How good are my chances?

[IsraeliKitten]

So yeah, here's what I am:

I'm an Israeli undergrad (History/English Studies double major), GPA 3.3.

I've taken one of those simulation GRE's and got 660 Verbal and 650 Quantitative.

I will take the real GRE later this year.

Now, two questions for you guys:

1. I hear most American unis have straight-to-Ph.D. programs available. Would it be possible for me to be accepted to one of those? What kind of mark do I need?

2. Is it possible - given I speak English on a mother-tongue level - to avoid taking the TOEFL?

[vitasta]

hello kitten.....really depends on what programme you wish to apply to?

Avoid taking TOEFL: Mmmmm....well if all your undergraduate courses have been in English, then I guess you can build a case.

[CalmLogic]

2. Is it possible - given I speak English on a mother-tongue level - to avoid taking the TOEFL?

You would need to check with each department or graduate school that you are applying to. Some departments do have exceptions such as if one received instruction from a university in which the primary language was English or if the student is from a certain country.