For many Singaporean students, gaining admission to elite American universities such as Stanford, Harvard, or Brown represents the pinnacle of academic success. But a recent account from a Stanford student has shed light on a less discussed aspect of campus life: disability accommodations that some students are strategically using to gain an upper hand.
Disability accommodations in US universities refer to academic adjustments (extended exam time or modified coursework) and privileges such as a private dorm room.
Elsa Johnson wrote about her experience at Stanford for The Times, and revealed that she herself registered a medical condition — endometriosis — as a disability in order to qualify for a private dorm room, something normally very difficult to obtain on campus. Her story illustrates a broader phenomenon at elite American universities where a growing share of students receive academic or housing accommodations.
When Nearly 40% of Students Register Disabilities
At Stanford, approximately 38% of undergraduates are registered as having a disability, according to recent reporting. That translates to roughly 2,850 students in an undergraduate population of around 7,500.
These registrations allow students to access a range of accommodations, including:
- Extra time during examinations
- Private testing rooms
- Flexible deadlines on assignments
- Copies of lecture notes
- Excused absences
- Housing accommodations such as single dorm rooms
Similar trends can be seen at other elite universities. More than 20% of undergraduates at Harvard and Brown are registered with disability services, and roughly one in five Harvard students received some form of accommodation last year, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The percentage of Harvard students receiving disability accommodations has risen from about 3% in 2014 to 21% in 2024.
What makes the numbers striking is that these rates are far higher than at community colleges across the United States, where only 3–4% of students typically receive disability accommodations.
The Benefits of Accommodation
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, universities are required to provide reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities so that they can access education on equal terms. Many accommodations are designed to address serious and legitimate conditions, including epilepsy, severe allergies, physical disabilities, or chronic illnesses.
Mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression can also qualify for support. However, Elsa noted that some of the “disabilities” students have claimed sounded quite ridiculous; these range from “night terrors” to “gluten intolerance” and some even go as far as saying they “get easily distracted” or “can’t live with others.”
This could be because the practical benefits can be substantial. Students granted accommodations may receive extra exam time – sometimes 50% longer or even double time! Those suffering from “social anxiety” can get out of participating in class discussions. Others may receive flexible attendance rules, extended deadlines, or even special testing environments.
Housing accommodations can be particularly valuable. At campus dorms where students often share rooms, a private room with a private bathroom can significantly improve comfort and privacy, especially when a student can have the same room for the entire duration of their studies.
A System Many Students Say Is Easy to Navigate
According to multiple reports, applying for accommodations was relatively straightforward. For Elsa, it was as simple as registering her condition online, and scheduling a consultation with a university adviser. After describing her symptoms, she was approved not only for a single dorm room, but also for additional allowances such as extra absences and flexibility on assignment deadlines.
She noted that the process involved little scepticism or questioning.
Because universities must avoid discrimination lawsuits and respect medical privacy, administrators are often cautious about challenging disability claims too aggressively. As a result, many requests are handled with a presumption of trust.
Students familiar with the system say that advice about how to apply for accommodations circulates widely on campus, much like tips about course registration or internship applications.
Optimisation in a Competitive Environment
At highly selective universities, students are accustomed to optimising every available advantage. From selecting the right courses to securing internships, strategic decision-making is part of the culture. Some students say the accommodation system has become another area where optimisation occurs.
Conditions such as anxiety or attention disorders can be difficult to verify objectively, which means universities rely largely on documentation and self-reporting. As a result, students sometimes apply for accommodations for relatively mild issues – difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, or dietary restrictions – that nonetheless qualify them for significant benefits.
In such an environment, declining to seek accommodations can feel like voluntarily accepting a disadvantage, especially when classmates receive extra time on exams or more comfortable housing.
The Argument in Favour of Accommodations
Supporters of the current system argue that the growth in disability accommodations reflects positive social change. Historically, many students with learning disorders or mental health conditions were either excluded from elite universities or forced to cope without assistance.
Greater awareness and reduced stigma have encouraged more students to seek help. Legal scholars such as Michael Ashley Stein note that universities have deliberately lowered barriers to accessing disability services in order to make campuses more inclusive.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to rising rates of anxiety and depression among young people, which may partly explain the surge in accommodation requests.
Why This May Surprise Singaporean Students
Singapore’s education system places strong emphasis on standardised examinations and tightly controlled testing conditions. Special accommodations typically require extensive documentation and are granted to a small proportion of students.
The American model reflects a different philosophy. Universities aim to provide flexible support for a wide range of individual needs, including mental health challenges and learning differences.
This approach has advantages, particularly for students who might previously have struggled without institutional support. But it also creates a system where academic conditions may vary significantly between students. For international students used to uniform examination rules, the adjustment can be surprising.
A System Built on Incentives
Elsa’s experience, including her decision to register endometriosis as a disability in order to secure a private dorm room, illustrates how incentives shape behaviour in competitive environments. When universities create systems that provide tangible advantages, ambitious students naturally learn how to navigate them.
For Singaporeans used to rigidly standardised academic rules, the lesson may be simple: getting into an elite American university is only the beginning. Understanding how the system works once you arrive can matter just as much.
