Colleges are reporting pronounced increases in students requesting disability accommodations, with elite institutions showing particularly large rises. Recent data and reporting indicate a substantial share of students at top schools now receive formal accommodations for conditions such as ADHD, anxiety and depression. The growth is attributed to reduced stigma, broader access to mental-health care, and expanded diagnostic pathways—but it has also sparked debate over the signal value of grades and academic rigor. Critics argue some families may be seeking diagnoses strategically to gain academic advantage in hypercompetitive settings. Campus accessibility offices are stretched by demand, prompting questions about staffing, verification standards, and consistency across institutions. The trend has implications for assessment, faculty workloads, and recruiter perceptions of credential signaling.