Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
College admissions coaches provide personalized guidance on developing a college list that fits you best, offer feedback on college essays, extracurriculars that enhance candidacy building and personal development, and college application timelines to help students submit their strongest college applications.
By enhancing academic profiles, test scores, essays, and extracurriculars, college prep programs help students stand out in a competitive pool.
The Opus College Prep team offers personalized attention with small student caseloads, dedicating many hours to tailoring guidance for each college-bound student and family.
Yes, college admissions consultants provide expert advice on finding scholarships, completing financial aid forms like FAFSA and CSS Profile, and identifying funding opportunities to reduce the cost of college.
Counseling is worth it if you need guidance in developing a college list for right-fit schools, navigating the college process, developing college essays that shine, or maximizing your chances of admission and scholarships, saving time and stress while achieving your goals.
Opus works with your student to create a personalized roadmap for their education. We make sure they’re selecting the courses that challenge them, meet college admissions requirements, and enrich their skills. We also point them toward the prerequisite classes for the junior and senior year-level courses that spark their interest.
Standardized test scores play a significant role in college acceptance—and those tests are now on the horizon. We help students prepare for the SAT and ACT by reinforcing the exact kinds of reading, writing, math, and critical analysis these tests evaluate. By the time test days roll around, we want your student to feel ready to demonstrate their academic skills.
High school offers an abundance of opportunities for teamwork and personal growth. Now is the time to identify the organizations your student wants to be involved in—and think about the best ways to communicate their participation and achievements throughout the college admissions process.
Our admission consulting services dive deep into talking to students bout their passions and exploring what makes them tick! Even the most niche or idiosyncratic interest usually correlates with an extracurricular activity that bolsters students’ abilities in and out of the classroom. These extracurriculars may be school-sponsored or they may take place independently of school. The important thing is knowing how to leverage them.
Opus helps students capitalize on their passions and start pursuing their dreams. Opus College Prep coaches direct students toward internships and admissions-related opportunities they can use to round out college plans and begin their career preparation!
Students appreciate having an advocate who helps them stay on track. We provide one-on-one assistance to students as they apply for contests, awards, grants, scholarships, and more. Students and families can reach out to us for private consultation via video chat, phone, text, or email.
Opus evaluates your essay content, reviews your essays for grammar and clarity, and helps you strategically make a case for why you should be admitted to a particular institution. We will help you develop a clear and concise resume that reflects your experiences both inside and outside the classroom. The college interview can be an important factor in transfer admissions. Therefore, we provide extensive coaching that includes mock interview sessions designed to equip you with a benchmark level of comfort and confidence for interview day.
Our admissions experts review your application in the context of your unique profile and experience. We analyze your academic, cultural, and professional background and help you position your strengths in a way that is perfectly tailored to each of the schools you’ve chosen to apply to.
Services
We help students with candidacy building and the college admissions process, college personal statements, supplemental essays, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, application forms, and financial aid forms. We work to improve student candidate profiles, focusing on building extracurricular and academic profiles that can benefit students the most in college admissions.
By focusing on activities that reflect your passions and leadership skills, Opus College Prep helps you stand out with a unique, compelling extracurricular story.
Effective test prep includes personalized tutoring, targeted practice, and learning test-specific strategies—services provided by Opus College Prep.
Yes, Opus College Prep guides international students through U.S. college applications, from essays to understanding the admissions process and meeting requirements.
Yes, graduate school applicants can benefit from our coaching, which includes essay editing, school selection, and application strategy for programs like law, MBA, or medicine.
Yes, we assist with AMCAS applications, personal statements, secondary essays, and interview preparation to improve your chances of acceptance into medical school.
Application Process
A standout essay should showcase your unique personality, experiences, and values, connecting them to the school’s mission while being authentic and well-written.
Recommendation letters provide insight into your character, achievements, and potential, often playing a crucial role in shaping how admissions officers view your application.
Early Decision is binding, committing you to one school if accepted. Early Action is non-binding and allows you to apply early to multiple schools. Regular Decision offers the most flexibility with standard deadlines.
Each student should tell a story only they can tell. Colleges focus on authenticity. Answer each prompt directly, and ensure your essays complement each other to showcase different aspects of your personality and achievements.
Avoid procrastination, submitting generic applications, neglecting supplemental essays, or overlooking application requirements and deadlines.
