In addition to the usual questions students have about colleges (about admissions requirements, academic programs, and social atmosphere, for example), students with learning disabilities need to make some additional inquiries of college administrators. In most cases you will get the most accurate information from the school's coordinator of services for students with disabilities.

What (if any) special programs and support services are in place here for students who have learning disabilities? While colleges are required by federal law to make "reasonable accommodations" for individuals with disabilities, some do little more. Ask specifically about the types of assistance you are most likely to need. What arrangements are made for students who need help taking notes, for example? Is assistance with writing papers available, and on what basis (a special class, individual tutor, or writing lab)? If a book is not available on tape from the library, will the college find someone to record it' How long would this take?

Are support services and/or tutoring included in the tuition, or do they cost extra?

How long has your learning-disabilities support program been in existence? Students looking for extensive services should seek out a college with an established track record.

How many students with learning disabilities have received services here in recent years? What percentage of those students graduate? Very low numbers may indicate a weak level of support for students who have learning disabilities.

What documentation must I provide in order to obtain services? Documentation must usually be based on an evaluation by a qualified professional and describe specific types of learning disabilities, as well as recommended accommodations. (A letter from your grade-school principal stating that you're "dyslexic," for example, won't cut it.) Many colleges will accept a high school IEP. Others may require a recent psychoeducational evaluation that includes test results and a detailed description of learning strengths and weaknesses.

What is the procedure for negotiating accommodations and modifications with instructors? Are students on their own, or is help with advocacy available? If there is a conflict with a professor, what is the procedure for resolving it?

What is the minimum number of credits per semester required to be considered a full-time student? Limiting one's course load is one key to college success, but some types of financial aid are available only to full-time students.

Are courses available in basic writing and study skills? Do they earn academic credit?

What is the average class size in my areas of academic interest? What is the usual format of these classes (lecture, laboratory, or discussion)? What kind of tests are given most frequently?

Does the college (or the proposed major) have a mathematics or a foreign language requirement? If these subjects present a problem, is it possible to substitute other courses (such as international studies courses, American Sign Language, or computer courses) to satisfy these requirements? Note that colleges and universities are not required to waive or change these requirements to accommodate students with learning disabilities. They may refuse to do so if changing the requirement amounts to altering the nature of the program or relaxing academic standards.

What is available in the way of work-study programs and internships? Many young people with learning disabilities learn best by doing, and so benefit from programs that go beyond the classroom. Find out if academic credit can be granted for these experiences.

Is tutoring and academic and career counseling handled through the learning disabilities support center or through academic departments and general counseling offices? How much experience do advisors and tutors have with students who have learning disabilities?

What kind of technical support is available? How easy is it to get access to a computer? Do you have to walk nearly a mile to the library to get online, or are computers scattered throughout the campus? (One Ivy League university lends laptops to students with disabilities for use in class!)

What grading options are available? Can any courses be taken on a pass/fail basis?

If noise and distraction are a problem, what housing options are available? Are there "quiet dorms" or "quiet floors" (loud music and partying are not allowed after certain hours, or not allowed at all)? Can I get a single room? Do single rooms cost extra?

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