Choosing a college where you’ll thrive academically and also enjoy your personal and social life takes careful planning. If you have a learning disability, a methodical approach to researching your options is particularly critical in finding the perfect college match. The key to your success: identifying colleges and programs offering the right environment for your specific needs.

A Shift of Responsibility
Most college students say that college life is nothing like high school.

Experts agree. “The typical ratio of 35 hours of class and 15 hours of homework in high school to 15 hours of class and 35 hours of studying in college is a 180-degree flip,” says Ross Pollack, Ed.D., a contributing author to Peterson’s Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or AD/HD. “This switch is tough for all students, but exceedingly tough for many learning disabled and ADHD students.”

The most important change during the transition from high school to college for students with learning disabilities is a shift of responsibility. In college, you will need to take charge of seeking out and utilizing support services for your particular learning disability. You’ll need to be independent, decisive and responsible for your studies and well-being.
If you were diagnosed with a learning disability in elementary, middle or high school, your school district was responsible for developing your Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and ensuring that you received the appropriate services to meet your IEP goals. Once you start your college education, however, you will rely on the information and knowledge gained in your academic career about your unique abilities in order to arrange the support you need to succeed in college classrooms and lecture halls.

Understanding the Basics
You probably want to attend college for many reasons. During your college years, you likely want to broaden your horizons, enjoy learning and contemplate what you want to do with the rest of your life.

As you begin identifying schools of interest, ask the same questions that your peers without learning disabilities ask. According to Pollack, the collegiate world has done a great job of creating effective support services for all students.

First, be clear on your academic interests and what type of academic environment enhances your learning style. Each of us has certain needs and values, and what is important to you may not matter to someone else. Take location, for instance. If you want to be less than 100 miles from home, then cross off your list the schools that are located on the other side of the globe. The same goes for school size, cost and other basic criteria. By identifying your needs early, you can eliminate hundreds of schools that don’t appeal to you— and concentrate on what makes your chosen college a perfect fit.

Focusing Your Search
Talk to your guidance counselor, parents, classmates and friends about the different factors that you should consider as you plan for college. Obviously, academics play a huge role in determining the right school for you. But so does the size of the school. Consider a large institution. While thousands of students and a huge campus may be scary at first, perhaps a big school has a wider variety of services specifically designed for students with learning disabilities. You have to weigh the pros and cons.

Identify criteria that will narrow your selection, as there are a significant array of colleges and universities. Some schools devote substantial energy and resources to research. Some colleges have a specialty in one specific area while others are best known for providing their students with a broad education. Stay focused on your personal needs and preferences.

Self-Advocating for Support Services
It is essential for you to understand your disability and how it impacts your learning. Colleges are not required by law to admit a certain percentage of students with learning disabilities. In addition, colleges are only required to provide “reasonable accommodations” to students who identify themselves as learning disabled.

In college, you will be expected to identify yourself as a student with a learning disability. Contact the Office for Disability Services with the required documentation. Most colleges have a variety of support services. However, it is up to you to find and use them. “The most common services include extended time testing, and utilizing a word processor, note takers, readers and scribes,” says Pollack.

The functional limitations of your disability and the rationale described in your documentation determine what support services you may receive.

Getting the Facts During a Campus Visit
Once you narrow your choices, you’ll want to visit the various campuses to get the vibe of each school. This is the perfect time to determine exactly what academic and support services are available to you. Ask about assistance for course selection, reduced course-load options, content tutors, special testing accommodations and general services offered by an on-campus learning resource center.

“Students should not expect course waivers or course substitutions, but may inquire about the possibility of this academic adjustment,” says Pollack. “As more and more students are requesting course substitutions in subjects like math and foreign languages, schools are rethinking their curriculum and which courses are integral.”

Additional Questions to Ask During a Campus Visit
•What services are available to students with learning disabilities?
•What documentation is required to get these services?
•Are there additional fees for services?
•Do you have tutors who are trained to work with students with learning disabilities?
•What about tutors and resources suited for my particular special needs issues (such as ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome and dyslexia)?
•During orientation, are there placement tests given? If so, what is the process for scheduling the tests?

There is no substitute for meeting with the people who run the programs that provide support services. Make it a point to set up a meeting with such administrators during your campus visit and keep in touch to ask follow-up questions. If administrators know you are serious about your academic success, they are most likely to help you in every way possible.

You Can Do It
Feeling a bit overwhelmed about your college choices? Take comfort in the fact that anxiety is a natural reaction. Besides, with careful planning you’re apt to have a positive life-changing experience in college. The best way to turn your anxiety into positive energy is to start planning for college early, give yourself extra time to sift though your options and stay organized.

Keep a notebook and an open mind. To get started, you may want to check out the book Peterson’s Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or AD/HD, which includes comprehensive profiles of programs at more than 1,100 colleges in the United States and Canada, with details on diagnostic testing, orientation, summer programs, unique aids and services.

Linda Seghers is the editor of Peterson’s Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or AD/HD (Peterson’s). Peterson’s Nelnet, LLC, a Nelnet company, is a leading provider of educational and career guidance, test preparation resources and information on academic opportunities, admissions and financial aid.