OCD and the College Application Process - Obsessive-Compulsive ...

OCD and the College
Application/Selection Process:
Common Pitfalls, Strategies for
Success, and Case Studies
Saturday, July 28 - 2:00-3:45 pm
Jill Rickel, M.S.
Certified Educational Planner
Director, Academic Options

Deciding whether or not to go away: Pitfalls
Hoping that OCD does not follow you
Not recognizing the stresses of colleges
Believing that waiting a little longer will help you be
ready

Getting Help in Choosing the Right College
Recognize the limitations of high schools
New York, NY (PRWEB) March 16, 2011- According to
a US. Department of Education Guidance School
survey, over-stretched school guidance counselors
are only providing an average of 38 minutes of
college admissions advice per US high school
student.
Be armed to do your own research

Being aware of the most common difficulties
for college students with OCD
Sleep
Meals
Schoolwork
Class
Tests

Sleep: worries or ritual delaying bedtime or preventing falling asleep;
making lists, reviewing conversations to detect mistakes, checking and
placing items before allowing self to rest
Meals: missing meals, idiosyncratic or non-nutritious eating, eating in
isolation, not being able to make decisions when shopping for food
Schoolwork: obsessing over whether fully understand assignments, asking
long, odd, or overly detailed questions, annoying professors, obsessing
over "right" way to express thoughts in writing
In class: fear of stating something immoral or mistaken so say nothing,
worried others notice they are having problems
Tests: working too slowly, re-checking answers, being indecisive, intrusive
thoughts distracting self, overly sensitive to where others are sitting or
how they are moving, fear of germs
Social: hyper-morality, being too blunt or opinionated or no gray areasnot
being able to compromise, fear of magically ingesting drugs or
alcohol, fear of STD or other illnesses

Balancing on a Three-Legged Stool

Preparing for Support on Campus
Make support a part of the process

Competitiveness of College
• Where do I Fit in
• Competitive vs. Cooperative Campus
Academic Focus of College
• Group projects
• Class presentations/Discussions
• Writing or reading

Quality of Support Services on Campus
• Disability Support
• Counseling Center
• Support Groups
• Academic Support
Tutoring
Time Management
Study Skills
Writing Center

Campus Visits
• Make appointments with all departments
Locate Professionals off Campus
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapists
• Support Groups

When Should I Disclose
• In the Application
• Special Consideration
• The College Essay
• Explanation not Excuse
• Upon Admission

To Whom Should I Disclose
• Counseling Center
• Disability Support

How Do I Disclose
• Registration
Documentation
• Testing/Letter
• IEP’s and 504 Plans
• History
• DSM Diagnosis
• Impact on Functioning
• Recommendations for
Accommodations
• DSS Appointment

Why Should I Disclose
• Contact Person

Why Should I Disclose (Cont.)
• Academic Accommodations
• Extended Time, Note-Takers, Distraction Free
Testing, Priority Registration
• Housing Accommodations
• Explanation in Retrospect
Common Concerns
• Discrimination
• Privacy

Campus Visits
• Second Visit upon Admission
• Overnights
• Shadowing
• Visit DSS with Documentation
• May 1 st Deadline
• Is OCD Getting in the Way of the Decision

Comprehensive Academic Support Programs
Campus Based
Young Adult Post-Secondary Programs
Private Support Programs

Levels of Academic Support on Campus
©2007 Jill Rickel and Academic Options Weston, Florida

Therapeutic Support Programs
Young Adult Post Secondary Programs
Who they serve:
18-26 year olds
OCD and/or LD, ADHD, Asperger's, High Functioning
Autism, NVLD,
Self Esteem Issues, PTSD, Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder,
Failure to Launch
Substance abuse and more complicated psychiatric
disorders

Therapeutic Support Programs
Young Adult Post Secondary Programs (Cont.)
Length of Stay:
6-24 months typical – Most require a minimum stay
Students typically transfer to college of choice
following program
2 Therapeutic Models:
Coaching – experienced life coaches with outside
therapy available
Clinical – staff therapists; individual and group therapy
several times a week. Appropriate for students in need
of further treatment for OCD and related disorders.

Young Adult Post Secondary Programs (Cont.)
Program Highlights (programs vary and may not include all of
the following):
24/7 to complete independence at onset
Dorm, small house, or apartment living
Several college options, vocational, and high school completion
Academic tutoring and support
Educational/Career planning
Clean and sober environment - 12 Step, AA, NA
Work, Internships – coaching and placement
Social Skills and Social opportunities, Social Mentoring
Counseling – Individual and/or group
Independent Living Skills – household maintenance, budgeting,
cooking, shopping, mobility training, personal hygiene, sexuality…
Outreach – continued therapeutic support while student
transitions to independent, community based living

Therapeutic Support Programs
Young Adult Post Secondary Programs (Cont.)
Cost:
Costs vary depending on both length and type of program
Fees (program) not covered by insurance or financial aid

Case Studies
Melanie
Mary
Bradley

Melanie
12 th Grade - Large Public High School – Mostly A’s and B’s
GPA – 4.1
Class rank – 198/703
SAT – 1310
Accepted early decision to American University, DC
Parents came to learn about disability support services and the
process for getting accommodations on a college campus
Diagnosis – OCD, Asperger’s Disorder
Parent report – academically strong, has lots of friends but
doesn’t always want to be with them, needs to learn how to
handle college parties and Greek life
Psychologist Report– very rigid, obsessive food issues, fantastic
socially in public but unloads on parents, high academic
expectations, very hard worker, lots of support from mom, sees
her once to several times/wk depending on stress level

American University
Academic Support Center
The Academic Support Center (ASC) provides individual support
for all students at American University who are interested in
improving their academic skills
• Individual appointments with professional academic counselors
• Individual Writing Lab appointments
• Study Skills workshops
• Peer Tutor referrals
• Supplemental Instruction
• Services for International students, students with LD/ADHD, and student
athletes
The ASC provides academic support and assistance in arranging
for accommodations for students with documented learning
disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Entering freshmen with learning disabilities may be interested
in applying for transition support through the Learning Services
Program.

