S24 also deciding between DU and UCI, UCSC, UCSD. Has ASD/ADHD, and is very strong academically but I think he will need support to thrive.
We are also still exploring the ND support at the UCs, but I think DU is the better fit for for him. He actually agrees, but UCs are the shiny new prize, so he wants to take a little time to think about it.
I’m really interested in what feedback others can provide regarding ND support at UCs.
Congratulations to your son for some enviable acceptances!! You’ve probably already checked out UC’s official statement on LD students and the links to departments at each campus here: Students with disabilities | UC Admissions
While I can’t provide you with information about our student’s experience at a UC, I will say that despite great luck with her UC applications, including most of the schools you mention, she opted to attend a small private college that has a fabulous disability service program/DSP.
This was not the primary reason she chose it, but she knew herself well as a student and that she would continue to excel in a small environment with both easy access to resources as well as greater opportunities to connect and shine. So far it’s been fantastic for her.
One note - she was accepted into UCSB’s CSS program, its small size and greater access to counseling made it very tempting, and likely a great fit for a LD student- this may be an option for your son as well. You can apply before entrance but also yearly thereafter.
But, I did want to respond to your last thought. I have always felt that my job as a parent of bright, neurodiverse kids was to help prepare them to have a satisfying, productive adult life. That did not mean going to the most prestigious schools to which they were admitted. In ShawSon’s case, I encouraged going to a top NESCAC school rather than Ivies and discouraged any school that glorified massive amounts of work (e.g., MIT).
Beyond thinking about their strengths (per my post above), I also worked with them to think about what kinds of careers they would like and we talked about kinds of jobs and incomes they could expect. Having a satisfying, productive adult life is not about maximizing income, but having a high enough income to be able to afford housing, comfortably raise kids makes life a lot easier. That came later for ShawSon but for ShawD, she switched to nursing after her first semester. She was admitted to a BSN/MSN program and I told her that she would be tired after the BSN but should go straight through as I though she would like being a nurse but would love being an NP. We did have talks while she was in school about choices that would affect her income.
Here are a couple program resource lists by state or college; they are usually an additional fee per semester and offer anything from academic coaching to therapy services depending on the program.