Puertorican students applying to grad school in the Mainland DO NOT need to take the TOEFL as evidence of English proficiency. Why? 1) You aren't an international student, you are a US citizen, & 2) ES & EN are BOTH official languages. 1/n

If asked, 1) refer them to poster/oral presentations at conferences, like SACNAS & ABRCMS, 2) bring up summer research experiences in the States (you have been evaluated in EN previously), 3) ask your mentors to endorse you via letters of recommendation. 2/n

If the program still "need" proof of your EN competency, you are being discriminated against & they *need* to be held accountable for it. They cannot enforce this requirement & by doing so they perpetuate racist/classist gatekeepers that limit access to your education. 3/n

If you are a grad program & you are worried about the success of a Puertorican student in your program because of a "language barrier", ask the question with the intention of supporting their transition instead. 4/n

"Thanks for considering our program, we are excited to receive your app. We have had PR students before & part of their edu was in ES. If needed, we have options for additional exposure to EN in order to facilitate the transition! Let us know how can we be if support" /fin