Applying to College as a Type 1 Diabetic

Beginning the college application process is undoubtedly overwhelming: from writing the perfect essay to figuring out FAFSA, knowing how (and where) to start is difficult. But, this recent high school graduate knew that deciding where to apply would be the most challenging part for him.

Introducing Garrett

Type 1 Diabetes (formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes) is an endocrine disease in which the pancreas slows — and then completely stops — producing insulin. This vital growth hormone converts sugar into energy for the body to use. Without it, that sugar accumulates in the bloodstream and can become harmful.

My brother Garrett Brown, a third-generation Type 1 Diabetic, was five years old when his life changed forever. Since then, his days have consisted of monitoring his blood sugar, administering insulin, and learning how to use the newest technology to make his life just a little easier. 

“It’s always difficult to navigate a normal life while having a giant tube sticking out of your body,” he says. “Having this disease has given me a different outlook on my life — everyone has their own unique issues that I can’t even begin to understand. I just have to persevere and make the most out of mine.”

In our family, addressing Type 1 has become second nature. Garrett, our father, grandfather, and younger sister live with the disease. Though it may mean uncommon mealtime rituals and lots of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) beeping, it also means community. “I’ll always have someone who 100% understands what I go through, regardless of how much anyone else thinks they know about the disease,” says Garrett. 

Top Priorities

In tackling the college application process, Garrett wanted to find that same level of community — which proved to be the deciding factor in his search.

“I liked that he was looking at schools within a reasonable driving distance to home but close to extended family in case of an emergency,” says our mother, Anne Brown. “I also wanted to see him land on a campus with a good hospital and pharmacy nearby, a supportive community, and a balanced culture.”

It also became important to find a school that wasn’t known for its “party culture.”

“I never had any huge reservations [about the college search process] other than the partying aspect,” he says. “Being a diabetic, my body can’t handle the types of things a normal fraternity would do to a rushing freshman.”

Additionally, Garrett has always loved to play basketball, though he knew he most likely wouldn’t play at the collegiate level. Instead, he focused on finding a school with a robust and challenging intramural program.

Regarding classes, Garrett’s wide range of interests has led him to pursue a liberal arts program that will allow him to decide his major later. It was important to him that his classes were small enough that his professors would — and could — work with him to accommodate his health needs. (Imagine your glucose monitor beeping in a large lecture hall.)

After months of research, Garrett and our family decided that the best fit for him would be a mid-size school with a strong community both inside and outside the classroom — a community that values all aspects of college life and a community that values him as an individual.

The Perfect Fit

Ultimately, his search led him to Ohio’s University of Dayton.

“The culture is all-around amazing,” says Garrett. “The staff has already done so much in helping me with my medical and personal needs and already has made me feel like a Flyer.”

In addition to the incredible support he’s already received from faculty, Garrett has cultivated a close-knit network of family and friends based in Ohio, including his two very best friends. “The support we’ve given each other over the years has been nothing less of a brotherly bond,” he says. “It was just the icing on the cake for me to find an amazing school so close to them.”

Since his acceptance at Dayton, Garrett’s life has centered on finding suitable housing and creating the best schedule for his medical needs. “The considerations were mainly for my diabetes,” he says. “I asked to be on a floor with vending machines, get my own personal fridge for snacks and insulin, and be close enough to the cafeteria so I could quickly grab something if my blood sugar was low.” 

Thanks to Dayton’s housing system, he’s also found a roommate who understands his circumstances.

“My advice to anyone going into the college process is to make an effort to find new people going to your school," Garrett says. “Instagram is a great resource.” He’s already formed relationships with other incoming freshmen before even stepping on campus!

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, attending college means that Garrett must manage his healthcare needs independently. Support from Dayton staff and our family is a resource he can utilize when he needs it, but he’s ready to take this next step in his journey. 

“I plan to do everything in my power to prove to myself that I can be an adult,” he says. “I’m ready to become who I know I can be, and I’m excited to navigate the bumps in the road.”

If you’re just beginning the college search process, check out TeenLife’s Guide to College Admissions. Don’t know where to start? Read this blog post to start building your list.

For more information and resources on Type 1 Diabetes, visit BreakthroughT1D.org.