Can autism get me into college?

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I have read about how colleges are providing services to autistic students. And I'm wondering if we could have better admission chances like minorities do? Or would the opposite happen? Depending on the progression of autism awareness this may change drastically in the next few years. I'm an aspie who is half way through high school and thinks this is an important concern, especially if being autistic helps me get into college.

Ehhh...I wouldn't count on it. For example, would they let in a MR person, or someone with Down's just because "they're disabled. They need a leg-up" no matter how low their grades were? No, because if their grades don't meet the minimum standard, they probably won't succeed, and they don't get in.

What happens with colleges, who give 'special consideration' status for minorities, in most cases, it's not even for grades. Often, it has to do with financial aid for those who come from poor families, but who have the smarts to make it in college. They aren't extending free rides, or even guaranteed admission to every inner-city kid who managed to get Grade 12.

So, I wouldn't half-ass high school, in hopes that you can get in with a D average, just because of a disability label.

Some scholarships recognize ASD

Hmm.

I'd probably agree with both. I'm sure there's some scholarships out there. But I doubt it would make our admission chances any better, you know what I mean?

::currently looking at colleges:: The part of being a senior that's actually enjoyable...

No. It will not boost your admission chances. Best not to mention it. A more likely outcome is that the admission committee will think something like "Didn't that Virginia Tech shooter have Asperger's?" and then be unwilling to accept you. Misperceptions about autism persist, and until they are gone it is best not to tell them that stuff until you need to.

I won't go off on my affirmative action rant here, since I don't want to derail the thread, but suffice it to say that I disagree with these comments.

Hmm, it will not nec. give you a better chance of getting in, no. But I do know that at least, in England there are schemes in some colleges and universities that acknowledge a student's disability in relation to academic performance (for example, if a student has lower grades due to sensory issues) and so therefore, at least autism in that situation cannot lower a person's chances. Maybe you should research any similar schemes where you are.

^ I assumed the OP was American, which I probably shouldn't have. British unis definitely are more gracious about it- Oxford University in particular offered me a whole slew of accommodations right from the point of accepting me (which may have been influenced somewhat by AS), many of which I didn't even need. They were even willing to give me a guarantee that they would never do anything that would interfere with my schedule without giving me advance notice.

^ WOW!
hehe, oxford here I come ^-^ lol nah, i don't ant to be accepted becasue of my difficulties. It would make me feel like a fraud.

That probably has some truth to it, sadly. I'm deciding about whether to do this right now because I'm applying to PhD programs. Right now, admissions people will see that I did a project about ASDs, but they won't necessarily know why. A few places ask for some kind of diversity statement, and I have been thinking about mentioning AS. I'm really torn about whether this is a good idea or not. I don't want to be given any kind of advantage or disadvantage because of that. If anything, I think AS is an asset to my work. But, funding is a big issue, and I thought it might make people who give out fellowships pay more attention. Argh, it's complicated.

In the United States, colleges can't discriminate against people with disabilities; including autism. Saying you have autism won't improve your chances in comparison of a highly qualified student, but it will single you out from the other just qualified applicants. It wouldn't hurt, but don't expect it to be the sole thing to get you in. The best thing to do is to put it in your application essay or personal statement as long as it retains to the subject.

My gpa of 3.614 in high school got me into Mason along with a good score in ACT as well. My Asperger's Syndrome was mostly like not a factor in my admission process.

In theory this is correct. In practice it is impossible to prove that disclosing autism was the reason you were rejected.


I would advise against this. I talked about Asperger's in my personal statement in some of my applications, and I was not accepted into most of the schools I did that with. I was, however, accepted to every school I did not mention Asperger's to.

Well I'm in college.....

In the worst case, it cant hurt. If you don't have the grades or standardized test scores, it probably won't help your cause.