504 Plan - Can it Hurt?

Applying to College
1

<p>I just got my 504 plan this past school year because of my IBS, and my grades HAVE improved since I got approved for the 504. However, I've been wondering if colleges will know that I have a disability, and if that will affect the admissions process.</p>

<p>I know that, legally, colleges can't discriminate against people with disabilities, but that doesn't mean that they won't, right? I mean, if a college had to choose between someone that would cost them more in administrative costs and would be more of a problem to accommodate, as opposed to someone who would be a normal student, what's to really stop them from discriminating?</p>

<p>I'm not saying that all colleges will discriminate, I'm just looking for some other opinions.</p>

2

<p>Do they treat people with 504s like URMs? I have a 504, too.</p>

3

<p>Saugus, It’s not a “hook” if that’s what you are asking. </p>

<p>Bazzle, try your question here.</p>

<p>[Learning</a> Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/]Learning”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/)</p>

4

<p>They will not know unless you tell them, and you don’t need to tell them until you have been accepted and only then if you want academic adjustments. If you do, be prepared to present medical documentation. The 504 Plan in and of itself will not, at most colleges, be considered adequate documentation. The medical information should be recent, and describe your medical issues and how they relate to the academic adjustments being requested.</p>

<p>Make sure you carefully review the websites for disability services offices for the colleges you are applying to and particularly the one where you intend to go in order to determine what they require and what services they offer. Make sure they can and will meet your needs. Start the process early, after you determine where you want to go, in case thee is a need to appeal anything.</p>

<p>Take a look at this pamphlets from the Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education: <a href=“http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html[/url]”>http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html&lt;/a&gt; and <a href=“http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq5269.html[/url]”>http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq5269.html&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Thanks guys :)</p>

<p>I would have thought that it would be necessary to report it, or at least that your school would do it when your guidance counsoler has to fill out a form for all of your colleges.</p>