Admissions FAQs

Visit What We Provide to see a full list of benefits.

No. We are not a scholarship organization, however, many of our Member Schools offer need-based financial aid based on specific guidelines and each family’s financial situation.

No. Information sessions are not mandatory. They are an opportunity for you to learn about our program from an A Better Chance representative.

Learn More and Inquire

Applying early decision allows a family to receive a decision on their A Better Chance Application in early/mid-April (early decision) rather than in mid/late June (regular decision). For more information on early decision versus regular decision and the benefits to applying for one versus the other, please see the “A Better Chance Application Components.

A Better Chance Application Components

The A Better Chance application is free. However, there are costs associated with test registration, test prep, and financial aid applications. During the Candidate phase, we provide fee waivers for families who meet our income eligibility.  

The A Better Chance application is self-monitored. You will be able to view the status of your application through your online portal. Review our Online Application Guidelines and FAQs for instructions

Complete applications receive a decision in mid-June.

Our main method of communication is email. During the application process, A Better Chance will send communications about upcoming information sessions, the release of the application, and missing items. Be sure to use a personal email address that you check regularly when beginning the application process, check your junk/spam, and add admissions@abetterchance.org to your email contacts.

We use income as a criterion for eligibility in order to best serve those in need of our services. Additionally, we use your financial information to make determinations about eligibility for our Community Schools Program and fee waivers for testing and financial aid applications. If you have questions about income, please contact admissions@abetterchance.org.

No, there isn’t a specific cut-off score to determine who is eligible for A Better Chance. You are evaluated on all of parts of the application.

There is no interview required for this part of the application process. If you are accepted to the program, you will participate in mock interviews and conduct official interviews for your referred school(s).

You will be expected to attend one week of summer programming and other scheduled workshops during the application process. These dates will be sent to you after you submit the online application.

A Better Chance candidates take the SSAT and/or ISEE exam beginning in September. Information about which test to take and how to register are provided ahead of time.

Test prep services are available through A Better Chance, but are not mandatory. You may access other test prep services independently.

A referral is a school(s) that we believe is a good match for you based on your activities, interests, and strengths. We send your application only to these schools and advocate (highlight your strengths and potential) for your placement there.

This begins in the fall, after students complete supplemental requirements and take the SSAT/ISEE.

A Better Chance hosts a financial aid workshop during the candidate process with information on how to apply, when to apply, and how financial aid is determined by schools. However, we encourage you to do your own research as well.

Click Here to Read "Understanding Private School Financial Aid," from AdmissionsQuest