Timeline & Readiness
Serious application preparation usually begins during junior year. Check out our personalized college preparation program for 9th and 10th grade.
Focus on excelling academically, exploring interests through extracurriculars, building relationships with teachers for future recommendations, and starting to research potential colleges.
It’s not too late! Seniors can focus on finalizing their college lists, crafting strong essays, preparing for deadlines, and ensuring their applications highlight their best qualities. Opus College Prep offers comprehensive 11th and 12th-grade college services.
Students should start preparing 6–12 months before their planned test date, typically beginning sophomore or junior year, depending on their academic readiness and college goals.
Parent Involvement
Parents can provide emotional support, help with organization, encourage time management, and assist in researching colleges or reviewing application materials.
By focusing on the student’s interests and aspirations while maintaining open communication, Opus College Prep experts ensure parental input complements rather than overrides student goals.
Parents can use reputable college admissions blogs, official university websites, webinars, and guidance from admissions consultants to stay updated on trends and requirements.
Success Metrics
96% of students coached by Opus College Prep are admitted to one or more of their top three college choices.
Yes, Opus College Prep provides college admissions testimonials and college coaching success stories that highlight how our tailored guidance has helped students achieve admission to prestigious universities.
Success in college admissions is measured by students gaining acceptance to schools that align with their goals. At Opus, this means a 5-7x higher acceptance rate and a 96-98% chance of admission to one of their top three choices, alongside the confidence and skills they build through the process.
Pricing & Guarantees
The cost depends on the level of support needed related to essay assistance, test prep, or comprehensive admissions guidance, as well as the duration and intensity of the program.
No. Results depend on various factors beyond our control, such as competition and admissions criteria, but Opus College Prep strives to maximize each student’s chances.
Admissions decisions are influenced by many factors beyond coaching, and guaranteeing results would be misleading and unethical. Instead, Opus College Prep focuses on helping students present their strongest applications. Opus College Prep follows the ethical guidelines set out by IECA and NACAC.
Trends and Special Cases
The process has become more competitive, with a greater emphasis on holistic reviews, test-optional policies, demonstrated interest, and unique personal narratives.
Myths include needing a perfect GPA or test scores, attending only elite high schools, or participating in countless extracurriculars. Colleges value authenticity, applicant fit, and unique applicants.
Opus College Prep helps highlight unique experiences, interests, or skills. We guide students in candidacy building and developing meaningful activities while crafting compelling essays that showcase their individuality.
Focus on strengthening other aspects of the application, such as essays, extracurriculars, recommendation letters, and achievements that highlight academic and personal excellence.
No. Many colleges like Dartmouth, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, and UT-Austin are returning to requiring standardized exams like the ACT and SAT.
How does Opus College Prep stay updated on trends in college admissions?
Specialized Topics
Opus College Prep guides student-athletes by guiding students to craft athletic resumes, advising on coach communication, and ensuring NCAA eligibility for a competitive recruitment process.
Opus College Prep helps performing arts students prepare standout audition portfolios, interviews, and applications that showcase their creative achievements and talents.
Opus College Prep admissions coaches help highlight your unique projects, awards, summer programs, and experiences. We guide you to join invaluable summer programs and develop tailored essays and activities that align with your chosen field.
Opus provides comprehensive transfer services, including identifying schools that fit you, academic curriculum advice, essay, resume, and interview preparation, personalized guidance, support with professor recommendation letters, and 1-on-1 assistance.
College Fit & Research
Consider factors like academic programs, location, size, campus culture, and financial aid. Opus College Prep helps you evaluate these to find the right match.
Your list should balance reach, target, and safety schools, focusing on academic programs, academic fit, extracurricular opportunities, and long-term goals.
Yes, Opus College Prep identifies programs and institutions that align with your career aspirations, academic strengths, and personal preferences.
Opus College Prep guides you in using resources like campus visits, virtual tours, admissions events, and personalized outreach to learn about colleges.
Additional Questions
Use resources such as official college websites, virtual tours, the College Board’s BigFuture, and rankings sites like U.S. News. Opus College Prep provides expert guidance for tailored research.
Practice answering common questions, research the school thoroughly, and prepare examples of your achievements and interests. Opus College Prep provides coaching to boost confidence and refine responses.
Focus on finalizing your college list, working on essays, participating in meaningful extracurriculars and summer programs, and preparing for standardized tests.