Should I Disclose Learning Differences on the College Application?
Jared Hobson February 6, 2023 No Comments
Disclose Learning Differences on College Application…or Not? Nearly every week a student or two will ask me if they should
Disclose Learning Differences on College Application…or Not? Nearly every week a student or two will ask me if they should
If you are a junior, what should you be thinking about regarding the college admissions process? Currently, you should be coming up with a standardized testing plan.
LD services available at Dean College
To receive accommodations at the post-secondary level, documentation must demonstrate that your student has a disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504. Today’s blog outlines six core elements to help you review your current documentation.
Colleges typically use your student’s age, the evaluator’s assessment approach, and the level of detail provided in the last eligibility evaluation to determine the level of support she will receive at the college level.
Today’s post outlines the steps for applying for an accommodated SAT or ACT test.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a learning disability, you may want to consider requesting special accommodations when you take the SAT or ACT. Depending on your learning disability, accommodations could include extended time to complete the test, testing over multiple days, access to an audio DVD, or a specific seating arrangement. Students with ADHD, for example, may be able to take the test with extended time in a room with fewer students. There’s no additional charge to complete an accommodated test, and because college admissions committees don’t know when tests were taken under modified circumstances, you shouldn’t hesitate to request accommodations if you need them.
The PAL Program, the Program for Advancement of Learning, is a structured support program that provides assistance to LD students in a proactive, strength-based environment and access to assistive technologies.
At the post secondary level, the sole purpose of accommodations is to give your student the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of course curriculum by minimizing or even eliminating the impact of a disability. The bottom line? Be proactive in knowing where to go and what services are available.
For families of students with learning differences, one really important step in determining if a college is the fight fit is contacting the Disability Services Office. Initially, this relationship will center around documentation.
Given that self-advocacy is equated with success, establishing a positive relationship with a college or university needs to be a top priority. So, over the next couple of days, I’ll talk about how to go about establishing a relationship with the Office of Disability Services.
Even if you decide not to initially disclose your learning disability on a college application, there are important reasons to disclose it once you’ve been accepted.