Header Media

Student in white t-shirt and light skin speaks into microphone while other panelists look on
Two adults smile behind a table with informational pamphlets and Play-doh cartons stacked neatly
A large group of students in A Better Chance shirts pose outdoors on stairs

What We Do

A Better Chance helps academically-talented students of color access the best educational opportunities for middle school and high school.

Our College Preparatory Schools Program (CPSP) nationally recruits, places, and supports students enrolled in grades 4 through 9 at more than 200 independent day, boarding, and select public schools.

Our 18-month application process begins with the application release on February 1 and concludes in August of the following year, by which time Scholars have been successfully placed and enrolled at one of our Member Schools. During these months, we select candidates, evaluate their strengths, and work with them to navigate the independent school application process.

We do not provide scholarships, but for over 50 years we have specialized in helping families navigate the admissions process for college preparatory schools in order to obtain a quality education - which includes orienting families to financial aid processes and leveraging scholarship funds on their behalf.

On average, it costs A Better Chance thousands of dollars to see each student successfully through our program. However, the services we provide to our families are free.

Smiling students walk down a shaded pathway, looking left
Several people stand looking at a resource table with a blue tablecloth and banner

Our application for the 2022-2023 school year is now closed.

Our new admission cycle for placement in the fall of 2023 will begin February 1, 2022.

To inquire about our program, you may do so by completing the inquiry form.

Please note that the inquiry form is not an application.

Inquire Now

The Stages in Our Process

Applicant
Applicant

4 Months

Applicants must establish their eligibility for the program through our rigorous application process and attend an information session as they work toward Candidacy. 

Read More about Applicant
Candidate
Candidate

14 Months

Candidates go through an intensive cycle of preparatory workshops on everything from essay-writing to mock interviewing. At the same time, A Better Chance works to connect each Candidate with their best fit Member Schools.  Candidacy ends upon a student's enrollment at one of these Member Schools.

Read More about Candidate
Scholar
Scholar

3-6 Years

A Scholar, once enrolled at a Member School, has access to incredible benefits.  These include summer abroad programs, support getting ready for college, and more.  Each Scholar is also part of an incredible network that celebrates together and supports each other.

Read More about Scholar
Alumni
Alumni

For Life

More than 16,000 trailblazing Alumni found a turning point in their lives through A Better Chance.  They are leaders across the United States, in every imaginable industry, and their influence has already been instrumental in shaping the world as we know it.  They are also part of a vital, supportive community.  

Read More

Read More about Alumni

Get to Know Our Current Scholars