What We Look For

Passion

Have you played basketball since you were six? Do you participate in a cultural tradition with your family? Do you volunteer at your local boys and girls club or make music with your friends on the weekends? We want to see your passions and how you’ve pursued them over the years!

Perseverance

Every student has to overcome obstacles. What are yours? How have you pushed past them?

Motivation and work ethic

Applying to college is a wonderful process, but it’s also hard work! Better Angels scholars are ready to put in the time and effort it takes to meet deadlines and honor their commitments to their futures.

Strong academics or a positive trajectory

We want to see that you’ve challenged yourself in the classroom and have done your best to meet those challenges. For those who struggled with school for a few years, we want to see a positive trajectory in your grades. For example, you worked hard to turn that C+ you got in Algebra 1 during your freshman year into a B+ in Geometry during your sophomore year!

Financial need

Having a shot at your dream school shouldn’t depend on your family’s financial situation. We’re here to help.

Apply

We are currently accepting applications from sophomores in the Los Angeles area. We can’t wait to meet you! Rising juniors may apply at any time, though we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have completed our selection process for our Scholar Program for rising seniors this year. Deadlines for our Scholars Program is May 1 by 9:00am PT.

*IMPORTANT: If you have accepted a spot in any of the following programs, you are NOT eligible to participate in Better Angels and should NOT fill out this application: QuestBridge, LEDA, One Voice, College Match, or MOSTE

This application does not allow you to save your work. You must complete it in one sitting. It is best to look at the application questions, write answers to longer questions on a separate document, and paste them into the application when you are ready to submit.*
- I understand.
Name*
First Middle Last
Preferred Name
Birth Date*
MM
DD
YYYY
School Name and Graduation Year*
Which Better Angels program are you applying to?
Home Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Email*
Phone*
Applicant's Citizenship*
If other, please explain.
Applicant's Place of Birth
My parents are:*
- Married
- Divorced
- Separated
- Never married
- Other
If other, please explain.
Parent/Guardian (1) Name*
First Last
Parent/Guardian (1) Citizenship*
If other, please explain.
Parent/Guardian (1) Highest Level of Education*
If other, please explain.
Parent/Guardian (1) Employer (please write "unemployed" if unemployed)*
Parent/Guardian (2) Name*
First Last
Parent/Guardian (2) Citizenship*
If other, please explain.
Parent/Guardian (2) Highest Level of Education*
If other, please explain.
Parent/Guardian (2) Employer (please write "unemployed" if unemployed)*
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Parent/Guardian Email*
Whose email is this?*
Parent/Guardian Cell Phone*
Whose cell phone is this?*
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Work Phone
Whose work phone is this?*
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Home Phone
List everyone who lives in your household, along with their ages.*
Example: mom (40), step-dad (45), brother (12), half-brother (19), grandpa (70)
List the name, age, and school of each of your siblings.*
Example: Brother: Julio Mendoza, 12, John Adams Middle School; Half-Brother: Juan Ferrera, 19, Cal State LA
Will you be a first-generation college student?*
Answer yes if neither of your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) graduated from a four-year college.
List top 3 colleges of interest*
Are there any circumstances that might hinder your ability to complete your college applications to the best of your ability this coming spring, summer, and fall?*
Rate the following statement: I am very good at managing deadlines.*
How did you hear about us?*
If other, please specify:
Do you have a working computer at home?*
Do you have consistent internet access at home?*
Demonstrate Financial Need
The following information will help us determine whether you qualify for our program and will assist us as we help you navigate the financial aid process.
Please tell us what your total household income was last year. (We will need a copy of your family’s official tax return to verify this information after you have applied.)*
Who claims head of household on their taxes?*
Do your parents file taxes separately?*
My family:*
- Owns our home/apartment
- Rents our home/apartment
- Lives with family members or others who own/rent their home/apartment
- Other
High School Transcript
Please upload your up-to-date, unofficial high school transcript. Mobile users, you may forward your transcript to info@bebetterangels.org
College Transcript
If you have taken any college courses during high school, please upload your up-to-date, unofficial college transcript. Mobile users, you may forward your transcript to info@bebetterangels.org
What is your weighted GPA?*
What is your unweighted GPA?*
List any AP classes you have taken so far, including current ones.*
Have you made a C in any college course? If so, please list the course name, start date, and end date.*
Please list your senior year classes, if you know them.
Standardized Test Scores
Please upload a screen shot of your up-to-date test scores (PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, SAT 2 Subject Tests). Please include all section scores. Mobile users, you may forward your test scores to info@bebetterangels.org
Please enter previous test scores (PSAT/SAT/ACT)*
Are you signed up/do you plan to sign up to take the official SAT this spring/summer? If so, please list the date.*
Are you signed up/do you plan to sign up to take the official ACT this spring/summer? If so, please list the date.*
Are you signed up/do you plan to sign up to take the official SAT Subject Tests this spring/summer? If so, please list the date and the specific subject tests.*
Activities
Please list activities in which you have been or are currently involved. Tell us how long you’ve been involved with each activity and what role you have played. The more details, the better!
For example:
• J.V. Basketball: captain, forward (grades 8-10)
• Babysitter: for 3 families in my neighborhood (grades 7-10)
• Family caretaker: watch my 2 siblings every day after school and on weekends; care for grandmother every week (grade 7-present)
• High School Academic Team: first underclassman to make team since 2007 (grade 10)
• DJ for local events: have done 3 birthday parties (just started in January)
What type of college application help, if any, do you receive from other organizations?*
Examples: College Bound Today, Gear Up, etc.
Interests
Please list 1. college majors, 2. careers, 3. future goals.
Work History
If you have or have had a job, please list it here, and include salary, dates, duties, hours, etc.
For example:
• Starbucks: Barista, $13/hour, Sept. 2015 - Jun. 2016, 20 hours/week
Summer Plans
Please list any confirmed or potential summer plans. For example, please tell us if you have a weekly commitment at a job, if you'll be enrolled in a summer program/taking a summer class, or if you'll be out of town. Make sure to include the dates/days (ex: July 12-20, or Monday & Wednesdays) and times (ex: 10am-3pm) if you know them.
*
Awards/Honors Received
Please list any awards or honors you have received in high school.
For example:
• Most Improved Player, JV basketball (grade 9)
• Honor Roll, (grades 9 and 10)
Your Story
Tell us your story. Who are you? What makes you different from your peers? What are your dreams? Include your family background and place special emphasis on obstacles you have overcome or are currently overcoming. (300-500 words. Do not let anyone proofread or edit your essay.)

*Please type and save your essay in Microsoft Word/Notepad/etc. first. Then, paste it into this textbox to avoid losing your work in the event of a technical malfunction.
File
I understand that Better Angels is a mandatory reporting agency that will help me contact the proper authorities if I disclose instances of abuse or neglect that have not previously been reported.*
- I understand.
I understand that Better Angels focuses on students who are enthusiastic about attending out-of-state colleges*
- I understand.
I understand that Better Angels expects me to be honest in this application and in future college applications, and that information I share with Better Angels will be kept confidential.*
- I understand.
I have saved my essay, awards/honors, work history, interests, and activities from this application in a document on a computer. I have worked very hard and don't want to lose such valuable work for my future college applications!*
- I have saved the relevant information from this application.

Better Angels is a 501(c)(3)

Questions? Email us at info@bebetterangels.org

Made with ♥ in Los Angeles, CA