How to apply

In January of each year, A Better Chance, Inc., requests information from each program regarding the number of students to be selected and the grade(s) the students will enter. Additional selection criteria also may be included. In most years, A Better Chance Strath Haven accepts four students—two boys and two girls—for the freshmen class. The applications we receive from the national office are from students who want a boarding experience and are likely to have a successful educational experience at Strath Haven High School.

Usually in February, the program begins receiving applications from the national office. All applications are reviewed by the chairperson of the Selection Committee and the president of A Better Chance Strath Haven. Applications also are reviewed by the chairperson, resident director(s), and academic chairperson of each house, according to the applicant's gender. An applicant's writing samples, grades, test scores, and teacher evaluations are of primary importance in the review process. The applicant's citizenship status and the family's income level also are considered.

If the committee agrees that an applicant should be invited to participate in the Strath Haven program, the committee chairperson contacts the applicant by phone to extend the invitation. The phone call is followed by letters to the applicant, his/her parent(s), and the guidance counselor, giving more detailed information about the program, the community, and Strath Haven High School.

Applicants are given approximately three weeks to decide whether they will accept or decline the invitation to join A Better Chance Strath Haven. Students (and their families) are welcome to visit the program, at their expense, before making that decision. Students who decide to join A Better Chance Strath Haven attend a formal orientation program in May that enables the new students to meet the current students and staff members. They also spend a day at the high school, attending classes, planning their fall class schedules, and meeting students and faculty members.

Two ways to apply

1. Complete and submit the application online: A Better Chance uses infosnap to provide its online forms. In order to use infosnap's secure forms process, you will be asked to set up a Username and Password. Using your Username and Password, you will be able to save your information so you can complete or view it at a later time. Once your application has been submitted you will receive an e-mail confirmation notifying you that the application was received. If you have trouble with the online application link above, visit the A Better Chance national website.

2. Download the application: To view the application, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.  If you are able to view it but have trouble printing, save the document to your hard drive and try printing from there.  To download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit the Adobe web site: