<p>Hi all! This is my first thread post so if I am posting in the wrong forum let me know!</p>
<p>Anyways, I filled out the QuestBridge app, and plan to rank colleges for the match. So far, I am really interested in Swarthmore and U of Chicago (they are among the few that I can apply to without ACT plus writing scores) and I'm really struggling with which one I should rank first.</p>
<p>I realize the chances are slim of me getting matched, but I still want to make sure my number one ranking is actually my first choice. I plan to major in Chemistry, maybe even double major in Biochemistry and English, so both colleges have what I am looking for major-wise.</p>
<p>Here's my issue- I have multiple disabilities. Physical mostly, but I have a slight learning disorder. Does anyone know which would be more accommodating to my needs? I plan to apply RD to them if I am not matched, among applying RD to other QB schools that require ACT plus writing (I am taking it this month).</p>
<p>Like I said, I would love to attend either school, but one of the most important things for me is their disability services. I have looked at their websites, but I am wondering if anyone knows a difference. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Bumping because I really want an answer!</p>
<p>Turtles, I have no personal or even second hand experience with learning disabilities at these colleges but I bet that some dedicated internet searching will yield some information for you. Don’t just get on some ‘ask’ forum, do your research. If you’re a reasonable candidate for Chicago or Swat, you are capable of internet research including lots of reading, trying different search terms, some dead ends, perusing documents to find the relevant info. Dig.</p>
<p>Without knowing details of your disability, it’s probably the case that you would get more personal attention at Swat. They have many more resources/time/personnel to devote to each individual student, and the small student body means more attention to your unique needs. The campus at Swat is very calm, spacious, uncrowded. It might be user friendly to someone who has difficulty navigating the world physically. And some dorms at Chicago are far off campus - like really far. Devil’s advocate would reply that the larger university has a greater variety of resources at its disposal to help you, and you wouldn’t stick out as much in the student population, maybe even having peers in the same condition as you. Again, without any details re: your circumstances, this is a general observation. </p>
<p>I can tell you that Chicago is a college that matches a very high number of QB applicants each year (maybe even the highest: > 50 last year) and Swat a notoriously low number. Swat will then accept more RD but they just historically don’t match many. So on that level, Chicago is a better bet, but you should rank as many colleges as you would be willing to attend, of course ranked by preference. </p>
<p>If you want to expand your list, I know that Bowdoin and Wesleyan are test optional and there are doubtless more.</p>
<p>@honeybee63 thanks for responding! About Bowdoin and Wesleyan- they are just too far away for my parents’ comfort. </p>
<p>I don’t even know if it’s so much a learning disability as it is a…slowness? As in it takes me longer than average to do tests and write papers. It’s not a distraction thing, it’s that I literally take forever. </p>
<p>I am leaning towards Chicago because of the aforementioned fact that they usually match more people, but the residence halls being farther away from campus might be an issue. I have muscular atrophy, extreme fatigue, and a thing with my eyes that I can only see in 2D. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Sounds like Chicago would be great for you. Find out about accommodations and ask about ensuring you’re in a central dorm. You can read descriptions and see pictures here: <a href=“http://housing.uchicago.edu/houses_houses/”>http://housing.uchicago.edu/houses_houses/</a> and a map of residence halls here:
<a href=“http://housing.uchicago.edu/community_living/residence_hall_map/”>http://housing.uchicago.edu/community_living/residence_hall_map/</a></p>
<p>I have a kid who’s blind in one eye and reads really slowly - like really slowly - and the volume of reading at (LAC similar to Swat) college was really a challenge for him. But he just did it and probably partied/socialized somewhat less as a result. But the work was so interesting, he never complained.
