Should I mention my IEP when applying to college?

I'm a junior with an IEP and I'm applying to colleges soon. Should I let colleges know about my IEP in my application? Will it affect my chances of getting accepted? I just want to make sure I'm making the best choice.

You bring up an important point about deciding what personal circumstances or challenges to disclose in the college application process. Generally, disclosing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in a college application is a personal decision and purely optional. It will not inherently harm or help your chances of admission.

When deciding whether or not to disclose your IEP, the main question you should think about is whether your IEP has shaped you in a way that's relevant to your college application. If having an IEP has contributed significantly to your personal growth, education experience, or intellectual curiosity, it might be worth mentioning. For example, if your experiences navigating and advocating for your education with an IEP have developed your problem-solving skills or independence, this could provide a unique angle to your statement or supplemental essays.

However, it's also worth noting that college admissions officers aren't educational support specialists—they won't necessarily understand the specifics of how your IEP impacted your academic journey without explanation. It's important that if you choose to disclose, you also provide context and explain its significance.

While colleges are prohibited by law from discriminating against students with disabilities, they don't directly consider IEPs in their admission decisions. The key is to focus on your strengths, accomplishments, and how you've overcome challenges—whether or not those challenges involve an IEP. It might be helpful to have a conversation with your school counselor about this to make an informed decision.

On a related note, when selecting a college, you'll want to ensure the institution has adequate support resources to help you succeed. This includes things like office hours, accommodations for assignments or exams, and other disability-related support services. You can usually find this information on the school's website or by contacting the school's admissions or disability services office.