Anyone have personal experience-son has Adhd, extremely bright (took Math 2 SAT subject test without studying and got 800, 35 on ACT one time he took it), 4.9w GPA but lacks executive functioning, not organized, can’t study for hours on end. Math/physics student but likes Econ, too. He’s thinking of Northwestern but I wonder if it’s too impersonal, classes too big, too much party culture. Would small school be better? Amherst? An Ivy? If too quiet, might not be good. Likes novelty. Suggestions?
My D21 has ADHD and is really bright with high stats as well. We’re looking at smaller colleges because we think she will fare better. Middlebury frequently ranks tops for students with learning differences/ADHD. Amherst is also really strong in this area. Best of luck!
@GoldPenn When you say Middlebury ranks tops, is there an actual list?
@GoldPenn how do you know Amherst does well in this area?
Here are a couple of links:
https://www.collegeconsensus.com/rankings/best-colleges-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/
https://www.sparkadmissions.com/blog/the-best-colleges-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/
As for Amherst, I spoke with their accessibility office and they put me in touch with two current students who receive accommodations.
I noticed Amherst is flexible compared to many LACs. For example, their COVID plan reduced course load from 4 to 3 (graduation requirements have been adjusted) and they increased the number of pass/fail options a student can use.
Amherst belongs to an organization called ‘Ahead’ that offers a huge variety of disability resources. In addition, their mental health services are offered free of charge.
Middlebury seems to have taken it a step further by training their faculty on various learning differences and how to accommodate those differences. I’ve yet to speak with their accessibility office but it’s on my list.
I’ve found some pretty big differences in how colleges approach this. Some have accessibility pages that basically say that per the ADA they will accommodate students, while others are much more positive and welcoming. Btw, Princeton has an amazing new accessibility center and they’re making some great strides. Anyway, I’m far from an expert but it’s what I’ve learned in researching colleges for my twice exceptional kid. Hope this helps.
Because of my son’s executive function weakness, he struggles with some aspects of ordinary life/school life. We thought having a small school would mean less to navigate. (School bureaucracy would be tough for him). He ended up at Oxford Emory for his 1st 2 years (1,000 students) and then they all move to the main Emory campus. Covid intervened, but this strategy worked for my son. Btw, he did better in college than hs – he’s older, but there’s less busy work etc.
Oxford Emory isn’t for everyone – it’s very quiet – but it’s a great transition to a bigger school.
We also looked at Colorado College because of its block plan.
All the schools being mentioned are reaches, it would be good to focus on sommatch and safety schools as well.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253203.How_to_Become_a_Straight_A_Student
I am very familiar with Adhd. He seems to be doing well. This book goes over strategies. It’s an easy, fast enjoyable read with lots of good strategies.
Any school large or small he can be successful at but you know him the best.
Do you have more specific suggestions if he ends up at a larger school?
Take a look at Northeastern’s LDP program, it is an additional fee but the student meets with a dedicated learning specialist twice a week. The work with ADHD as well as learning differences. RIT has a similar program as well.