One low subscore in TOEFL - should I retake? For e.g. NYU, Columbia, Duke, Cornell, Berkeley, Chicago, Yale and Upenn


Dear all,



I took the Toefl two times and got the score 111 both times. However, my writing score was 24 and 22. I stress that this subscore will make a negative impact on my LLM applications to e.g. Columbia law, Duke law, Cornell law, Berkeley law, Chicago law, Yale law etc.



Although I have a fairly high overall score, do you think it necessary that I retake the test to get a higher subscore? (These schools do not have subscore requirement, except Columbia, which I meet.)



Thanks!!

[Edited by LLMstudenttt on Sep 11, 2021]

Dear all, <br>
<br>
I took the Toefl two times and got the score 111 both times. However, my writing score was 24 and 22. I stress that this subscore will make a negative impact on my LLM applications to e.g. Columbia law, Duke law, Cornell law, Berkeley law, Chicago law, Yale law etc. <br>
<br>
Although I have a fairly high overall score, do you think it necessary that I retake the test to get a higher subscore? (These schools do not have subscore requirement, except Columbia, which I meet.) <br>
<br>
Thanks!!
quote

Columbia's minimum sub-score requirement for the Writing section is 24, so I suppose only your first TOEFL scores will meet that requirement. I don't think you need to re-take it if you have a score which meets all requirements. It does not seem like a higher TOEFL score necessarily affects your application chances.
That said, if your first degree is not in English or you come from a non English speaking country, you might want to compare your scores to those of other people from your university/ country who've been accepted to these schools.

Columbia's minimum sub-score requirement for the Writing section is 24, so I suppose only your first TOEFL scores will meet that requirement. I don't think you need to re-take it if you have a score which meets all requirements. It does not seem like a higher TOEFL score necessarily affects your application chances. <br>That said, if your first degree is not in English or you come from a non English speaking country, you might want to compare your scores to those of other people from your university/ country who've been accepted to these schools. <br>
quote
p

Hi, I am not a Columbia graduate or anything. Let's focus on what sub scores and what did you miss on your test. I'd say if you can retake the test once again, it will be great and you will have no worries. If the score does stay the same, you should move on to your application's component such as SOP for instance. Remember that there are other application's component which is essential for your admission. 

Hi, I am not a Columbia graduate or anything. Let's focus on what sub scores and what did you miss on your test. I'd say if you can retake the test once again, it will be great and you will have no worries. If the score does stay the same, you should move on to your application's component such as SOP for instance. Remember that there are other application's component which is essential for your admission.&nbsp;
quote
p

Hi, I am not a Columbia graduate or anything. Let's focus on what sub scores and what did you miss on your test. I'd say if you can retake the test once again, it will be great and you will have no worries. If the score does stay the same, you should move on to your application's component such as SOP for instance. Remember that there are other application's component which is essential for your admission. 

Hi, I am not a Columbia graduate or anything. Let's focus on what sub scores and what did you miss on your test. I'd say if you can retake the test once again, it will be great and you will have no worries. If the score does stay the same, you should move on to your application's component such as SOP for instance. Remember that there are other application's component which is essential for your admission.&nbsp;
quote
Fleron2

Hi, your score is already way above the passing score, so there is no worries for all the universities just requiring a global score. Also, sub score don't seem to have importance everywhere. I got accepted in Viriginia last year who had a toefl subscore I did not meet.
I agree with the post right above. good luck.

Hi, your score is already way above the passing score, so there is no worries for all the universities just requiring a global score. Also, sub score don't seem to have importance everywhere. I got accepted in Viriginia last year who had a toefl subscore I did not meet. <br>I agree with the post right above. good luck.<br>
quote

Thank you all for your responses! 

Thank you all for your responses!&nbsp;
quote

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