<p>You do if you’re not including your disability as part of your application. Only after you’re admitted can you submit the Special Needs Identification Form to request an accommodation. For most students, it would be beneficial to meet with Jodi Litchfield, Middlebury’s ADA coordinator. Jodi meets regularly with prospective students to discuss their special needs and the services available through the college. </p>
<p>I also discussed this issue with a good friend who is an educator and consultant specializing in students with learning disabilities. He’s a Middlebury alum as well.
He said in most cases he would advise a student to disclose their disability, especially if the standardized test scores aren’t reflective of the student’s ability. Many extremely bright students with a LD do poorly on standardized tests. Nothing new. He additionally commented that some of the best essays he’s read are by students who wrote about their disability. Admittedly, it’s only one individuals opinion, and I’m sure there are legitimate opposing views.</p>
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<p>It’s reasonable to assume that of the ~ 170 enrolled students with a disability–most are an academic disability-- a significant percentage acknowledged their special needs on the application.</p>
<p>I’m also aware of Stanford, Amherst, MIT, Vassar and Smith students/alums who acknowledged their academic disability during the application process.</p>
<p>That’s all good to hear. I’m imagining(perhaps wrongly)that many of the 170 students with disabilities reported PRIOR to applying had another hook.</p>
<p>I repeat, “It’s all about crafting a class…”</p>
<p>mollylove30: in case you haven’t heard or seen it: You should watch the movie: The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia (2012). The filmmaker’s son was accepted to Middlebury after being waitlisted & the movie represents that Middlebury is very “dyslexic friendly.” The filmaker’s son made the Dean’s List at Middlebury even though he believed he had to have been the admitted student with the lowest SAT scores in the history of Middlebury. I hope you disclosed your dyslexia in your application. Many, many colleges are becoming much more aware that dyslexia does not define intelligence. Rather, many are recognizing that high achieving dyslexics bring something special to there campuses and often are quite successful later in life. In the summer of 2011, 45 college admissions deans from across the country met at Stanford University to learn about high achieving dyslexic applicants. The goal of the seminar was “to help colleges realize that, because of their intelligence, out-of-the-box thinking, and perseverance, these students can add luster” to their schools. Check out the link & watch that movie: [Dyslexia</a> Study NYT August 1, 2011](<a href=“http://dyslexia.yale.edu/USNWR092011.html]Dyslexia”>Colleges Step Up to Meet Dyslexia Challenge - Yale Dyslexia)</p>
<p>Totally apply to Middlebury. You may want to do ED if it’s your top choice. And, good luck! But to be honest: Middlebury is EXTREMELY hard to get into. 2 amazingly qualified kids from school did ED, and neither got in. Both had a legacy, both had scores over 2200, and one is a regionally famous musician. College is just plain tough!</p>