Application Criteria & Process
Every winter The Upward Project recruits its next class of Scholars who attend a variety of high schools, but live in the Boston-metro-area.
If you are a student, contact your college access provider and ask them to nominate you. If you are a guidance counselor, please click on the “Nominate a Student” button below.
Eligibility requirements
We are looking for Scholars who are:
Academically high achieving
First-generation college students
Low-income
Matriculating to a selective college
nomination process
College access providers can nominate students by completing a short form. Once nominations are complete, we will follow up with a request for the following documents:
Transcript
School Profile
Guidance Counselor Recommendation
Teacher Recommendation
Student Strengths and Areas of Growth Questionnaire
application process
Selected students will go through a three-part application process that occurs in the spring of each year. The entire process generally takes 4-6 weeks.
Round One: Students fill out a written application and submit their SAT scores, resume, FAFSA EFC, and college essay
Round Two: Students provide video and written responses to a few questions
Round Three: A brief interview will be conducted with the student
“I’ve learned little things and big things: managing my time and finances, and also how to think about my future. It’s a lot less overwhelming than I imagined it would be without the support of The Upward Project.”
— Mirialie, Upward Project class of 2023