Query regarding MS in USA for dyslexic student

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi,
I am a working professional in India with experience of about 2 years in the field of software development. I completed my BE (equivalent to BS in America) in computer engg. in 2011 and would like to pursue MS in computer science by fall 2014. I was diagnosed with dyslexia in the 4th grade. I have somewhat learned to cope up with my studies by remedial teaching methods but take more time to study and put it down on paper.
I also got extra time for exam completion right since my schooling days and that has helped a lot. Here are a few questions I would like to ask regarding further studies in America :-</p>

<p>1) Do universities in US consider dyslexic students and provide concession for allocation of seats?</p>

<p>2) I have low CGPA (approx 2.7) and trying hard to score well in GRE and TOEFL. Will low CGPA affect my chances to get into good universities or being a dyslexic help me out in some way?</p>

<p>3) Will I be awarded extra time to complete my exams if I can provide proof that I have been doing so through my school and engineering college?</p>

<p>4) I definitely intend to mention about my LD in essay. How should I put it together so that it does not pull down my application and rather show how I over came difficulties and studied hard to become what I am today?</p>

<p>5) I intend to apply in Universities like University of California - San Diego, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Rochester Institute of Technology and so on. Do these universities provide support to learning disabled people?</p>

<p>Thank you everyone in advance. Please feel free to comment and provide feedback on my query.</p>

2

<p>I can provide you some answers based on my experience as a faculty member at IIT.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Yes, most universities have an office which provides accommodations for such students. You have to have some documentation about your condition, however.</p></li>
<li><p>Most graduate programs require a 3.0/4.0 CGPA for admission. It is possible to get into less selective programs with a lower CGPA but you will not get any financial aid. You need to get good scores in your GRE to offset your CGPA.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, see my answer to (1)</p></li>
<li><p>I think you need to say it just like you did in the question. Show how your grades improved in your final years (if that is the case) and how you plan to adapt to do even better. Remember that in a graduate program you must retain a 3.0/40 GPA to remain in good standing.</p></li>
<li><p>I think they do, by law.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Thanks a ton xraymancs for your reply. I have been haunted by this doubt since past 7 months whether universities do provide some leeway to LD students in terms of allotment of seats. Your positive answer may just be the motivation I needed to apply to higher ranked universities. I have documentation proving that in am an LD student since my 4th grade…thats 12 years of documentation :)</p>

<p>Just wanted to ask that is there a separate panel that decides if a student with special needs is to be admitted of its taken care by the same panel (I assume you may know since you have experience form such an esteemed university)</p>

<p>Thanks once again.</p>

<p>Any more replies and suggestions are most welcome.</p>