Equity in College Admissions

College Counseling and Learning Services can partner to provide students with the support they need to navigate the college admissions process. Parents and students should feel free to discuss with College Counseling how the student learns, who may have more insight into the way the student organizes/completes work, etc. Speaking with Learning Services about testing accommodations early is imperative. A Upper School Learning Specialist may join you for any meetings with College Counseling. Solid partnerships are important for organization, planning, prioritization, and task management as students initiate, self-monitor, and complete work. 

Questions to ask support services when on a college tour:

1. Where is the office located? Where are services provided?

2. How are services integrated into the college - who talks with professors? What does this process look like?

3. Do you have any concerns that some professors won't honor my accommodations? If so, what do I do?

4. What are specific accommodations that you could provide based on what I'm currently receiving at my high school?

Accessible College is serving and supporting students with physical disabilities and health conditions in preparing for college.:

• Considerations for college based on healthcare needs

• College accommodations (academic, residential, transportation, and programmatic)

• Disability-specific questions for college tours and tour debriefs

• Medication management

• Healthcare management

• Hiring and managing a Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

• Continuity of care (including transfer of care)

• Self-advocacy skills

• Disability disclosure

• Communicating with the college’s Disability Support Office

• Disability documentation review and development

• Career guidance

The National Center for College Students with Disabilities and the 50 Best Colleges for students with disabilities are other great resources!

Supports for all students  

• Extensive variability in what’s available, fees (if applicable), and how to access

• Commonly Available Supports: Early course registration, classroom/housing accommodations, assistive technology, academic coaching, tutoring, mentoring, research assistance, counseling, advising, career counseling, networking and support

Disability Support Offices  

• Every college will have this 

•  Basic services and accommodations free and available to all students with documented disabilities  

• Extensive variability in the extent of support offered 

Comprehensive Programs  

• Available at some colleges  

• May charge fees for service  

• Most designed to support a specific type of disability

The key difference between high school and college support is that students must self-identify and advocate for themselves in college. Parents do not have access to educational records without student consent. This and other information can be found in this full presentation from East Carolina University. 

When Students with Health Conditions Transition to College: This post talks about executive function skills that are essential for students with health conditions in the college setting.

How Can Students with Health Conditions Successfully Navigate the College Transition?: This post focuses on preparing students with health conditions to be able to self-advocate in college.

College Success: Physical Disabilities, Chronic Health & Mental Health is a Facebook group is designed to be a resource for students with physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, and mental health issues, as well as families, and professional members such as educators, consultants, and healthcare professionals who are working to support students in:

• Navigating the college process

• Requesting and utilizing accommodations

• Ensuring ongoing support for college success