crazygirl9999

McDaniel College does not have my major which is journalism and that college is very far away from my home. Also, it is a private college. Very hard for me to afford. I live close to the Washington DC Area. I live close to the Washington DC/Maryland border.

found1

My son went to Landmark for a summer program prior to his Junior year and it was not a good fit for him. He has learning differences, though I wouldn't classify them as severe - slower processing, working memory, ADD - no hyperactivity. He came away from the program more adamant that he didn't want to participate in any discussion having to do with learning differences We were told by the administration that he would find others like him, but many of the students had more severe learning differences. He did make some good friends, but he didn't really learn anything about himself, and more importantly, the program didn't enhance his academic skills or his organizational skills, which is why we sent him. We were disappointed with the academic program. We felt there was little rigor - especially in the writing class. Our son said there was no real motivation to do the assignments as nothing was graded. We were not impressed with the work he was asked to do nor with the teacher's comments. And, there was little feedback at the end of a very expensive three week class. In our estimation, it wasn't worth the money.

MomOfDaughter

Thanks for posting your son's experiences in the Landmark summer program. Your son sounds similar to my son. My son is going into 10th and i was thinking of sending him next summer ut now i'm having second thoughts. I would really like to send him to some knd of academic prep program, thugh. The ones for typical kids seem like they would be too much for him. It's kind of a dilemma when you have a mild LD. My son has problems with working memory, processing speed, organization. I want him to develop better habits to compensate.

Any other ideas out there? We live in Massachusetts.

Amy1030

My son sounds extremely similar to your daughter, but he is only a junior in high school. I was thinking small, liberal arts college for him due to his interests and so that someone would notice if he didn't show up to class. He currently has trouble getting to school on time and struggles organizationally. He is insisting that he attend a 4-year college out of town but I'm not sure we can afford the necessary support: someone to make sure he gets his meds and gets to class (plus organizational support and the usual LD supports--extra time, small group testing, etc.) Of course, he may make the necessary developmental leap by his senior year but we want a plan of action in case he doesn't. Anyone have any advice?

mathmomvt

I don't have any advice, but I'm in the same boat with you Amy and MofD. My S is also a junior in HS. We worry about him managing his own time (getting to class, getting assignments in on time, etc.) What kinds of supports are offered for ADHD kids will definitely be a factor in his college choice. He gets good grades in HS but I worry about him when the rubber hits the road in a more challenging college program, which is what he says he wants.

1esther

let me know 1esther

StacJip

Found1, did your son attend Landmark College summer program or Landmark High School? It is important to distinguish between the two. I have known several very bright kids who have gone off to Landmark College for a semester or summer and who have then gone on to do very well in college.

Momofdaughter,
I have a son whose LDs are not minor. He suffers from very poor short term memory and a slow processing speed. We live in eastern MA. What helped my son immensely was getting a cognitive psychologist to work with our son to teach our son techniques for learning despite his cognitive profile. The results were dramatic. Our son went from being unable to learn to being able to excel in any subject he chose to master.

In our case we were fortunate to find a young cognitive doctor who was being trained at McLean Hospital. He is no longer there but the Children's Evaluation Unit there has other doctors like him who are getting similar training in how to work with kids who need specific cognitive training.

On a separate note my son is an entering Junior at Wheaton College in Norton MA. I have nothing but praise for Wheaton and it is very LD friendly. The year my son entered they even had a special orientation for kids who might need student services. The professors my son has had have been wonderful and very willing to provide my son with accommodations. There are other bright kids with LDs there so your student does not have to feel isolated in their experience.

lookingforafit

My son visited Curry College 3 times and loved everything about it. We met with PAL discussed his learning deficits and talked to his guidance counselor about Curry.. Everyone felt Curry was a good fit for my son and his ADHD and language based deficits. Curry College gave us false hope. What they do not tell you is that they are selective on a students testing. They are looking for students with learning deficits that are average to above average.. in 2 categories of my son's testing he was low average to average. When I questioned to ask why he didn't get in the woman was rude, unprofessional and uncaring. She basically said they could not help my son and suggested he go straight into the work force.. To say the least I was taken back by her remark.

We also went to Dean College, met many professors and spoke with admissions. Each time we went to Dean my son was recognized by admissions. My son went to a college fair and the admissions counselor recognized him and knew his name, it had been a year since he saw him. My son will be going to Dean College with a large scholarship. Dean recognizes students with promise. I know Dean College faculty and staff will know my son as a person.. Curry was very disappointing, they are more a business and not a place where students can show what they have and who they are.. In our visits to Curry many times with the same people they did not once recognize my son.. even though he is disappointed I think he is making the right choice for Dean. I would suggest parents who check out Curry College see the school for what it is, giving false hope to students who struggle but are intelligent.

New Gamecock Mom

My junior son has CAPD (central auditory processing deficit) and has been classified since the third grade. I know he needs a college with a strong LD program but my concern is his stats: 2.7 GPA and a 700 PSAT math/verbal score. Will he even get into any of these schools? It seems everyone else i read about has either high GPA/low test score or low GPA/high test score. Anyone with a similar situation?

glopop11

My D has very low processing speed and similar GPA and test scores. She was admitted to Landmark, Dean College and a few other small NE colleges . She just completed her first semester at Landmark and did very well, taking 9 credits plus a non-credit writing class. She said the amount of work required in her classes was enormous.

She had attended the high school summer program at Landmark. There is a big difference between the academics for the high school program and the actual college. The high school program is focused on organizational skills, study habits, dorm living and introducing assistive technology. It is part "school" and part summer camp. It was a great experience for my D who had never really been away from home.

FWIW, we both fell in love with Dean College but they did not provide enough financial aid for her to attend.

wayne2000

There are two colleges that I know of that are good for students with LD in Ohio. Mount. St. Joseph & Muskingum University. You can read more on Mt. St. Joseph at Success for College Students with Disabilities or on the following link college focus mount st joseph - Success for College Students with Disabilities