Minjun came to OPUS at the start of his junior year with solid academics but little else.

A 3.9 GPA from a local school, no SATs, no awards, no standout achievements. But he rowed. His previous consulting had left him without a hook or direction. He wasn’t lacking in potential, just overlooked.

That’s where we stepped in. Rather than push him into the crowded lanes of traditional STEM or try to force-fit achievements, we spotted a unique angle: connecting rowing with kinetic art. His connection to rhythm, movement, and physical energy sparked the concept. What if his art could move, no digitally, but physically and sustainably?

We helped him create an identity not just as an artist, but as a movement-builder. He began designing kinetic installations powered by natural energy using wind and rover flow instead of electricity. These weren’t just sculptures; they were sustainability statements in motion. Then we placed him in a story that connected his rowing experience to his interest in the lost birds in the river banks.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

Parallel to his creative evolution, we also built his academic edge. We positioned him as an interdisciplinary applicant, targeting schools where he could double major in Data Science and Art. He earned awards in math and computer science to build STEM credibility, proving he was not just artistic but analytically sharp and future-ready.

The student was proposing a new category of environmental artist. And it worked: he was admitted to UCLA and Cornell, tow of his top-choice schools. And he discovered his talent adn interest for data applications and computer science (as well as understanding the importance of conservation). His only regret? That he hadn’t found OPUS sooner.