Should I put that I'm high-functioning autistic on my application?Answered
I am high-functioning autistic, and I've been doing some research about how this looks to colleges. I have found an almost even split between advice that says I should definitely add it to my application and advice that says I shouldn't tell schools unless I am already enrolled and on campus.
The reasoning behind these seem to be that I should tell colleges because it shows that I have been able to continue with everything I've done despite the struggle of autism and that I shouldn't tell colleges because they only want to see struggles that have been overcome, not struggles that never go away and may interfere with my ability to thrive in college.
I've been thinking about possibly making my experience with autism my essay topic, with the reasoning that if I do it correctly my being autistic will be seen in the way that I want colleges to see it, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea.
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
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3 answers
I would suggest you tell them, especially if you have ideas for writing your essay around it. Simply putting it on your application without elaboration would get you mixed responses, for exactly the reasons you mention, but if you can highlight it then I expect it would be a positive overall.
yes, but don't expect anything from it.
Yes, you should tell them!
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