The college search
Searching for the right college for you can be daunting enough, but it is even more so with allergies. In college, you most likely are not going to have a kitchen and are going to be reliant on the cafeterias for most of your meals. That’s why finding a school that can accommodate your allergies is vital.
In the talks I attended and conversations that I had with people, one topic that stood out was the importance of starting communication with the school about your allergies as early as possible. It was also recommended that you talk to disability services, first. If they try to send you to the dining services, insist on speaking with them, as they are going to be able to assist you better.
Just like any time you are requesting accommodations, lay out exactly what allergens you need accommodated. For example, if you have AGS, don’t just say, “I have a red meat allergy.” It will be more helpful to say something along the lines of, “I am allergic to mammal products, so pork, beef, dairy, gelatin, etc., plus agar and carrageenan.” That early communication will set you up for more productive meetings later on.
FARE also has a really good database of colleges and the accommodations they offer. It has been helpful when I have been researching schools so I recommend anybody looking for a comprehensive, but simple resource, take a look at that!
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In addition, here are some quick tips for when visiting or researching colleges:
Most colleges have a top 9 allergy free station. Be sure to find out where it is on campus. It may only be at one dining hall and may not be quickly accessible.
Inform yourself about where the emergency services (hospital, EMS, and health center) are located in case of an allergy emergency.
Some schools offer a service where they can connect you with a chef who is in charge of your needs and can accommodate them. Inquire as to whether or not the school you are interested in offers this.
Bring your own pots, pans, utensils, etc., and ask for your dorm to be near the kitchen. Make sure to only use your tools in the kitchen though!
Once in school, speak to professors about issues with your allergens in labs. Obviously, working with gelatin or agar in a lab would not work for those of us with AGS! Most professors will be accommodating, but if you run into problems, go to disability services and they can often help you!
Finally, search for food allergy clubs! They can be a great way to meet and connect with people who are experiencing similar things to you and who you can relate to!
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Questions to ask when visiting colleges (these questions are all courtesy of Sofia Salazar, a girl I met at the FARE Summit who had some great insights about searching for colleges with allergies):
Do you have a top-9 allergy free station?
Does it have a separate kitchen for it?
How often does the menu rotate?
Are there consistent chefs?
What is the serving protocol - do students get their plate or do the chefs serve the plate?
Are there packaged allergy-free foods nearby?
Does the school require a dining hall plan?
Do they have specialized meal plans and how do you get them?
Is there a student allergy support group on campus?
How many allergic students use meal plans vs use stations?
Are there stock EpiPens in the cafeteria?
Can cafe workers use EpiPens?
How many food-allergic students are at the school?