Going to College

The following are from interviews with reals students about choosing a college:

Lisa:

Take your time and research the college you’re going to, make sure you know what it’s about, take the time to visit the school, spend the night there if you can, spend a weekend there if you can, if you know people that go there already, ask their opinions on it.

Maria:

I was looking at their disability support services centers. Every time I went to visit I would go to the disability support services center to see how comfortable I felt with the staff, how helpful they seemed to be on that day, if they were willing to talk to me or not. I would definitely take a tour of … I took a tour of every campus that I applied to, just to see if I felt comfortable there. I also looked at what majors they offered, what my interests need, what the requirements were because I knew if there were a school that required that for some reason, I wouldn’t know why, I needed four years of a foreign language, that was a turn off to me due to my disability. So things like that, something … just a good feeling on the campus as well as the technical requirements to actually get the degree.

Manisha:

I also looked at the criteria of how the schools are ranked to help me pick which school I liked best for me. I did music so it was important to have a good music program, as well as strong programs in other aspects of the school because you never know when you have to take classes outside of your department and that’s important to know that you’re still getting a really good education outside of your department.

Andrea:

Cast a wide net, list all the schools you think you might want to go to and start there. And then … then you can start narrowing it down by reading more about it, contacting people at the university disability support services. I think it also can be really helpful to talk to other students at the university, even if you call disability support services and ask, do you have any student that’s affiliated with your office who might be willing to talk to someone who is considering the college, to give me a sense of what their experience has been like?

Manisha:

I also picked a school which happened to be located where my doctors are located, so for me that also helped instead of picking a different school because if I needed anything my doctors are right there, a couple of miles down.

Amy:

I knew going in that I wanted a school with smaller classes, when you got into your core classes, because I really enjoy learning but I’m a very interactive learner. So I wanted to be able to interact with the professors and ask the professors questions … and it was setting, I never thought I would end up at an urban school. I always thought I was gonna end up at a rural school with tons of trees and country and horses and dogs, because my family has a farm and I’ve just grown up with all the trees around me and everything. But when it came down to it, especially going in with an international focus, it came down to who has the most diverse student population.

College Choise - Learning Disabilities

Other important information

In addition to gathering general college information, as a student with a disability, you can also find out about the following...

* Waivers and substitutions: Are there written policies and procedures for course waivers and substitutions? If so, what kind of documentation is required?
* Course load and graduation time: Is priority registration available for students with disabilities? Is it possible to maintain a reduced course load?
* Student groups: Are there specific groups that are designed to assist students with disabilities to network with other students on campus? Are there student leadership/mentoring programs to help students feel connected with other students on campus?
* Supports services: What support services are available to all students? Does the campus have support services specifically for students with your disability?
* Orientation: Are there orientation sessions designed to address disability specific needs of students before entering college? Are these sessions primarily held during the summer, or at the beginning of each semester for new students?

For students with learning disabilities, consider reviewing the books Peterson’s Colleges with Programs for Students With Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders and The K & W Guide to Colleges for the Learning Disabled for additional information on support services and specialized programs.

Ready to Choose

Get equipped

There are many ways to get the information that you need to make this decision. You can:

* Talk with people who know you best and who have graduated from college (e.g., parents, siblings, teachers).
* Meet with your guidance counselor to help you explore options.
* Review college catalogs.
* Research individual college information online.
* Attend college fairs at your high school or in the community.
* Visit the college campuses you are most interested in or take a virtual tour on a college’s Web site if you aren’t able to visit all of your choices.
* Contact the admissions office of the college you are interested in attending.
* Talk to students with disabilities who are currently enrolled at college.

Choosing a College

Before you get started, think about how you would answer the following questions.

1. What are some characteristics on your “wish list” for college? For example, great sports teams, knowledgeable professors or small student-teacher ratios.
2. How can you find out the college options in your state or in other states?
3. What are ways to compare the pros and cons of several college choices?
4. What have other college students shared with you about their experiences of choosing a college?

Things to consider

Choosing a college is an exciting yet big decision! You need to consider what is important to you and take into account your individual goals, preferences, support needs and financial resources. Sometimes too many options can seem overwhelming, but the good thing is there are many good choices available to you. By considering key features, you can increase your likelihood for success.

You need to think about the type of college you want to attend. Do you want to go to a two-year college or a four-year college or university? Are you considering public or private institutions? You also need to think about the campus size, the average number of students in each class, the programs available, where the school is located, what services are available to students with disabilities, admissions requirements, costs and much more. You may not get everything you want in one college, so you will have to prioritize with your parents, guidance counselor and teachers what is most important to you.

Itroduction to College Planning

Recently I received this question from a parent with a child in High School: Where do I even start preparing for college with my child? I've never been to college and everything is so complex...
I will cover the following topics in the coming weeks:

* Choosing a college – Find a good match for you. By considering key features, you can increase your likelihood for success in college.

* Deciding on a major – Learn what steps you can take to choose a major. To do this you need to find a major that will use your strengths, minimize the areas in which you have difficulty and capitalize on the areas about which you are passionate.

* Applying for college – Figure out what you need to do when applying for college. Each college has its own application requirements, form, fees, due dates and acceptance procedures. You’ll learn the process for applying, tips for writing your essay, how to get your recommendation letters and how to keep it all organized.

* Getting financial aid – Investigate your financial aid options so you are prepared to cover college expenses. You’ll learn how to get financial aid, what aid is available for students with disabilities, how to get scholarships and how to budget your money while in college.

* Taking admission tests – Learn about the SAT and ACT and learn how to prepare for these tests. It’s important to understand how eligible students with disabilities can get accommodations on these tests.

* High school “To Do” list – Learn the steps you need to take in high school to get into college. All of these “To Do” items can seem overwhelming, but by having a plan, you will be better able to get it all done.