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Choosing the Right College

What sorts of colleges and universities are out there?
 
Two-year colleges are most frequently public community colleges located in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the United States. Most are open admissions institutions and are non-residential. Some are independent (private) junior colleges which encourage students to earn an Associate Degree. Community colleges attract students who choose to take either a few selected courses in their interest area, vocational courses to train for specific jobs, as well as those who pursue an undergraduate certificate (to study a specific field of training), or an Associate Degree, some of whom plan to transfer to a four-year institution.

Four-year colleges or universities may be open enrollment or selective. Most require students to pursue a degree, and many are residential. Four-year colleges are also located in various settings, and in small communities they may be the center of cultural life. Tuition, room, board, and books are generally more expensive per year than the cost of attendance at a community college.
How do I begin the college search process?
 
First, determine what you might like to study in college. Remember that you want to be able to apply your education to a career after graduation. Refer to "Choosing the Right Career" to learn more.
 
Also, refer to the Autism Center's College Profile Binder. This resource contains information on the colleges and universities in Indiana and Michigan that may be the right fit for you.
 
How do I narrow down my college choices?
 
At this point, put aside your disability concerns temporarily. Remember that all schools are required to provide accommodative services to qualified students with disabilities. When narrowing down your college choices, consider the following:
  • Admissions-related requirements, such as test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays
  • Available majors and the majors' required components
  • Expected cost, including tuition, room and board, books, and additional fees
  • Opportunities for financial aid
  • Location, proximity to home, and transportation
  • Enrollment, class size, and faculty
  • Social activities, religious life, and athletics
  • Campus and community resources
Next, recall your disability-related concerns. Become familiar with the support services that each college or university offers. Contact the college's disability support staff, and ask the following questions:
  • For how many students with learning disabilities does the campus currently provide services?
  • What types of academic accommodations are typically provided to students with learning disabilities on your campus?
  • Does the college or university have someone available who is trained and understands the needs of adults with learning disabilities?
  • What records or documentation of a learning disability are necessary to arrange academic accommodations for admitted students?
  • How many students with learning disabilities have graduated in the past five years?
  • How is the confidentiality of applicants' records, as well as those of enrolled students, protected?
  • Where does the college publish Family Education Rights and Privacy Act guidelines which I can review?
  • How is information related to the documentation of a learning disability used? By whom?
  • What academic and personal characteristics have been found important for students with learning disabilities to succeed at this college?
Personally visit the schools that interest you, preferably while classes are in session so that you can get an impression of daily life on campus. Try to arrange a meeting with several college students with learning disabilities to discuss their learning and personal experiences. Ask yourself--will this college provide the specific accommodations that I need?
 
 
Additional College Resources
 
The Princeton Review
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  • Used a primary source for this section