learning disability..how do you disclose it in your apps?

eastcoastmomma
Wed, 28 May 2008 09:31:38 +0000

loveyouu,
Your question is one that our family wrestled with last year at this time. My son was identified with a learning disability in high school. Once he received accommodations, his GPA with honors and AP classes shot from a 3.0 to a 3.8.
On college visits, he always scheduled time at the campus Disability Services Office. Because of his late identification, he wants to utilize support services and wanted to make sure the Disability Services Office was a place he was comfortable. He decided not to apply to schools where the offices were located away from the center of campus, or in cramped basements, with staff he didn’t feel comfortable with.
After searching for the answer to your question and seeking guidance from many admissions people across the country, it was a very personal decision for him. Some admissions counselors told him that when they read an application that discloses a learning disability they will contact the campus Disability Office to make sure the student can be supported.
He decided to disclose his learning disability in an essay. Not the main essay, but in an additional personal statement. All of his applications asked if he wanted to add anything that wasn’t covered in the application. It was a short essay 150/200 words. If he couldn’t attach it to his application he did on line, he put it in the package that the guidance counselor sent out. The main reason he did it was he wanted to put the issue on the table. My son felt that if the college was uncomfortable with his learning disability that maybe it wasn’t the right place for him. He is comfortable with it and wanted to know that the college would be too.
He had a successful application process and was accepted to his top choice school. He did his college research based on majors, visited campuses, talked with admissions counselors and Disability Services Offices. It was a personal choice for him and he felt comfortable with how he approached it.
We all can give you advice from our personal experiences, but this decision is a very individual one, one only you can make. I wish you all the best.