Making the Final Selection

Once the general characteristics of appropriate settings have been determined, the list of serious choices should narrow to five good candidates. The schools must then be contacted, interviews arranged, and family visits planned. Campus tours and the opportunity to sit in on classes must be given particular attention, since it is extremely important for a student who has a learning disability to personally judge the level of difficulty of the instruction, observe the interaction of the students, and gain for himself or herself a sense of the relationship between the students and the faculty.

The admissions interview may not answer all the questions regarding programs for students with learning disabilities. If it does not, the student and parents must seek out and meet with a member of the learning disabilities program staff. A list of questions based on family concerns and perhaps stimulated by a review of college directories and guides or discussions with high school college counselors should be prepared prior to the visit.

Suggested questions

What type of support is available for students with learning disabilities?
Is the program monitored by a full-time professional staff?
Has the program been evaluated, and if so, by whom?
Are there any concerns for the program’s future?
Who counsels students with learning disabilities during registration, orientation, and course selection?
How does the school propose to help with the specific disability?
Which courses provide tutoring?
What kind of tutoring is available, and who does it -- peers or staff?
Is tutoring automatic, or must the student request assistance?
How well do faculty members accept students with learning disabilities?
May students with learning disabilities take a lighter load?
Are courses in study skills or writing skills offered?
Have counselors who work with students with learning disabilities received special training?
How do students on campus spend their free time?
May students with learning disabilities take more time to graduate?
Who can parents contact if they have concerns during the academic year?

(Berger, 1989) (Adapted from the U.S. Dept. of Education website)

NOTE: Students with qualifying learning disabilities may also be eligible for accommodations on national standardized testing such as SAT and ACT. Although being certified for these accommodations has become increasingly more difficult, this may be something that parents would like to pursue.