Don’t ever be afraid to contact admissions offices with your questions - that’s what they are there for! </p>
<p>@honeybee63 I think Chicago would be great for me too. I think it’s a sign that when I read the essay prompts I squealed because of how interesting they are to me. I’m going to have trouble deciding on just one! I’m still going to rank Swat, large reading assignments might be intimidating for me- I read very slowly too!</p>
<p>On an unrelated note, did you by chance have to apply for extra time on standardized testing? My family is in the process and I am wondering if it’s very worth it. </p>
<p>We decided not to apply for accommodations although we looked into it, once when he was very young and teachers noticed his slowness and also extreme difficulty making choices/decisions, and then later when standardized testing came around. We didn’t follow through because it is an elaborate process, and he tested quite well even with the slow reading. His biggest problem is with the large volume of reading in certain classes. If it will make a big difference to you, get the extra time, although I wonder if you are too late to get the allowance for October ACT?</p>
<p>The U Chicago prompts change every year and are always fascinating! I’ll have to go look up this year’s prompts just for fun. Enjoy writing your essay! </p>
<p>@honeybee63 I am too late to get allowance for the October ACT (boo!) but I am going to get it in for December (hopefully). Same with SAT. I got a 27 once, but my September score got worse, because I totally ran out of time even having practiced better time management skills. I don’t know what I am to do for this upcoming ACT, because at this rate my chances of getting into my reaches are slim. U Chicago is definitely a reach, but like my dad has told me- “let them tell you no”.</p>
<p>Your dad is right as long as you have at least one school on your list that is a sure thing - a school you are sure will admit you, you can definitely afford and will be happy to attend. If you have that college identified, than go ahead and shoot for the stars. Students who love writing the U’Chicago essay are often just the right kind of student for U’Chicago </p>
<p>@nynightowl Yeah, I have like three (maybe two) safeties. One is very close to home, the other my parents are alumni of, so I can receive a boatload of scholarships based on that. Might end up being 3/4 of the tuition paid for. I hope I am the right kind of student for U Chicago!</p>
<p>TurtlesRWe, let us know how it works out for you with NCM ok? I’m rooting for you and U’Chicago to be a match!</p>
<p>@honeybee63 Aww that is so nice of you to say! I will try to remember to mention you as the time draws nearer. I don’t know if you know, but finalists are announced this upcoming Tuesday. I have a lot of back up plans if QB doesn’t work out, so I’m not going to be devastated if I’m not a finalist. Disappointed, but it just means I have to pursue other options. </p>
<p>@TurtlesRWe, a couple things to remember:
- even if you’re not chosen as a finalist, a lot of schools (more LACs than UNI’s but check them all!) will allow you to forward your QB app rather than the CA and many of them extend the automatic fee waiver to non-finalists as well. As always, check the app requirement pages for your schools to maximize good application strategies!
- many many non finalists are accepted to QB partner schools during ED, EA and RD. If (for some weird reason!) you’re not a finalist, don’t give up on QB schools - remember the QB staff chooses finalists, but the colleges do their own admissions!<br>
- a few years ago, a boy, AA, talented musician, very high SAT, GPA etc. was not chosen as a QB finalist. Everyone was shocked. He played it cool, shrugged and applied to Yale SCEA and was accepted. He is really happy at Yale and never held a grudge vs QB. They do the best they can but some gems will slip through the cracks and then you pursue your other options as you said!
- if you’re a QB non-finalist attending a QB partner school, you can join the Questbridge chapter at your college! This is a great way to have a built-in community and support on campus, plus fun activities and people to spend holidays with if you can’t get home for every break (Thanksgiving etc.). You can’t be a Quest Scholar or liaison, blogger, etc. as a non-finalist but you are part of the family and it’s a great family to be a part of :)</p>
<p>Counting down… less than 5 days…!</p>
<p>@honeybee63 thanks for the information! Yeah, some people have had great stats and not gotten finalist status. I don’t have great stats though… But I did work long and hard on my essays, and I have a lot of EC’s for someone with my amount of physical limitations.
I’m excited!</p>
<p>You sound like such a good kid - I really wish the best for you Turtles :). Essays are so important in this process - they will serve you well! Sending all kinds of good juju your way ;)!</p>
<p>@honeybee63 I really appreciate it! I hope my essays are good. I think my teacher recommendations were good as well- they ask about QB every day. Oh, QB says I can’t apply ED or EA anywhere else until I find out the match results- do you know if the same stands or RD? Two of the colleges I plan to apply to have RD deadlines before it find out match decisions. </p>
<p>You can apply for any program that has a scholarship with a deadline before December 1st. You can apply to your state flagship and to rolling decision colleges. College Match applicants may simultaneously apply to other colleges through those colleges’ Regular Decision (non-binding) processes. So yes, you may!</p>
<p>@honeybee63 that’s what I thought- I would hate to accidentally disqualify myself! I’m applying to u of Tennessee at Knoxville, if you were curious. It’s a safety for me but not sure if the large size will be a hinderance to me. They have great sciences and to not seek my options out there might be a mistake. Plus, I can get a lot of scholarships there. </p>
<p>@honeybee63 I’m not a Finalist… 
I’m probably more upset than I thought I was going to be. There was no reason for me to not be a Finalist. I don’t understand. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>It’s not as if I can’t get into any of my choice colleges, I just really REALLY needed the financial help. Arrgghg</p>
<p>Oh Im so sorry :(. There was probably a lot more competition this year. I heard they got about 15,000 applications. Keep going though. It was only one option in the whole admissions process. If your financial situation qualifies you for FA like QB match then you’ll get it anyway!</p>