Application

Applicants should meet the following criteria for eligibility:

• A documented diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disability as defined by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Between 18 and 26 years of age
• A graduate of an accredited high school and served under IDEA
• Minimum 3rd-grade reading level
• Knowledge of basic mathematics
• Ability to use a computer or tablet
• Ability to live in student housing during non-service hours
• Basic safety skills in unsupervised settings
• Ability to operate independently for a sustained period of time
• No significant behavioral or emotional problems that would impact school performance
• Desire and motivation to complete a postsecondary program

Consideration may be given to how the applicant’s background and life experience would contribute significantly to an educationally beneficial mix of students and their potential to make a contribution to campus life and community.

Note: Applicants will have typically received extensive special education services in their secondary schools, graduate (or graduated) with a special education diploma, certificate of attendance or alternative diploma and would be denied access to a traditional college degree program.

Documentation of an intellectual and/or developmental disability should consist of a comprehensive report that provides evidence of a currently existing impairment; background information, relevant testing, specific diagnosis, and interpretative summary.

The following guidelines are provided:

• Assessment: Testing must be current to represent the applicant’s aptitude as an adult (a maximum of three-years-old), and should address the following areas:

  • Cognitive Ability: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJ-Cog), the Stanford-Binet, Fifth Edition (SB-V), and the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test are acceptable. Other cognitive assessments must be approved by Excel at Georgia Tech

  • Achievement: The Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement (WJ-Ach), the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), or the Kaufman Tests of Educational Achievement (KTEA) may be submitted. Other achievement tests must be approved by Excel at Georgia Tech.

  • Social / Emotional Scales: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition or Adolescent Edition (MMPI-2 or MMPI-A), Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2), or the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) are acceptable. Other social / emotional assessments must be approved by the Excel at Georgia Tech. 

• Report: The results of these assessment tools should be presented in a thorough and comprehensive interpretative report (psycho-educational or neuro-psychological), that will include:

  • Recommendations for accommodations must be based on objective evidence or a substantial limitation to learning and be supported by test results and clinical observations.

  • Actual test scores must be provided, along with an interpretation of test results. Test protocol sheets or scores alone are not sufficient. WAIS-IV results must include subtest and index scores.

  • The evaluation must include and describe co-existing conditions such as mood, behavioral, neurological and/or personality disorders.

• Individual Education Programs (IEPs): IEPs should be provided, if available. IEPs do not, however always provide sufficient documentation to continue accommodations at the postsecondary level.

Excel at Georgia will conduct a comprehensive and individualized evaluation of each candidate’s application and supplemental documents to determine eligibility.  Admission to Excel at Georgia Tech is limited. Applications, including all documentation, must be received to be considered for admission to Excel at Georgia Tech.

Reference letters are extremely important, as these describe current levels of performance across many areas.

1. The applicant submits the application for review

2. Selected applicants will be invited to a 30 to 60-minute interview OR Applicants that are not selected receive a non-admittance letter

Note: Not all applicants who complete an application and meet the minimum criteria for admission will be selected for an interview. A decision for the appropriateness of each applicant’s participation will be based upon the review of the application packet.

1. Applicant Interviews

2. Selected applicants receive admittance letter OR Applicants that are not selected receive non-admittance letter

Note: Not all applicants will be accepted into the Inclusive Postsecondary Academy. A decision for the appropriateness of each applicant’s participation will be based upon the review of information in the application, recommendations, and interview.