Learning Disabilities & The College Process

 

Most colleges, large and small, public and private offer some type of assistance to students with learning disabilities.  The amount of support can vary greatly from school to school so it is important to contact the college to find out exactly what they will offer.  Many schools offer the support through their student assistance centers.

 

In order to receive certain services (i.e. extended time, alternate testing environment, etc.) schools may require documentation of a disability.  Usually testing should be current within the past three years.  In some cases an IEP is sufficient; however, some schools may require additional testing or documentation.  It is important to note that documentation SHOULD NOT be sent with a student’s application.  In all cases the documentation should be sent to the student service or assistance centers and in most cases this should be done after acceptance is offered.  In some cases an admissions counselor may ask for the information directly.

Although it is a family’s choice to disclose a disability during the admissions process, it may help account for certain discrepancies in a student’s transcript.  Although students will not be asked about a disability on an application, they can disclose it through the essay or short answer part of the application.  Additionally, a student can speak with their counselor about disclosing the disability in the guidance recommendation.  A few of the reasons a student may choose to disclose a documented disability are:

A student has received resource support in high school;

A student has not taken a foreign language;

 A student is applying to a specific learning support program within a college or university;

A student is applying to a Massachusetts state school with below a 3.0 GPA and less than a 950 (critical reading and math) on the SAT Reasoning test.  

Once enrolled in a college, it is the student’s responsibility (not college or parents) to advocate for him/herself and seek assistance.  The student will be responsible for notifying his/her professors.  Having additional assistance does not ensure successful completion of courses and students will be held to the same standard to successfully complete course requirements as other students.

 

Colleges & Universities with Learning Disability Programs

and

SAT Optional Policies

Curry College- Milton, MA
Dean College- Franklin, MA 
Johnson & Wales University- Providence, RI
Lyndon State College- Lyndonville, VT
Mitchell College- New London, CT 
Newbury College- Brookline, MA 
New England College- Henniker, NH 

 

Colleges & Universities with Learning Disability Programs

that Require SAT’s

American International College- Springfield, MA
Landmark College- Putney, VT 
Lesley University- Cambridge, MA
Mt. Ida College- Newton, MA 

Massachusetts state colleges and universities will waive certain admissions requirements depending on a student's disability and required accommodations.  Please speak with your counselor for more information.