Get your TOEFL done in the first few weeks of Final Year(ideally within first 10 days as it takes a month for the result). Its fees is only 150 $ and with TOEFL, you can apply to many institutions like NIH where there is no fees for electives. Moreover where TOEFL is a requirement by most of the US universities including NIH, Northwestern etc all the others specifically prefer international students with TOEFL e.g Yales, Harvard, Vermont, Mount Sinai etc. Having a score of above 22 in reading, learning, writing and 26 in speaking (total=90) is considered a good one.
- All the prep is done from Barron's Book for TOEFL with CD of practice tests. It takes hardly 2-3 days to study for it. Moreover you can visit the following link for details regarding data available online.
- To apply for TOEFL click on the following link and for futher information click on the following link.
-
TOEFL is not a bad deal for 150 $. Hundreds of dollars are spent in application fees and thousands of dollars in tuition fees and if you spend mere 150 $ for TOEFL it increases your chances tremendously. Moreover it opens many new good new places for you that have no fees(see below).
Following universities require or prefer toefl
-
NIH(requires TOEFL)
Wisconsin(requires TOEFL)
Northwestern(requires TOEFL)
Uni of Massachusettes(requires TOEFL)
Uni of Cincinnati(requires TOEFL)
Vermont(requires TOEFL)
TUFTS(requires TOEFL)
-
Yales(prefers TOEFL)
Harvard(prefers TOEFL)
Moreover there are many more universities that prefers TOEFL. I strongly recommend giving TOEFL as soon as possible for everyone going for electives.
- The more score you get in TOEFL, the better it is....they have no cut off value, usually anything above 90 is very good and above 100 is considered exceptional....but make sure you score evenly good in all 4 aspects...rather than being at the top in 3 and at the bottom in any 1....that is try to score in late 20s out of 30 in all the 4 sections of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
scored 112 in toefl ibt but
depends upon where you plan
depends upon where you plan to apply....in places like NIH, Yale...this score won't help but in some places like Northwestern... it might... you can apply with this score at some places like Northwestern and later mail them your new improved score... and apply in places like NIH when you have a better score fulfiling their criteria....tc and best of luck!
Hello Umar, I scored 94, is
Hello Umar,
I scored 94, is it ok? 22 reading, all others 24. The main problem is I got my score online on 18 th of AUG (view order-->view scores), but have not yet my reports. How we are supposed to send our scores to universities??? northwestern requires us to send report through ETS directly, but what about other universities like Yale??? Yale people told me send the original document. What should I do its delaying my application, already delayed by month (my TOEFL exam was postponed due to some server problems)
In case the university does
In case the university does not have a code, you send a photocopy to them e.g places like NIH, Yale etc... as u mentioned in Northwestern, TUFTS etc, u give the code to ETS and request them to send it for u...tc and best of luck!
i havent recieved my toefl
i havent recieved my toefl score sheet yet... got my result on around 17th aug..... i ordered two score sheets to NW and NIH on 27th aug.... hope they hv reached them atleast by now.... my all other applications are getting delayed because of this score sheet... TOEFL ppl r so freaking cheap... can't they send us scores by a better faster mail service... if they want, they could just add tht amount to test fee
well usually it takes around
well usually it takes around 14-21 days... as they post it via US Regular mail service.... tc and best of luck!
@anusha
Anusha,
It all depends on which universities do you plan to apply. However, it is a low score for the best universities and even for the middle level. So, if you wish to enrol in a good one, I suggest that you re-take the test. Here is a good web site for TOEFL Practice Online.
Success!!!
@anusha well northwestern
@anusha
well northwestern requires a min of 84 with 24 in speaking..so congrats u fit in their criteria n shud definitely apply!!all da best
@abhishek
even m waiting for my score card...got onlyn score on 11th sept..
i am applyin to yale w/o score card..will enter the score on the application form..with my ets id..i mailed the EC..he was lik ya u can do that..if they hv nay doubt htey can verify using the reg id na from ets ppl...
Toefl Scores card delivery sucks
i passed on 30th may, i waited for my score report for 6 weeks but i didnt reach me.
i emailed them and they said they had resent it, but gaian after 6 weeks it didnt reach me. same happened with a friend from my city who sat the exam with me.
Eventually i had to change my home address in ETS to my relative in USA and again ordered candidate score report at 17$ to that address. he then scanned n sent it to me. 'Thanks'
MY SUGGESTION:
if u have any reliable relative/friend then give their address in the ETS website as your own and let the score reach them. when they get it ask them to scan it properly n send it to you or ask them to speedpost it to u in Ind/Pak. It takes 2 weeks for domestic delivery in USA n 4-6 weeks for international delivery. Plus the ETS guys send it by normal mail, and u know the condition of them in India. no guarantee that u'll have them.
So if u receive it in USA u save 2-4 weeks in time and a guarantee of sure delivery.
thank you for the tip medsid
thank you for the tip medsid
i wish u wud hv come up with it before my toefl exam..even i am waiting for my score card delivery since 3 weeks:(if i change my address to one in US, now it wl cost addl 17$ ryt?
the good thing is that the
the good thing is that the ETS can resend only one additional score report to you for 'FREE'.
so my advice my to you is to wait for one more week and then complain about not receiving it.
when they get your complain, they'll resend the additional free score report to you. but before complaining do try to change your address in the ETS to the US one, so that when they mail again, they'll use that address.
best wishes.
nice contribution medisid!
nice contribution medisid! keep posting! I have added ur posts on the updated info... tc n best of luck!
97 IN TOEFL
HI,,
I HAVE GOT 97 IN TOEFL
R 28 L18 W 28 S 23
I HAVE APPLIED IN YALE N WEILL.WHAT R MY CHANCES
KINDLY GUIDE
good one! u r eligible for
good one! u r eligible for all universities except NIH... tc n best of luck!
Hello Umar and friends, I
Hello Umar and friends,
I got 106 (29 30 22 25) in toefl .. the problem is i got only 22 in speaking.. and i want to apply in NIH.which has 26 in speaking in requirement.. should i give it a try by first contacting them by email, may be i can convince them abt my speaking capabilities by talking wid him on phone.. or should i take toefl again.. i m planning to go for electives in march april and may 2010..
U can try emailing your
U can try emailing your request! best of luck for it.
BUT my friend with a similar scenario (speaking 24) asked them whether they will entertain his application. the elective co-ordinator declined saying that minimum 26 in speaking is a must.
best wishes.
Arjun, one of my friends
Arjun, one of my friends also had a similar experience... medisid thanks a lot for answering the query.... tc n best of luck!
thank u umarbhai and medisid
thank u umarbhai and medisid for replying my query.. i think i will skip applying in nih.. thanks..
nih electives
hi,
i'm thru my toefl and want to apply for the nih for elective now.
However i found we need sum referral from sum prof for tht...is tht a referral from a us prof...?? if yes, can any1 temme how we can get tht...
thnx a zillion...
LOR system for NIH
Dear pritish!
U need to list 2 referees in the NIH form. they have to be from your home institution. u have to list their email address and contact phone #(though they never call to confirm!). One shud be your DEAN of home medical school.; Second you can give any faculty with whom u are confortable and who would be comfortable in sending your LOR through email. The NIH will send automated emails requesting LOR-4-U to the two listed email address and your referees will be each given a login id and password for NIH site to submit the LOR for you. They have to login at the URL and write LOR in *.txt in the provided text box at the site. So better have the LOR matter in notepad format(not scanned n signed) for your referees to use while submitting. Since this process is pretty unusua, make sure your dean n faculty understand what is to be done.
Best Wishes!
thanks a lot medisid for
thanks a lot medisid for answering this query in detail and appropriately...
hi radha m not sure...
hi radha
m not sure... probably Northwestern...probably u should try giving it again....
NIH elective
wnated to know what exactly are v supposed to fill out in section 5 (coursework and grades) of the NIH online application. is it our academic record till date that they are asking for??
