How to get into Landmark College
How to get into Landmark: the only accredited college built specifically for students with learning differences
49.4%
Acceptance rate
$66,540
In-state cost
What makes Landmark College admissions different
Landmark College is a small (~450 undergrad) private college in Putney, VT, founded in 1985 and uniquely designed for students with learning differences — dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum, and executive-function differences. Landmark is the only accredited college in the U.S. built from the ground up for this student population; every faculty member is trained in learning-difference pedagogy, every course uses Universal Design for Learning, and the support infrastructure (academic advising, executive-function coaching, peer mentors, integrated counseling) is institutional rather than add-on. The school offers associate and bachelor's degrees across the liberal arts, business, and sciences. Cost is high but the value proposition — for the right student — is unmatched.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through Landmark's institutional online application. The application includes documentation of learning difference (psychoeducational evaluation, IEP, 504 plan, or similar diagnostic record).
- 2.
Submit the psychoeducational evaluation with supporting documentation. Landmark uses this to design the academic support plan, not as a gating criterion — admission is based on academic fit and self-advocacy readiness.
- 3.
Write the personal statement around self-knowledge of your learning difference, what's worked and what hasn't, and what you're hoping for from a college built around your learning needs. The essay is read for self-awareness more than polish.
- 4.
Visit campus if at all possible — Landmark hosts visit days and the campus culture is the institutional differentiator. Applicants who visit consistently report the experience as decisive.
- 5.
Plan for cost. Landmark's tuition is high (sticker COA above $80,000); financial aid is need-based and merit awards exist but the school does not meet full need. Run the net price calculator and discuss with the financial aid office before committing.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
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Applying without the diagnostic documentation. The documentation is essential to the support plan, not optional.
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Treating Landmark as a generic small college. The institutional design — every faculty member trained in LD pedagogy, every course designed for cognitive accessibility — is the entire value proposition; applicants who don't engage with that miss the point.
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Underestimating cost. Landmark is among the most expensive small colleges in the country; aid is need-based and limited.
The specifics for Landmark College
Application deadlines
- Rolling applicationRollingApplications reviewed on a rolling basis; earlier applicants get better consideration for fall and spring starts.
Supplemental essay prompts
- Documentation of learning difference (psychoeducational evaluation, IEP, 504 plan, or similar diagnostic record).Required. Used to design the academic support plan rather than as a gating criterion.
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Only accredited college designed specifically for students with learning differences ↗
Landmark is the only accredited college in the U.S. built from the ground up for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum, and executive-function differences. Every faculty member is trained in learning-difference pedagogy and every course uses Universal Design for Learning.
Institute for Research and Training
Landmark's Institute for Research and Training conducts research on learning differences and trains educators across the U.S. — the research arm reflects the school's institutional depth in LD pedagogy.
What graduates actually do
Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, is one of only a handful of colleges in the country designed exclusively for students with learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum). Graduates leave with both academic credentials and self-advocacy skills that translate into careers in design, technology, the trades, and entrepreneurship. The college's Institute for Research and Training is a national leader in neurodivergent-affirming higher education.
Transfer pathway
Landmark accepts transfer students who have struggled at traditional colleges due to learning differences, with no minimum GPA — the application focuses on the fit between the student's profile and Landmark's specialized support model. Many students transfer in after one or two semesters elsewhere. Credits transfer in liberally given Landmark's individualized academic plans.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App (supplements re-verified this pass). Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Landmark admits students who self-advocate, have documentation of a learning difference, and demonstrate readiness for college-level work with appropriate support. The fit question — both academic and financial — is the central question; visits and conversations with the admissions and financial aid offices are essential.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.