It's one of the questions we hear most often: should my student tell colleges about their ADHD, dyslexia or anxiety? There's no single right answer, but there is a thoughtful way to decide.
Disclosure is always a choice
Colleges generally can't ask applicants whether they have a disability, and your student is never required to share one. Deciding not to disclose is completely fine. Accommodations in college are arranged after admission, through the disability services office, so staying quiet in an application won't keep your student from getting support later.
When sharing can help
A learning difference can add important context. Consider disclosing if:
It explains something in the transcript. A rough semester before a diagnosis, or a big jump in grades once your student got the right support, makes more sense with a sentence of explanation.
It's central to who your student is. Some students have a real story about learning how their brain works, advocating for themselves or helping others. That can make a strong essay.
Your student is applying to a program built for students who learn differently. These programs want to understand how a student learns.
When it may not be needed
If your student's record is strong and the learning difference isn't part of the story they want to tell, there may be no reason to mention it. An application has limited space, and your student may prefer to use it on their interests and goals.
Where and how to share
The Additional Information section of the Common App is a good place for a brief, factual explanation. Two or three sentences are usually enough.
The essay works if your student wants to write about growth, persistence or self-advocacy. The focus should be on what they learned and did, not on the diagnosis itself.
A counselor letter can also provide context, and many families find that a comfortable option.
Whatever your student decides, the tone should be confident and forward-looking. Colleges want to see a student who understands how they learn and knows how to get what they need.
This is a personal decision, and we're always happy to talk it through with your family.