As far as I remember, you
As far as I remember, you have to fill your transcript there but u can confirm it from Vicki(NIH elective co-ordinator)
Thanx Bhai!
Bhai thnx for ur wishes!!... u hav been d only reason why i am aware of wat electives is!..
bhai regardin application to NIH, did u mail ur malprac copy, transcript, health record at the time of online application or after u got an acceptance???
hopin to hear from u soon... god bless u!
urgent help for NIH elective!
i have filled the online application for NIH elective. I mentioned my toefl score of 114 in the same. dey are asking for a copy of my toefl score report to verify the same. is it the hard copy dat dey are askin for or can v take a printout of online report to mail them/send them a soft copy thru e-mail???? plz help guys!
u can send ur saved
u can send ur saved TOEFL profile webpage showing ur score to their e-mail, or mail its printout. dont wait for the official report, its unreliable n u'l get late. u can further suggest they they ccan verify it by calling TOEFL adminstration using your biographical information
Thanx fertile!
Thanx a lot fertile for answering my query!
Lookin forward to ur valuable help in the future 2! all d best!
NIH elective
congrats.
send a soft copy/scanned version/TOEFL website result saved copy(i did this) to Vicki(NIH co-ordinator) as toefl score.
My personal advice if u r applying to NIH.
1. Dont give endo as choice. it is acrap rotation as there is negligible interaction with attendings and they dont give LORs on the basis of 1 month elective rotation.
2. Cards is good, good interaction with the incharge attending.
3. sickle cell is good, good interaction plus the attending/depratment works also as an internist managing any complications os sickle cell patients. Any prev regd sickle pts always come here, even if for gout, biliary colic etc.(as they have to rule out crises). So one gets to learn internal medicine too on this rotation. All the attendings are cool are happy to give LORs.
4. I have heard here that Infexs Dz is also good, but very competitive. elective spots are single each month for visiting fellows, residents, med students included. But their rounds are good.
5. As for hemat, Umar bhai had mentioned previously. I will add my tuppence later. Rest will follow.
Best Wishes & Pass it on!
Hi medisid! im going for
Hi medisid!
im going for hematology elective at NIH in april.Umar said its quite a good one!
I wanted to ask you about the LOR...when do v get it?imeediately after v r done or sometime later when v r applying for residensy.please let me know.
Thanks,
Praveena
Thanks medisid!
Hey dude...
Thnx a million for the reply n d valuable input u gave me regarding choosing the elective!! U n Umar bhai dunno hw much u guys hav helpd me..
A query again! NIH application says dat v hav 2 send a transcript copy, malprac, immunizatn records etc.... r v supposed to send them nw itself or after our online application is processed??
rite now i have sent 1) completed applicatn 2) 2 lors - 1 from dean n other from faculty 3) toefl report
is der anythin els i need to send rite nw???
I have been accepted there, I
I have been accepted there, I sent all the req docu health-mal insur-immuniztion-TOEFL-web print out, n others that you can think of dat can effect ur appli positively like i had step1. always try to restrict all ur docu to 1 place (mail OR e-mail-use dere combination if only as per dere inquiry some of ur docu are missing.) and avoid scattering ! even though they do not specifically ask for other than transcript to be mailed. send it unified if added docu is a req according to the website.
if u do so, ur materials r alright, u r in time, they vil respond to u within at most 25 days from reciept-and ~10 days frm ur appi processing has begun(wen u no longer wud be able to log online)- just to e-mail you an acceptance letter.
gud luck, ur TOEFL score is highly competitive, u have a good chance of acceptance!
hey, great info
hey, great info this....wanted to ask if u kno anyone who did an elective in cardiology at NIH?. how was theire experience nd did u manage to get any LOR(s) nd how many?...im planning to apply soon for july,2011...i hope its not too competitive in that month....nd is there any chance of rescheduling the elective after being accepted?
Thanks in advance :)
hey. i applied to med schools
U Mass Electives
Dear Umar Bhai Salaam...
