<p>I heard that having a disability is a form of diversity and will be an advantage in the application process. But I am not sure if this is true.</p>
<p>For example, talking about how one overcomes a disability to achieve success in a personal statement or letter of rec, may help shed new contexts in interpreting the data in application and file.</p>
<p>Please tell me if this is a rumour or not.</p>
<p>it’s a general question</p>
<p>Dealing with a physical disability might impress the school. Dealing with a learning disability may make the school wonder if you can handle the academic pace.</p>
<p>Depends on the disability and how you frame it. I am personally writing about a disability in one of my essays and what it has taught me.</p>
<p>What if it is a disability that you have worked to overcome and what if it shaped your successes and who you are? (Any type of disability)</p>
<p>The bottom-line is that it is in neither your interests nor the school’s interests to admit you if you cannot keep up academically in that school</p>
<p>What if you have succeeded despite any disability? I mean, some people succeed and do well despite their disability.</p>
<p>Only the very top schools read (i.e factor in) holistic factors. Most schools admit solely based on formulae of GPA & test scores. Or their admissions criteria are so low as to admit anyone.</p>
<p>Your overcoming a disability would only come into play for the very competitive schools – if that’s what you’re aiming for. But then, you’ll need the extraordinary GPA & test scores to match as well. If you’re not targeting those sorts of schools, your story will just remain your own.</p>
<p>Our state schools incorporate essays, personal recommendations etc. I thought that was fairly common now.</p>
<p>Both my kids have learning challenges. Oldest attended a small LAC known for its rigor. We researched their learning support services before she applied by talking to the dept head. I didn’t do that before youngest applied to her school and I wish we had.
The LAC was a reach academically & financially, although if accepted they did meet full need.
I expect they felt that she was bright despite her difficulties, & that the school had enough support for her through graduation. They certainly were generous with their financial support.</p>
<p>What kind of disability are we talking about?</p>
<p>IMHO, the “I worked hard and overcame a disability” trope is way overused.</p>
<p>Let’s say developmental language delay, caused by language issues…</p>
<p>So, would an effective essay in this category be able to make up for some weakness in the application?</p>