Will getting accommodations for a disability hurt my chances at BSMD programs?

The short answer is: no. Needing accommodations for a disability should not hurt your admissions odds at BS/MD programs. Under federal law (both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act), colleges and universities are required to provide reasonable accommodations and cannot legally discriminate against applicants with disabilities. Your application will be evaluated based on your academic record, extracurricular achievements, essays, and other strengths, not on whether you use accommodations. In fact, typically, whether you receive extended time or other help in high school is confidential; admissions committees do not know unless you choose to share that information in your application essays or other materials. Even if you are planning to work with a college's disability office (which I strongly encourage!), you can always reach out after receiving admission—though it doesn't hurt to get an idea of what accommodations you'll get beforehand.

When it comes to including disability info in your application, ask yourself: is this relevant to my application? Does this help explain something about my record or my goals to the admissions committee? Is this the best use of this valuable real estate in my application?

If you do decide to discuss your disability in your application, the key is to present your story in a way that shows your resilience, self-advocacy, and ability to succeed despite challenges. For example, instead of focusing only on your need for extended time, you might write about a particular science project in which you developed creative strategies to learn material deeply, or talk about how using your accommodations taught you strong organizational skills that helped you lead a club or volunteer program.

BS/MD programs are rigorous and fast-paced, so they want students who have developed the self-awareness and independence to manage their needs effectively. If you show you’ve thrived with accommodations and advocate well for yourself, that can actually be a plus.

I've worked with students who have requested accommodations in high school, gotten extra time on standardized tests, and been open about their learning differences in essays—several were admitted to selective BS/MD programs. Colleges generally want a diverse student body and appreciate applicants who demonstrate perseverance and adaptability.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to the student affairs or disability services offices at the schools you’re considering. This can help you understand how supportive their environment is and how easy it is to set up accommodations once admitted. I've also had some students work with the disability office after acceptance to continue receiving their accommodations without issue.

At the end of the day, your demonstrated passion for science and medicine is what is most important, and in today’s admissions climate, I recommend focusing on the aspects of your application that you feel show off that passion loud and clear!