ADHD on college apps

[Anonymous]

My son has decent test scores - 1500 SAT and 34 - ACT. His GPA is low because of ADHD, which unfortunately was diagnosed only in his junior year. He is applying to some competitive schools. Would mentioning ADHD in the college applications put him at a disadvantage? He is extremely hard working and very well rounded ( soccer, music , service). I'm wondering how colleges would view this.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing the same way they view gender -- pretty much half the population claims to have ADHD these days.

[Anonymous]

That 34 is great OP. Are you currently on an IEP and does your son get extra time for testing. Are you in public or private. Are you in a SN school. If you can fill me in on that I can provide lots of information. What is his full diagnosis? Is he on meds.

[Anonymous]

OP I think it would help explain the difference between stellar SATs and mediocre grades. Means he isnt' lazy. I'd include it.

[Anonymous]

At a seminar I went to a few months ago, I asked this question of someone who runs a college learning disabilities office. Her advice was NOT to disclose because you can't be sure which admissions people will be biased. There is some stigma about ADHD, whether we like it or not. Her advice was to let the grades and scores stand on their own.

[Anonymous]

Agree not to disclose.

I have a kid with ADHD and even I am very skeptical of kids who don't 'discover' they have a disability until junior year. ADHD affects all aspect of one's life, and if one can manage until that late, it is a mild case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At a seminar I went to a few months ago, I asked this question of someone who runs a college learning disabilities office. Her advice was NOT to disclose because you can't be sure which admissions people will be biased. There is some stigma about ADHD, whether we like it or not. Her advice was to let the grades and scores stand on their own.

But if you have an IEP, are in a SN school for ADHD, currently benefit from extra time, etc. you may have to disclose which will work to your child's benefit if they need extra time on college exams. Both of my children are signed up with the Office of Disability Services at their universities. They get extra time on exams and soemtimes papers. It's been a huge benefit. BTW, both scores very high on the ACT. First child had 3.4 GPA, second 4.0+. Both in great universities you have heard of.

[Anonymous]

^^ in other words we disclosed all and the schools (one public, one SN) helped us with the applications. DCs also got extra time on ACT. Both accepted to great universities. Then before your child arrives, you work with ODS to determine what supports, if any, your child needs. For some young adults, it is a single room (good for ADHD kids who get distracted), for others it is seating up front, or use of a computer in class (believe it or not some university profs still forbid that so it's helpful if you have ODS behind you, access to teacher notes, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At a seminar I went to a few months ago, I asked this question of someone who runs a college learning disabilities office. Her advice was NOT to disclose because you can't be sure which admissions people will be biased. There is some stigma about ADHD, whether we like it or not. Her advice was to let the grades and scores stand on their own.

But if you have an IEP, are in a SN school for ADHD, currently benefit from extra time, etc. you may have to disclose which will work to your child's benefit if they need extra time on college exams. Both of my children are signed up with the Office of Disability Services at their universities. They get extra time on exams and soemtimes papers. It's been a huge benefit. BTW, both scores very high on the ACT. First child had 3.4 GPA, second 4.0+. Both in great universities you have heard of.

You don’t disclose until admitted. Nothing a high school sends can mention an IEP or 504, and the admissions tests don’t carry a notation that they were taken with extra time.

A student with a documented disability should absolutely reach out to disability services once accepted or enrolled.

[Anonymous]

Do not disclose until after child is admitted.

[Anonymous]

Disagree. There are a lot of books on ADHD and college selection. They all say disclose. Admissions can't refuse you based upon a disability. Then use the office of disability services throughout the college years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disagree. There are a lot of books on ADHD and college selection. They all say disclose. Admissions can't refuse you based upon a disability. Then use the office of disability services throughout the college years.

How would you prove this is the reason you didn’t get in?

Colleges won’t overlook bad grades because you tell them there is a disability.

[Anonymous]

How low is the GPA? 3.5 or 2.5?

[Anonymous]

Different perspective here. Mother of a middle of the class GPA wise TJ with ADHD. He will survive TJ. It has taken supports. Nothing extreme at the school level, but an awesome guidance counselor and good communication with teachers. The freshman adjustment was very tough. And the adjustment to each new school year is tough. Nice, smart, kind, interesting kid (but I am biased). He is going to succeed or fail in college without parental supports based on whether we find a good environment for him. And a college that would look at him and all he has done with a learning disability that has been documented all over the place since kindergarten and say they are not interested because of ADHD is going to be a bad fit. Getting into Stanford by masking ADHD doesn’t help him if he can’t succeed there.

I want a college that wants my kid. My real kid. Not some glossy, perfectly packaged version of him.

[Anonymous]

Your kid discloses nothing. Word count is limited, use it wisely.

GC can mention LD, if you ask for it as a way of explaining high test scores/low gpa.