College counseling for Illinois students

Learn how to craft a memorable college application and stand out among competitors with the guidance of experienced college counselors.

About Prepory College Counseling
for Illinois students

Illinois is home to some of the most competitive high schools in the nation like Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, New Trier Township High School, Neuqua Valley High School, University High School, University of Illinois High School, Hinsdale Central High School, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, and Sacred Heart Griffin High School. 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 Illinois 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 Illinois such as University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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.

486-to-1

The American School Counselor Association reports a high student-to-counselor ratio of 486-to-1 in Illinois for the 2023–2024 school year, far exceeding the ASCA's recommended 250-to-1 ratio.

Success stories from our students

Through tailored admissions guidance and dedicated support, we’re proud to play a part in shaping our students’ success stories across Illinois’ most prestigious college campuses. Take a look at our case studies and see for yourself how our students’ dreams of studying at top colleges in Illinois and across the country became a reality.

Our program is accessible to all Illinois residents including those in Chicago metro, Champaign-Urbana, and Bloomington-Normal , and its surrounding neighborhoods like Winnetka, Normal, Bloomington, and more.

Why Prepory?

3.38x higher chances

of admission to colleges with acceptance rates below 15%.

70+ countries

served worldwide by our college admissions experts.

14,000+ students

enrolled in Prepory’s college counseling services.

94% admitted

to at least one of their top 5 schools.

Why Prepory?

3.38xx
higher chances
3.38x
higher chances

of admission to colleges with acceptance rates below 15% for Prepory students from Florida.

70+
countries
70+
countries

served worldwide by our college admissions experts.

14,000+
enrolled
14,000+
students

enrolled in Prepory’s college counseling services.

94%
admitted
94%
admitted

to at least one of their top 5 schools.

The Prepory Advantage

Prepory students have been accepted to top schools in Illinois and across the country.

University General Admit Rate Prepory Admit Rate Prepory Advantage
Northwestern University 5.6% 50.0% 8.93x
University of Chicago 5.9% 40.0% 6.78x
Stanford University 3.68% 9.5% 2.58x
Columbia University 4.29% 17.9% 4.16x
Princeton University 3.9% 19.0% 4.87x
University of Pennsylvania 4.1% 10.8% 2.63x
Brown University 5.1% 25.9% 5.08x
Dartmouth College 5.3% 21.4% 4.04x
Cornell University 6.9% 23.1% 3.34x
Duke University 5.1% 16.1% 3.16x
Johns Hopkins University 6.0% 27.6% 4.60x
Washington University in St. Louis 11.2% 38.5% 3.43x
Georgetown University 13% 42.9% 3.30x
New York University 7.7% 47.9% 6.22x
University of California, Los Angeles 8.5% 36.3% 4.26x

Featured acceptance rates from Prepory’s internal college admissions data.

college admissions testimonials

Thousands of families
trust Prepory

Prepory College Counseling Students

OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO TOP SCHOOLS

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.

Prepory Coach Christian with the New York University school logo

Christian C.

Prepory Coach Meghan with the Columbia University school logo

Meghan N.

Prepory Coach James with the Purdue University school logo

James C.

Prepory Coach De'Ja with the Duke University school logo

De’Ja W.

Prepory Coach Juliette with the Brown University school logo

Juliette W.

Frequently asked questions

Prepory works with Illinois high school students to 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 Illinois students present their leadership, character, and goals in ways that resonate with competitive admissions committees across the country.

Prepory serves high school students throughout Illinois, including Chicago, the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, and Evanston, western suburbs like Naperville, Hinsdale, and Oak Park, and downstate areas such as Champaign-Urbana and Springfield. Families in the city can also explore our dedicated college counseling in Chicago page, and 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois Chicago, and Illinois State University are popular in-state options, many Illinois students aiming for highly selective colleges build lists that extend well beyond the state. Schools like Northwestern, the University of Chicago, and Ivy League universities admit only a small percentage of applicants each year, and our coaches help Illinois students develop strategies to compete at that level while also identifying colleges that align with their academic profile and goals.

Prepory has worked with students from high schools across Illinois, including New Trier High School, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Naperville North and Naperville Central, Hinsdale Central, Walter Payton College Prep, Whitney Young Magnet, and the Latin School of Chicago. Our coaches have experience with students from a range of academic backgrounds and school types, and we tailor our approach based on your school's profile and the colleges on your list.

For many Illinois families, a college admissions counselor is worth it because students here often compete against classmates with nearly identical transcripts and test scores, and an outside expert helps you stand apart. 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.

college admissions coach on a virtual call with a student

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:

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Profile assessment:
Assess your student’s academic profile and higher education goals with an expert from our enrollment team.

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Program overview:
Our team will provide you with detailed information about our program and how it works.

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Tips and resources:
Our experts will share tips and resources on how to navigate the U.S. college admissions process.

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Get answers:
We’ll address your application worries and answer questions about how we can make a difference.