Competitive Disability Friendly Colleges

drumminggeek87
Wed, 25 Jul 2018 01:36:57 +0000

Again, thanks so much for the advice. I’ve been trying to figure out the snow situation and it’s good to hear information about how you can handle it and the ways that it can’t really be handled. I don’t know either of your situations, but one of the options I have seen is the “wheelblade” add-ons for a manual chair. Do either of you have experience with those?

And the info about Northeastern, UIUC, and Pitt will definitely make me look at them. Regarding the academic courseload, my most recent courseloads have each been around 4 and 5 courses, with 1 AP, 2 college level, and 2 regular this past semester; 1 AP, 2 honors, and 1 college level this summer; and 3 AP plus 2 college level this coming year. My main concerns with workload are, first of all, quarter systems like Northwestern and Stanford, as I know those can be more intense, and second, ensuring that if something does go wrong, that I can get the help that I need. I’ve maintained this courseload for the most part, but I’ve obviously done a thousand times better with it when I have understanding teachers and administrators who are helpful if I have one small flare and need an extension (only happened twice this last semester, and just a day long extension), or if a larger emergency causes serious issues with getting work done. The larger emergency has happened once throughout all of high school (freshman year), and so I’m not anticipating one, but obviously want to ensure that whatever school I’m at is prepared for that if it happens. I’ve also definitely looked at schools like Northwestern and NYU because of their AP policies, which would mean I could do a much lighter courseload if for one quarter/semester if needed, and never have to do an extra quarter or semester.

Money with a reduced courseload is definitely an issue, and was another one of the reasons I looked at Harvard. I read that their financial aid extends into additional terms if you need them for medical reasons. I’m planning to reach out to schools for more specific information in the next couple of weeks on what they say they’ll provide accommodations-wise (although I know this can differ from what they will actually provide), and the financial aid question is definitely one I will ask. However, do either of you know how common or uncommon this policy is? I know Harvard has a LOT of money, so I’m assuming it’s uncommon.

Finally, regarding reaching out to disability services in advance of application and acceptance, how much information would you expect a school to give? I had reached out to USC with one quick question early in June, and they basically refused to answer my questions over email until I was accepted next April. They said if I met with them in person they would answer, which isn’t an option currently because I don’t live in California, or that they would talk to me over the phone, but I’ve certainly had issues with a lack of paper trail in high school when one accommodation was promised in person but not given and denied in an email. Is this a fairly standard practice, or should I be concerned?