the true benefits of their diverse backgrounds can have impact on a school.</p>
<p>That makes a lot of sense. I think both kids should do very well unless the new computer-based system really throws them off. Thanks, goaliedad!</p>