A Better Chance Program - Middle Grades

I have a feeling that it’s because they extended the deadline by two weeks at the last minute. It would make sense then. I’m trying to get ready to head out on vacation so I have enough to keep me busy right now, thank goodness – will be sure to let you know the outcome, either way!

That’s right they did extend the deadline by two weeks. I wondered why they did that and whether they did not get enough applications but I don’t think that was the case. It just seems like it penalizes the people who completed everything early or on time and now we are still at the mercy of this extension. Hoping for good news for all of us on CC!

We received notification today that our child has officially made the cohort! @magnetnh, did you receive word yet? This took me completely by surprise! Positive vibes for you!

@SkysTheLimit2007 Thanks for alerting me. I just checked and we made it too. Yay!

Congratulations!!! We have our official scholar welcome this weekend. Wish you both success this fall and hoping that you can find great placement for your kids.

I’m curious to hear how the prep goes over the summer. I have another son who will be applying in the next cycle.

@momto4kids I will let you know how the prep goes over the summer and any other milestones in the fall. Thanks for all the information you provided. Enjoy the scholar welcome!

@magnetnh Congratulations! This is all so exciting and I’m thrilled for my kid! By coincidence, I took her to one of the local member schools on Tuesday to tour it and she absolutely fell in love with it. Now I’m really hoping that ABC sees her as a good fit and refers her in the fall, it would be amazing! I’m assuming that they will move the parent meeting to a different date since there was supposed to be one this weekend? If they delayed decisions then I’m sure that’s the deal. Looking forward to the next steps!

@Momto4kids Thank you! Have fun meeting new scholars this weekend!

@SkysTheLimit2007 What will you do regarding SSAT prep? We completed all assignments and the ones available are for purchase. Not sure if they will assign more sections for completion.



@Momto4kids Did you purchase sections from the online SSAT offered by ABC?

@magnetnh I’m not entirely sure yet about the SSAT but will likely purchase some to keep up skills over the summer. I’m wondering what to next expect from ABC in terms of prep, etc. My child actually enjoyed doing the homework, probably because it was in her own time and speed. Now that there’s an acceptance to the cohort the stakes are higher so we’ll need to keep her up to speed during the next couple of months. We’re just heading out on vacation for a couple of weeks, so will take a break and get back in earnest at the beginning of July.

We did a test prep program through test innovators which was offered through ABC. He had assignments each week as well as a number of full length tests. He didn’t get through it all, but it was a lot.

We had our scholar welcome today and it was a really nice time. Our group isn’t a huge one and it was great to meet the kids and families and see where they are going in the fall. My son is looking forward to orientation in a couple of weeks. It was good to hear about the involvement ABC will have throughout the high school years.

@Momto4kids Glad you had a good time! It’s exciting to hear what will be in store for us in the not too distant future. Did your son meet any kids going to the same school? That would be pretty neat!

Yes, he met another boy going to his school. We actually met a few weeks ago at placement testing. It definitely helps to know someone going in. They will be going to New York for orientation in a couple of weeks and that will also be nice for him to spend the time with someone he knows.
They gave us a list of the whole Northeast region scholars and where they are placed. Interesting to see which schools have kids. I was surprised by the figures given to us about placement. About half of the kids referred are placed in member schools. Makes me feel happy and grateful that he got this far. We’re looking forward to seeing what opportunities he will have going forward!

That’s just wonderful! I wish your son nothing but the best on the journey ahead! It’s most definitely something to be grateful for and I’m sure he’ll do you proud! About how many kids are there in your NE cohort? Any schools with more than two scholars? Also, what did he have to do for the placement testing? Without giving away your location, is NY close to you – somewhere your son has to go alone or as a family? Questions, questions!

I am so grateful for this thread! It is really exciting reading about your experiences and what may be in store for my D!

@SkysTheLimit2007 I will have D continue with review of the Test Innovators assignments with her tutor. I will PM you with a suggestion about finding a tutor should you be interested.

@Momto4kids It sounds so exciting for your S! I am glad that there is a buddy at his school. If I remember correctly your older S is a rising senior and will be applying to college, but I think you said is school is helping out. My S18 will be in full swing college mode but since he is in a public school it’s up to me to help. It will be a challenging and exciting year with both kids looking at major milestones.

hi! i am so happy someone finally decided to bring ABC up!

i went through the program last year, also apart of the NE cohort. i applied my 8th grade year(last year) for ABC, meaning i’m applying for schools in my sophomore year((which i am now going into)) as the program runs for two years. i was accepted into the cohort. i can tell you that the test prep, test innovators, is really helpful for most people. i had to use it, and i loved using it for the english & writing prep. math however, i preferred to use the test prep books instead.

as far as admissions go, ABC advocates for you, and gives you a greater chance of being accepted into schools. that being said, not all people accepted into a cohort get a school.

in terms of financial aid, though ABC works with you and the school, there isn’t a set chance of you getting a good award, or any at all.

@sobrooksgirl were you accepted into a school? I don’t want to assume given your name? My son was in the same cohort and was accepted as a new scholar.

@sobrooksgirl Thanks for sharing your experience! How was the week program over the summer? If possible, please tell us what specific items ABC helped you with to make a difference. Were you placed in a school of your choice?

@Momto4kids I was accepted into a school on M10, but unfortunately due to financial aid I was not able to attend. But I kept in contact with ABC, and in early May, I had another interview with a school in Maine. I was accepted into that school, and because they’re transitioning with a new headmaster, I’m waiting to hear back from them about financial aid, which is all I need. If I don’t receive a substantial award, I am planning on calling back ABC and trying to get in a community school(which if you don’t know, is when you and a few other students live in a house and attend a highly ranked public school).

@magnetnh no problem!! but are you talking about the workshops? or the week in the summer where the scholars go to a hotel and do lots of fun stuff & orientation (something like that, for the school they’re going to). if you’re talking about the workshops, they are really fun and helpful for the application process. you really get a headstart on things. they base the recommendations for prep/community schools on your ABC application, and your SSAT. they really work with the schools, but personally for me I believe it was my extra curricular (i pursue track. theatre & writing, and i play a few instruments as well as my personality factored into it). I can’t say I was placed in a school of my choice, not yet at least.

Both of you really shouldn’t worry too much, they have a few parent workshops mixed into the student workshops, which detail majority of what you need and your worries. good luck in the process, and congrats!!

@sobrooksgirl I am sending good vibes your way for good news on placement soon! My state has some great community schools so that would be great. Also, I have heard amazing things about the one in Wellesley Mass which is an all girls house community school. When will you hear back from Maine? What I am most glad to hear is how receptive ABC is that you were able to go back for new placement. Another parent on this thread shared a similar story where they reached out back to her for placement. It seems like they really want it to be a win win.

@magnetnh thank you!! ii’ve heard all about the community schools there, as well as the ones in connecticut (they referred me to one in CT, but at the time we overlooked it as we got four other prep school referrals). ABC does really want you to get a school, they try all outlets possible. also, i hear back from Maine by or after july 5th.