Are we not eligible for electives at U Mass. I have seen on their site that only those colleges which have an exchange programme with U Mass can apply.
Please guide me regarding the same.
Dua wa salaam...
Aarif
If they say the ONLY accept
minus toefl , minus step 1
1. please tell me the colleges which dont require both ..
2. colleges which require toefl , but not step1 .. thanks .
toefl score
hello umar bhai
I wanted to know that i have scored low in toefl exam 60..should i give exam once more or leave it.
plz reply me bhai.
Hi Annu It will be best for
Hi Annu
It will be best for you to prepare well and take the test again. Thats the advice if you have time in hand. However if you are at a loss of time and want to apply for electives as soon as possible, try looking for universities which dont require TOEFL, or if they do require TOEFL request them to give you a waiver by giving you a telephonic interview. Many will oblige.
All the best
-Viraat
As viraat mentioned it
score validity
hey, this is a great site - the amount of info present here is realllyyyyyy helpful...great work umar bhai nd co
i had some questions... i gave the TOEFL in 2004 and got 280 out of 300 (the computer based test) and NIH says that they need 220 or more in the computer based test...so is it valid? cuz the ETS says its only valid for 2 years....
this is an extract from the NIH application:
If you are currently enrolled in or attending a school that is not 1) an LCME-accredited medical school in the United States or Canada, or 2) an accredited school of osteopathic medicine in the United States, or 3) a CODA/ADA-accredited dental school in the United States, then you must provide evidence of proficiency in communication skills either in the form of a TOEFL score or a documented passing grade on the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills Exam. For the TOEFL examination, the minimally acceptable scores are as follows:
a) minimum total score of 560 on the paper-based test
b) minimum total score of 220 on the computer-based test
c) minimum total score of 86 on the iBT with a minimal score of 26 on the speaking subsection.
Thanks in advance
Anas
Thanks for your kind words...
hey i emailed Vicki at NIH
hey i emailed Vicki at NIH and she confirmed that they will accpet this score so i am eligible to apply :) ...has anyone applied to any of their surgery-related programs?neurosurgery or surgical onlcology?... i plan to try for a general residency match so if i were to get an elective position in general suregery at some other uni like yale, uni of rochester, how would this elective at NIH compare to that? i mean shud i rather opt for the general surgery elective....NIH is very well respected and has an advantage of not having any fees....plz do advise me on this...
regards
NIH is great, simply
hey...cn any1 tel wat documnt
only passport for TOEFL in India, Bangladesh n Pakistan
Dude ONLY PASSPORT is valid for TOEFL in d countries mentioned above.. the bulletin of TOEFL mentions other document at first but read further n u'll find this state ment
hope that helps!
cheers
dr_andy
i got 82 in toefl.r
regarding toefl score
| Test | Test Date | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing | Total |
| TELXML | September 12, 2010 | 27 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 95 |
hi tis is my score.can u tel me is it good or bad.what should i do.pls help.i nd to apply for elective within a few days
it is ok but total is good
please help me
Hope you are doing good. Actually the first time I took TOEFL exam and my score got 64 ( reading 17, listening 15, speaking 18 and writing 14).
Then I did my best to retake TOEFL exam and I studied hardly for almost 1 month. I remember when I come back from test center I was satisfied with my exam and I was thinking my score will be more than 81. after 2 weeks I got my score and my result got 61 (reading 14, listening 12, speaking 19 and writing 14). What happen to my scores. I was thinking may be my score has replaced with someone else . Please help me what should I do? I? am so unhappy,,,,I would like to complain to ETS,,,what should I do
Thanks a lot
I dont think you can do
hi i got my toefl scores
reading-27,speaking 23 listening 17 writing 21 total 88.
in which college can i apply??
I am not sure.. You cannot
NIH application
First, I'd like to thank you and everyone here for their excellent inputs on the subject of electives!
I have a few questions:
1) I scored 116 on the TOEFL iBT (R-30, L-28, S-28, W-30). I intend to apply for a cardiology elective in February or March. Its already nearing the end of October, 2010. Do I have a chance to get it?
2) I have my TOEFL score sheet scanned and ready to be sent to NIH via email. But they haven't specified an email id to which I may send my scanned report copy. Can you please help me find it?!
3) Do I have to send my official transcript along with the application, or after I am accepted for the elective?
Please help!
@sahil
plz apply asap dude... considering the popularity of NIH, ur chances are very slim especially in cards - say abt 1%... but not impossible.. and as umar bhai says...dun give up hope... its jus my opinion as for a cards in april 2011 i applied as early as feb 2010..
i'll be happy if u get thru!
send a scanned copy of ur TOEFL report to Ms. Vicki Malick's id..
nd yes application as u know is online while transcript has 2 b sent by postal mail to NIH..All d best!!
i needed some advice too on
i needed some advice too on the NIH application....i applied during the last week of sept for July2011 in cardiology....nd i sent my transcript nd toefl score (got the two online LORs sent too) nd it was confiremd by Ms Malick on Octobr 8th that she recieved them but said she needed an extra letter from my dean regarding the completion of my core clerkships, nd i quickly sent that nd recieved a msg from the courier service that it was succesfully received at NIH on Oct 14...i emailed Ms Malick to tell her that ive sent that letter she requested...but she hhasnt replied since.... how can i knoe that my appication is complete now nd is being considred by the departments there?nd how long b4 i hear from them regarding their decision?...plz do help me nd advice me on wat i shud do...thanks
Try giving her a call... she
Thanks Andy! That would
That would definitely help!
Er, I guess putting one of the three precious choices at stake for something you have only a whisker of a chance to get would not be right!
Also, can you please help me regarding the NIH critical care medicine, IM consult service and Pediatric consult service electives? I need to revise my application!
And, a friend of mine called up at NIH, and they say that I could fax my TOEFL score report... But can't I just email a scanned copy?!
And I can't really thank you guys enough! You are doing a brilliant job!
Regards.
send it via e-mail and also a
Thanks for your kind
1. Give it a try asap!
2. Mail them a photocopy along with your transcripts otherwise you can email it to their elective co-ordinator.
3. You have to send it before acceptance.
@salil
I e-mailed a scanned copy of my online report to Ms. Malick and she accepted it!
N sory dude, I have no idea of any of the specialties that u are trying to mention in the revised application!... I was a first timer lyk u wen i applied...i mentioned cards, hem-onc n endo in dat order...
by god's grace I got my 1st choice!
all d best..
dr_andy
I really need an answre
thx
Thanks for your kind words.
need some info and thx alot for all of u
hello everybody
its really a great website
i just wanna ask which elective in NIH that is more easily to get?like rise my chance to be accepted ??
and if my application is completed ..when should i expect to get the answer??
thx
Thanks for your kind words.
Depends, your TOEFL score is
Depends, your TOEFL score is good enough to get you in NIH and Northwestern!
If you have time, you can give it again. Take your time for the preparation esp of reading & listening and try to get good total score.hi my toefl score is
how can we send score directly to north western univ from ets.org site???
You login with your ets
Not good enough for NIH. It
Not good enough for NIH. It needs a minimum score of around 94 or 96. Check with the latest criteria.
hey... Thanks a lot for so
Can u plz tell me if i have an option of choosing those 4 universities, to which toefl guys would send my scores for free, after registering for the exam...???
Thanks
Toefl score
My Toefl score is 99.
Reading -24, Listening- 24, Speaking- 24 and Writing- 28.
Is it good enough? Should I give it again?
hey! ur score is good enuf
NAME ON TOEFL SCORE CARD
Hello Umar Bhai, your website
My toefl score is 108 with 26 in speaking and above 25 in other sections..I want to do my electives around feb 2012..Can you please tell me when is the ideal time to apply as they say its better not to apply before 6 months..Are there any univs that need me to hurry right now??
Also is feb-march an ideal elective timing for an IMG??
Thank you in advance :)
help me out.. i gave my toefl
i gave my toefl on 5th june i got my score as below
79 reading 20 writting 21 speaking 20 listening 18
i know it s bit low , can ne1 guide me wat to do??..should i apply to any university?...which are the ubiversities who can accept me for electives..should i go for repeat??
hey! i think its better if
are there places that I may
are there places that I may not be able to apply for clerkships, based on my toefl score of 108
20 reading :( ! 29 - listening & speaking and 30 writing
hi my toefl score is 92, 26
my toefl score is 92, 26 in reading and listening,22 speaking and 18 in writing. should i write it again or should start applying as soon as possible.i have also given step 1 with 231 score
It's better to write it again
Hi Dr. Umar, Your site is a
Hi Dr. Umar,
Your site is a blessing for those who do not have a lot of guidance for electives. You and all those who have contributed to the site are doing a fabulous job of helping USMLE aspirants from Pakistan and India.
I always to become a Hematologist/Oncologist. I initially wanted to apply for Oncology but I came to know that NIH accepts only LCME students for Medical Oncology.
So I've applied to Hematology. I have a TOEFL score of 116 (R-30, L-29,S-30 and W-27), a good CV(with a short-term project in Hem/Onc) and good grades. But I am very apprehensive about Hemat being very competitive. What should I do? Should I go for it or apply some place less competitive. I am applying for March 2012(Hemat).
Regards,
Abhishek
Thanks for your kind words; I
NIH electives
How are you all? Ok i am planning to apply in NIH electives for Surgical Oncology and Neurosurgery!
Can anyone please provide me information about how is surgical oncology and neurosurgery programs? Are they really competitve?
I am planning to go for electives from march - june 2012. Should I apply now?
also my toefl is 112 - r30,w29,s27,l26. That is good enough right?
Also all my four years, I have been getting above 75% marks
Also please gudie me about core clerkship. Ms Malick said I should send grade for core clerkships? those clerkships...should I send a letter from dean stating that I have completed all those clerkships. Our transcripts do contain our clinical experience and there they mention the clinical experience. so what should i do?
thanks for the read
Best,
Ahmed
Yes they are quite
Toefl scores.Please suggest
Hi umar bhai.I had a lot of trouble due to the disturbance in the ets toefl exam center.Whatever the reason may be, i got a very low score.Please advise me what to do now?My USMLE step 1 is scheduled in december.My would graduate in August 2012.I planned to apply for electives now using my toefl scores(for 4 weeks during jan to aug 2012)
I am ready to take the test again but,It may interfere with my USMLE step 1 preperation.I am afraid of that.Please suggest me whether i woulg get any electives with this score?what to do now?
| Test | Test Date | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing | Total |
| TELXML | Sun Jul 31 10:06:04 EDT 2011 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 28 | 91 |
you can either re-take the
TOEFL paper based test -NIH
Dear Umar
I got 573 in paper based test, does it consider a good score to apply for NIH?
Low TOEFL score please help...
I secured 85 with R-23, L-18, S-22, W-22. Are these scores competitive enough for applying electives, moreover my step 1 score is 251.Please help its already getting late for me to apply.
reguarding applying for electives on the basis of toefl score o
should i retake the exam??i am left with less time now,sir please give your sugestion?
hi i scored a 95 in my
hi
i scored a 95 in my toefl
reading-25 listening-23 speaking-23 writing-24
is it a good enough score to get into yale or brown ?
toefl score
hi umar bhai,
i really need ur help.....!!!!!!
i've given my toefl recently and my scores are..R20 L18 S26 W25.. total...89
pls give me ur advice bhai....... whether i should retake the test or apply for univ as i'm even short of time to retake it..
ur advice would really help me a lot bhai.....pls do reply me asap.........plssss
regarding toefl score
I secured 85 in TOEFL reading-22,listening-20,speaking-20,writing-20 would it be ok if I apply with this score or try once again for the better score?Its already getting late for me to apply.