Best pre-med universities for a deaf college undergraduate?

[DestorDrexler]

I have been intimidated and coerced by my deafness all of my life, and after a 2 year lay-off from my local community college (I am 22 years old now), I have decided to take control in my life, and inspire to become a Psychiatrist.
What are the universities that offer the BEST pre-med programs in the NJ/NY/Washington area (or anywhere else in the nation for that matter) for a college undergraduate looking to get into Psychiatry?
I have been diagnosed with bilateral profound sensoneural hearing loss all of my life, and am considering the deaf university located in the Washington D.C, Gallaudet, to make communication difficulties easier for me since I wear hearing aids and primarily lip read to communicate with others. I am also looking at the possibility of moving to texas for 100% tuiton exemption covered by the state for my deafness. I am trying to decide if I should stay here in NJ and use the Vocational Rehabilitation for the deaf, which is a program to cover a max cap of 5,000 dollars a semester, or to get 100% exemption in Texas (which I would have to live in), away from my family for quite some time.
What do you all analytically discern as the most benefical option in my situation?
I apperciate everybodys' responses in advance with the best of my gratitude!

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[HurricaneKatt]

I don't know very much as far as answering your question goes, I am sorry. I just wanted to say though that your story is pretty inspirational and good luck! I hope that you find the best program and that it all works out for you! 👍

 

[ONYX4000GT]

At the Georgia Institute of Technology, I get paid to take notes for a person with a disability. We both take the class together. Its completely anonymous. The only people that know that Im taking notes for someone else is me and the person Im taking the notes for. I also get paid for it. 👍

 

[bcat85]

That's awesome.. Congrats and good luck. Just one thing though. psychiatry? That seems like a.. listening intensive specialty? How do you see yourself approaching that?

 

[ar2388]

the 100% thing sounds pretty nice.... and then maybe getting into a texas med school would also be pretty sweet...

 

[mdmdt]

At the Georgia Institute of Technology, I get paid to take notes for a person with a disability. We both take the class together. Its completely anonymous. The only people that know that Im taking notes for someone else is me and the person Im taking the notes for. I also get paid for it. 👍

I do the exact same thing at the University of Oregon and have for a few years.

The fact is that many, if not most, universities have finally stepped up to the plate as far as providing equal communication access for people in situations like yours - and all for free. I would strongly recommend that you go into the college search as any hearing person would, considering the academics, class sizes, location, cost, etc. first. Then once you have a short list, see what each has to offer as far as disability support services. Like I said, I work with deaf people all the time in a standard university setting and they thrive both academically and socially. So pick whichever one you like best.

Also! If a university you really love does not offer adequate support services, just say something! Communication access is a legally-guaranteed right, and chances are the reason a good system isn't in place is just because no one's asked. It's really easy to set up a program like the one I work for. Plus it could make a great secondary essay to talk about how you were the catalyst for an overhaul of your school's disability services 🙂

 

[shiftingmirage]

Can't really help with undergrad, but for med school, Texas has numerous in state schools that heavily favor in state residents and instate tuition at Texas med schools is often $12,000, which for med school...is cheap! Consider going to Texas to establish residency for applying to med school. Also, I am sure someone, if not everyone in a class will let you borrow their notes considering your situation.

 

[deleted74029]

In todays age most professors use powerpoints anyway, which should help you quite a bit with notetaking.