About Prepory College Counseling
for Iowa students
Iowa is home to some of the most competitive high schools in the nation like Des Moines Central Academy in Des Moines, West Senior High School and Iowa City High School in Iowa City, Rivermont Collegiate in Bettendorf, and Valley High School in West Des Moines. These esteemed institutions foster highly motivated students who are deeply committed to shaping their future and attending prestigious universities.
Our college admissions coaches are here to empower Iowa students and turn their college dreams into a reality.
Comprehensive
college guidance
Engage in one-on-one advising sessions and receive tailored guidance to best support your academic and collegiate endeavors. While school counselors are qualified to guide students to success beyond high school, their large volume of students and pressing responsibilities limit their time. This makes having a personal college coach dedicated to supporting you through the entire admissions process a game-changer.
At Prepory, we focus on a student-centric approach to college admissions counseling that equips students with the resources, knowledge, and personalized guidance they need to craft a competitive application to top schools like Harvard University, Yale University, Amherst College, MIT, Caltech, Duke University, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, and UCLA. Our students have also received acceptance letters to some of the best colleges and universities in Iowa such as Grinnell College and the University of Iowa.
Our comprehensive college counseling program encompasses a wide range of critical topics for each high school grade level such as leadership development, crafting the personal statement, supplemental essays, navigating financial aid, securing impactful letters of recommendation, strategic high school course selection, and beyond.
The American School Counselor Association reports a high student-to-counselor ratio of 340-to-1 in Iowa for the 2023–2024 school year, far exceeding the ASCA's recommended 250-to-1 ratio.
Our program is accessible to all Iowa residents including those in Des Moines metro, Iowa City area, Quad Cities region, and its surrounding neighborhoods like Waukee, Ankeny, Iowa City, and more.
Why Prepory?
of admission to colleges with acceptance rates below 15%.
served worldwide by our college admissions experts.
enrolled in Prepory’s college counseling services.
to at least one of their top 5 schools.
Why Prepory?
higher chances
higher chances
of admission to colleges with acceptance rates below 15% for Prepory students from Iowa.
countries
countries
served worldwide by our college admissions experts.
enrolled
students
enrolled in Prepory’s college counseling services.
admitted
admitted
to at least one of their top 5 schools.
How to stand out as an Iowa applicant
"Iowa students often assume that strong grades at a competitive high school like Valley, Iowa City West, or Ames will speak for themselves, but selective schools outside the Midwest don't always recognize the rigor behind those transcripts. The key is framing your story so an admissions reader anywhere in the country understands exactly what you've accomplished and why it matters."
James C.
Prepory Program Manager and college admissions expert
college admissions testimonials
Thousands of families
trust Prepory
OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO TOP SCHOOLS
Meet our featured
college admissions coaches
Our team is made up of former admissions officers, former faculty, researchers, advanced degree holders, and graduates of the nation’s best universities, including Harvard, Duke, and Columbia. When you work with our team, you receive the most strategic college guidance with a personable and professional touch.
Christian C.
Meghan N.
James C.
De’Ja W.
Juliette W.
Frequently asked questions
Prepory helps Iowa high school students build applications for selective colleges through one-on-one coaching that accounts for how your school's academic environment shapes your candidacy. Our coaches, all former admissions officers, understand what schools look for beyond grades and test scores, and they help you present your leadership, character, and goals in ways that resonate with admissions committees across the country, including those unfamiliar with the rigor behind an Iowa transcript.
Prepory serves high school students throughout Iowa, including the Des Moines metro and its suburbs of West Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston, and Waukee, the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids corridor, the Quad Cities, Ames, the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area, and Sioux City. Because all of Prepory's programs are delivered entirely online, students anywhere in the state can work with our coaches regardless of their location.
While the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa are popular in-state options, many Iowa students aiming for highly selective colleges build lists that extend well beyond the state. Schools across the Big Ten, top liberal arts colleges, and Ivy League universities admit only a small percentage of applicants each year, and our coaches help you develop strategies to compete at that level while also identifying colleges that align with your academic profile and goals.
Prepory works with students from a wide range of Iowa high schools, from large public programs like Valley, Iowa City West, Ames, Johnston, Waukee, and Pleasant Valley to private and parochial schools such as Dowling Catholic. Our coaches tailor their approach to your individual school's profile and the colleges on your list, so the strategy fits your background rather than a one-size-fits-all template.
For many Iowa families, a college admissions counselor is worth it because students here often apply to selective out-of-state schools that may not recognize the rigor behind a strong Iowa transcript, and an outside expert helps you translate your record into terms admissions readers understand. Prepory's coaches, who served as admissions officers at selective universities, help you identify the strengths that make your application distinct, build a balanced school list, and manage deadlines so the process feels clear rather than overwhelming.
Have more questions? Contact Us
Meet with one of our college admissions experts
Meet with one of our college admissions experts
Our college admissions experts are here to help you earn admission to your dream school. Please note that a parent or guardian must be on the consultation for high school students.
Once you book your initial consultation, here’s what you can look forward to:
Profile assessment:
Assess your student’s academic profile and higher education goals with an expert from our enrollment team.
Program overview:
Our team will provide you with detailed information about our program and how it works.
Tips and resources:
Our experts will share tips and resources on how to navigate the U.S. college admissions process.
Get answers:
We’ll address your application worries and answer questions about how we can make a difference.
