Specialized Entrance Exam Prep School 'Rizapro' Launches 'UTokyo CoD Course' for New University of Tokyo Department

Rizapro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Sun Chenyang) launched a new course, the 'UTokyo CoD Course,' on June 6. The course is specifically designed for the 'UTokyo College of Design,' a department attracting significant attention as the first new faculty established by the University of Tokyo in approximately 70 years. The course supports both in-person and online participation, aiming to integrally foster critical thinking regarding social issues, skills in drafting personal statements, and interview capabilities.

UTokyo College of Design is an educational program that combines design methodologies with the University of Tokyo's specialized expertise across various fields, fostering the ability to creatively grasp and solve complex societal issues. It emphasizes interdisciplinary perspectives, the ability to formulate questions, and the capacity to conceive ideas based on diverse values, requiring preparation beyond traditional knowledge acquisition.

■ Background of Launch
In recent university entrance exams, importance has shifted beyond academic performance to include the ability to articulate experiences, interest in social issues, setting personal questions, and expressive power through dialogue. Today's educational curriculum increasingly requires the ability to construct one's own ideas while crossing multiple fields, rather than mere rote memorization.

Having supported many students in developing the 'ability to speak in their own words' through personal statement guidance and career support, Rizapro has designed this course based on the attributes and academic direction valued by UTokyo CoD.

■ Course Features
1. Training critical thinking processes regarding social issues
Starting with designing 'questions' tailored to each student, the course provides learning that goes beyond superficial test preparation. It connects multifaceted perspectives gained through English discussion to the brainstorming of actual solutions for social issues.

2. Individually optimized personal statement preparation
Instead of just listing experiences, the course supports drafting documents that articulate the student's own experiences and connect them to the social issues they are interested in, clarifying 'why they need to study at UTokyo.' This is supported by data from over 10,000 successful and unsuccessful personal statements.

3. Handling interviews, English interviews, and group discussions
In addition to preparing for the second-stage interviews, the course prepares students for English interviews and group discussions. It cultivates the ability to answer questions from various perspectives, including deep dives into personal statements and study plans leading up to enrollment.

4. In-person and online hybrid format
The course is held in-person at the Sundai Preparatory School Ikebukuro campus. During in-person sessions, self-study spaces are opened for up to two hours after class, allowing for document preparation for other universities, with support from current students who passed the UTokyo recommendation entrance exam.

■ Course Overview
Course Name: UTokyo CoD Course
Subtitle: Social Issue Discussion Design Project
Duration: June to October 2026
Structure: Phase 1 (June-August, 10 sessions), Phase 2 (August-October, 10 sessions)
Holding Format: In-person at Sundai Preparatory School Ikebukuro campus + partial online sessions

■ Future Outlook
Moving forward, Rizapro will continue to develop courses that support students not only in 'what they learn' but also in 'how they formulate questions and connect with society,' in line with changes in entrance exam systems and university education. Through this course, the company will provide preparation opportunities for students challenging themselves with new learning, leading to more practical and deep understanding.