Applying to College with a Learning Disability

The first question for many parents and students alike is, “Do I, or don’t I reveal my LD to the college admissions office?”

The answer: YES!

Now, let me tell you how….

THE DISCUSSION

Your K-12 LD accommodations are governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A. - for full text click here). This is legislation focused on the successful completion of high school graduation requirements. Your districts’ responsibility to meet the recommendations of your I.E.P. (Individualized Education Program) is regulated by this document.

While colleges do offer a wide array of accommodations for students with LDs, I.D.E.A. does not extend to higher education. College offices for learning disabled students are focused on students understanding and utilizing the entire scope of resources available to them. However, they are powerless to aid students unless students self-advocate for their needs first.

Therefore, a serious discussion must take place between you, your parents, and your school counselor concerning your progress through high school. Review your accommodations; which resources have you consistently used resulting in positive and successful work? Furthermore, which resources do you believe you need to continue that success at the next level, college? After having this conversation you are ready to speak in more detail to admissions counselors in regards to their college’s resources.

THE SEARCH

Notifying admissions of your LD provides those who review your application with a clearer picture of your academic experiences. After being accepted, some families release the students 504 Plan and achievement tests for review. After confirming with an institution, it is left to the college students to contact the LD office and requested accommodations. Examples of accommodations offered at many colleges are extended time, note takers, and read instructions/questions, to name a few.
Although resource rooms may not be an option, understanding your need for access to faculty members and other academic support services can be intricate to your search.

For example, at Siena where the average class size is 21, professors are readily accessible in class or during office hours. Siena offers students support at our Counseling Office, Tutoring Services, and our student-run Writing Center. These are universal services available to all students, but can be particularly helpful to students needing an encouraging mentor or extra help.

Public versus Private

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No, I’m not talking about displays of affection. I’m talking about college options!




As you conduct your search, you realize you have a lot to figure out. Small vs. big, liberal arts vs. technical, suburban vs. urban vs. rural, your list of options looks like the March Madness NCAA bracket. Where is the ESPN commentary of college admissions?

Mary Buckheit, a 2002 Siena grad and writer for ESPN Page 2, breaks down public versus private in her comparison of Ohio State and Siena before their first round match-up in March of 2009. Choosing a college could be simple if you only had two choices; double overtime or your point guard shooting to win at the buzzer.

We know there are more choices when searching for the college that best fits you. While compiling your list, look at both public and private institutions. Read the mission statement of the college and underline the words that are important to you. Then ask the college officials how those words in the mission are put into action for the undergraduate student.

If reading mission statements for all of the colleges you plan on applying to seems daunting, then try this route:

Since private and public colleges offer many similar experiences, asking these basic questions will help you discover their differences:

What is your student/faculty ratio and average class size for my major and for core classes? How many of your faculty members teach full-time?

Why? Smaller faculty/student ratios and smaller classes lead to an engaged undergraduate experience. Faculty members know your name and recognize your potential. Full-time teachers at institutions are ready for your questions and are eager to push you; their student. There are endless stories of undergraduates publishing work, taking classes abroad and presenting at conferences with faculty mentors. These relationships and experiences add depth to your resume and increase networking opportunities.

Siena’s answers:
Student/Faculty ratio: 14:1
Average class size for all: 21
Full-time faculty: 178 with 93% holding the highest degree in their field

What is your freshmen retention rate? What is your four-year graduation rate? What is your job/professional school placement after graduation?

Why? Freshmen retention essentially means the percentage of first-year students who enjoyed their experience and are psyched to come back for year two. Graduation rates offer a way to measure students’ success. The students enjoyed their four years and the classes offered and they graduated on time. You don’t want to be a super senior. Lastly, what they are doing after graduation tell us they were prepared for success.

Siena’s answers:
Freshmen retention rate: 87%
Four-year graduation rate: 73%
Job/Graduate school placement: 98%

What is the most active club on campus? What is the second most active? Do you find the students living on campus for their four years?

Why? College is about developing the whole person – academically, socially, spiritually and professionally. You are in the classroom about 15 hours a week. If college is a 40-hour work week, you have 25 hours of unfilled time, not to mention the nights and weekends. That’s a lot of time that needs to be filled with studying, writing papers, listening to speakers, volunteering, joining clubs, planning and attending school events and just hanging out. It’s also a lot of time to learn life lessons outside of the classroom, to figure out what is important to you, and to push yourself to exceed your potential. If you’re at a place that does not challenge you academically or socially, or a place you just don’t like, it’s a lot of wasted time and money.

Siena’s answers:
Most active: Dog Pound – our student cheering section for the basketball games
Second most active: Habitat for Humanity
On-campus residents: 78%

The point is, you don’t have to just rely on the NCAA brackets for your college search. Remember, whether public or private, the only right college is the college that best fits your ability and personality. These questions allow you to navigate the college search and find out if the character of the college best matches your own.