Society often revolves around social constructs, perceptions, and opinions. This is evident in the global obsession with university rankings, and there are plenty to name: U.S. News and World Report, Niche.com, Time Higher Ed, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, QS World, Leiden, Eduniversal, and more. With all the noise, it can be hard to block rankings talk out of the college search process. However, when working with twice-exceptional students, I encourage families to throw the rankings away.
Every 2e student has unique needs, which institutions may or may not be able to accommodate. With over 4,500 universities in America and more overseas, parents have many options beyond those schools that tend to dominate the college conversation. Many of these options are just as prestigious as highly ranked schools, but also provide a uniquely supportive atmosphere for 2e undergraduates. Below are several of these options, organized according to the category of student need.
For the bright student with executive functioning deficits, balancing multiple courses may be difficult. Consider exploring universities that only offer one course at a time such as Colorado College, Cornell College, or Spaulding University. These universities offer block scheduling, which enables students to take just one or two classes during a fixed period — often three to five weeks — while covering an entire semester’s worth of material. This approach may allow students to focus better and not be distracted or worried by having to complete work for multiple courses at one time.
For the bright student who needs movement and/or has sensory processing issues, a working college may be a great fit, as heavy work — activities that push and pull against the body — can help students regulate and therefore can lead to increased focus. There are a handful of working colleges in America which place a heavy emphasis on integrating the work experience into the classroom experience. One of the biggest side benefits of a working college is they allow the experience to become affordable for families, as the work done by students often comes in the form of financial aid. Universities such as College of the Ozarks and Berea are great examples of working colleges.
For the bright student with testing anxiety, families can explore test-optional schools. These institutions accept applications without ACT or SAT tests. For students who dread sitting at a table or computer for at least four hours, these schools provide access and reduce stress. However, be sure to visit each school’s website and read the test-optional policy, as there may be GPA requirements or additional portfolio requirements in place of the test. To see a list of test-optional schools, go to fairtest.org.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Each 2e student is unique with gifts and talents to bring to the world. By throwing away the rankings and preconceived notions, families can find meaningful and empowering opportunities[/perfectpullquote]
For the bright student with autism, there are some amazing universities to consider. Due to some great research from Top College Consultants, there is now a comprehensive list (updated yearly) to review. Some of my personal favorites on the list are Dean College, Drexel, Kent State, Marshall University, and Marist College. Since 2e students with autism also have varying needs, it is important to investigate the types of services provided by contacting the appropriate department. Some students may only need some social support, others will need one-on-one tutoring, and others may need a learning specialist on staff.
For 2e students needing a year of preparation, there are always community/junior colleges out there to prepare them for the next step in their educational journey. Unfortunately, rankings do not capture these institutions despite the work and value they bring to communities. Some of my favorite junior colleges for 2e students include Northern Virginia Community College and Nassau Community College. Students also can engage in meaningful gap years, but it is important to plan early and according to a student’s interests and needs.
Each 2e student is unique with gifts and talents to bring to the world. By throwing away the rankings and preconceived notions, families can find meaningful and empowering opportunities. If needed, I encourage families to reach out to ethical and informed professionals including independent education consultants who are members of either the IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) or HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association) for personalized guidance, coaching, and advice.
At the end of the day, families should look for the best fit for their situation and stay true to their values and the academic capabilities of their students. Great care must be taken to ensure a proper academic, social, and emotional fit, and that is something only diligent research, not rankings, can provide. 