American University
Academic Support Center
Learning Services Program
The Learning Services Program in the Academic Support Center
has earned a national reputation for providing outstanding
service to students with learning disabilities for almost 25 years.
The Learning Services Program is a small, mainstream program
offering weekly individual meetings with the coordinator of the
Learning Services Program, specialized writing support in the
freshman writing class, assistance with accommodations and
technology, and free course content tutoring, as needed. It is a
one-year program for which there is a fee. After the freshman
year, the Academic Support Center continues to provide
assistance, as requested, until graduation.

American University
Disability Support Services
Students with physical, medical, sensory, or psychological
disabilities can work with Disability Support Services to
help them arrange for accommodations.

Private College Preparatory High School
1350 SAT
High GPA
Mary
OCD – Diagnosed at 7 years old, received years of intensive treatment, has
achieved control over her symptoms, aware of when symptoms are in need of
further treatment
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Difficulty in English Literature Honors class – staying up all night doing work
Diagnosed with reading disorder
Gets “stuck” when writing – OCD
Outstanding Resume – Varsity Swimming, Varsity Volleyball, School
Ambassador, Founded major fund-raiser for low socio-economic students,
Tutor, extensive community service, Latin dance, babysitter
Awards and Honors – Several academic and athletic awards
Outstanding Teacher Recommendations
Dream School – Boston College

Mary (Cont.)
Boston University - Accepted
Villanova University – Accepted
Fairfield University – Accepted
George Washington University – Accepted
Northeastern University – Accepted - $10,000/yr. Scholarship
American University – Accepted
Bentley University – Accepted
Bryant University – Accepted - $15,000/yr. Scholarship
BOSTON COLLEGE - ACCEPTED

Mary- 1350 SAT
Boston College
GPA – 95% have 3.75 or higher (unweighted, recalculated)
Mid 50 th Percentile SAT - 1250-1430
50% have between 1200-1399
36% have between 1400-1600
Villanova
GPA - 60% have 3.75 or higher, 23% have 3.5-3.74 (unweighted,
recalculated)
Mid 50 th Percentile SAT - 1200-1390
56% between 1200-1399
18% have between 1400-1600

Boston College – Support Services**
Disability Services Office
The office ensures that students with disabilities receive support services and
accommodations that permit equal access to all Boston College programs and the
opportunity to realize their potential and develop effective self-advocacy skills.
Boston College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and integrated
access for students with disabilities to all available academic, social, and recreational
programs and activities.
Writing support located in library
Website - “We are not a paper editing or proofreading service. Writing tutors are here to
help strengthen writing skills and not to fix papers for grammar mistakes”
OWL – Online Writing Support
Peer Tutors
**Boston College information is from Mary’s graduation year. BC currently has greater
levels of support for students with learning disabilities through Special Services at the
Connors Family Learning Center

Villanova University – Support Services
Learning Support Services (LSS)
Learning Support Services provides learning and study skills resources for all
students who wish to enhance their academic experience in preparing to meet
their educational goals. These services include weekly study skill workshops,
study groups and homework help sessions for selected courses, academic
coaching, accommodation support for students with disabilities, and study skills
consultation.
LSS is committed to providing “reasonable academic accommodations” for
students with learning disabilities, other neurologically based disorders, and
those disabled by chronic illnesses. Students with physical disabilities should
contact the office of disability support services.
Writing Center in Office of Learning Support Services
Website – “The Villanova Writing Center provides a comfortable atmosphere for
your one-to-one session with a qualified tutor. Bring your paper, assignment, and
an open mind and we'll do our best to help you improve your writing”
Trained peer and professional tutors
Overseen by Professional Support Services staff which includes a full time Special
Education Professional

Bradley
12th Grade - Small, alternative high school – left small private high
school due to intense anxiety
Present - Dual enrolled - high school and community college
Straight A’s in high school, High SAT scores
C’s in college classes
Very high IQ
OCD, Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder
Parent Report – looking for appropriate college match – isolates,
anger outbursts but only at home, untapped academic potential
Psychologist Report – Severe OCD - obsessive-compulsive features
(pacing and circles for extended periods of time) - High levels of
mood volatility – sadness, anxiety, social stress, sense of
inadequacy, hyperactivity

Updates on Case Studies
Melanie is entering her junior year at Florida Atlantic University.
She has moved from campus housing to her own apartment and
is successfully completing her BS degree. She is independent of
her family and maintains contact with her home treatment
team.
Mary is entering her senior year at Villanova University and will
be attaining a BS in Business. She has studied abroad in Spain
and has taken advantage of all that Villanova and Philadelphia
have to offer. Gretchen continues to reach out to her treatment
team to keep the symptoms of OCD and anxiety under control.
Bradley completed two years of a young adult post-secondary
program. He earned 30 college credits and returned home for
two semesters to complete his AA degree. He is now applying to
4-year universities throughout the US.

Jill Rickel, M.S., CEP
Academic Options
www.academic-options.com
jrickel@academic-options.com
954-843-9251