I have a learning disability that I disclosed on the additional info section. I sort of just talked about what it was and that I am able to overcome it, and that my grades reflect it. Pretty generic. But I’m sitting here today, wondering that maybe I should have been more detailed. I did not explain to them that the disability added about 2 hours of work for me per night & that as a result, I put a majority to of my time into grades. That would explain why my ECs are not the strongest. I’ve already submitted 3 of my 7 applications though. Should I update my additional info for my other 4 schools? And should I email and updated version to my first 3 schools (they’re my #1, #2, and #3 choices) and provide more details? I really want to it it would help, but if it’s useless then I obviously wouldn’t. For clarification, I made no errors but my additional info section really underplayed my disability and made it seem very minor. Any advice would be really appreciated!
That’s tricky. I’d probaby let it go. S23 has an LD and decided not to even mention it on his common app as he felt his grades were good enough that they didn’t need an explanation.
At this point, I’d put my energy into vetting the academic support centers of each college and finding the ones you feel could provide the best support. After you are accepted, you can ask them about specific accommodations.
Should I just change it for the schools I have not submitted, or just let it go altogether?
I think I’d just let it go altogether. Let your personal statement speak for itself about who you are rather than letting their attention be drawn to your LD by highlighting it. The fact that you wrote about overcoming it is what you want them to think about, not that you didn’t engage in a lot of EC’s.
Focus on the positives. People are risk averse - so while they know and have support services for situations, they likely don’t want to know up front. So talk about why you are the right fit but not what challenges you will bring to their already strained resources - if that makes sense.
I generally think it is better not to disclose unless it is important to your application (e.g., I did not take a foreign language because or did not take Physical Education because).
I agree with the other responses, I would not change it.
D23 just submitted her Common App with a note on the additional info section about taking ASL as a language alternative due to dyslexia, that was it. Her theory was to just let her grades and rigor speak for themselves, and you should do the same.
Like you, she put in lots of extra hours to do get the work done - but she also managed to do a bunch of EC’s (including 14 years of ballet), so saying your LD prevented you from having lots of EC’s is not the best idea. There will always be other people who manage to do more than us, both neurotypical and neurodiverse, and that’s ok, we’re all different.
I’m sure you did great and they will see you for who you are and how hard you worked. I wish you all the best and hope you get into your #1!
Don’t add more detail, no. The real question is whether you need to disclose an LD at all. If you feel you have overcome it, great, but it seems it adds time to your work schedule. With accommodations you should be fine, but those are provided after acceptance and separate from admissions.