Mentioning a learning difference in college applications

Disclosing a learning difference or autism in a college application is a choice, not a requirement. Use these questions to decide, and how to write it if you do.

Questions to decide

• Does it explain something in the transcript, like a dip in grades before a diagnosis or support?
• Is it central to a story you want to tell about who you are?
• Do you want the college to know now, or only the disability office after you enroll?
• Are you comfortable with it being read by admission officers?

If you disclose

• Use the additional information section for context, in a few factual sentences
• Focus on what you learned and how you work now, not only the challenge
• Keep the main essay about something you choose; it does not have to be this
• Remember accommodations in college are requested separately, after you enroll

If you do not

• That is fine: colleges cannot require it
• Plan to register with the disability office once you commit

This tool is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each college decides admission, aid and how credit counts, and requirements change; check each college's own pages. Examples are examples, not promises. Caveat Academic Services is an independent college preparation company. Students do all of their own work.