Vassar College requires recent documentation of disability provided by a licensed professional.  What is considered recent documentation varies with each disability.  For learning and attention deficits, AEO will accept documentation from when the student was in high school or documentation that was conducted within the last three years.  Although documentation form middle school is too old, AEO considers this a starting point.  In other words, provisional accommodations for such persons will be provided; however, reevaluation is necessary.  For chronic medical conditions, diagnosis and a history of accommodations are important to AEO.  For both chronic medical conditions and psychiatric disorders, the most recent possible documentation is requested.  The main thing AEO is looking for is documentation is why an accommodation or service is necessary.  Documentation must show a functional limitation.

The cost of obtaining documentation is the responsibility of the student.  Individualized Education Plans (IEP), high school 504 plans, or brief notes written by a physician are all not acceptable forms of documentation.  IEPs and 504 plans are not acceptable because the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act does not protect post secondary students the way it protects K-12 students.  A prior history of accommodations is also not enough to warrant college accommodations.  Many students do not register with AEO because they are unable to afford the cost of obtaining documentation.

The AEO website lists specific guidelines for documentation of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, medical disabilities or chronic health impairments, and psychological disabilities.