College and the LD Student
Learning Disabilities and the College Application Process
With an estimated 15% of the U.S. population diagnosed with a learning disability, there are more LD students attending college now than ever before, and the numbers will continue to grow. While these students go through the same application process as all other students, they must also carefully consider the breadth and variety of support services offered by the schools to which they apply. Sherri Maxman is constantly contacting and meeting with academic support personnel at colleges and universities to determine their levels of support and whether or not they might be a good fit for your student.
Many students with diagnosed learning disabilities have received specialized support services throughout their grade school years. When these students graduate and continue on to college, those learning disabilities continue right along with them. Therefore, these students will need similar support in college in order to be academically successful.
Sherri Maxman can address and help with many of the questions LD students and their parents have about the college application process, including:
- Is there a list of “best schools” for LD students?
- What if my SAT/ACT scores are low because I am a poor standardized test taker?
- How do we find out if a college can give my child the same kinds of academic support that s/he received in high school?
- What kind of documentation will my child need in order to get support at the college level?
- Do colleges do testing for learning disabilities?
- How is the process of getting accommodations different in college than it was in high school?
- Do I need to identify myself as LD on my college applications?
- Will I need to fill out a separate application if I need accommodations in college?
- Should I use my LD as a topic in a college essay?
- Do colleges ever allow course substitutions or waivers for LD students?
- What is the best way for me to ask for help/support once I am in college?