Case Studies
Case Study by grade
Read our case studies below to learn more about how Spark Admissions has been able to help students with their college admissions process.
8th Grade
Families who begin working with us in 8th grade benefit from a multi-year relationship with their College Admissions Consultant and emerge with exceptional application narratives.
Aidan came to Spark Admissions as a bright middle schooler with exceptional grades and a passion for playing sports.
His parents wanted help developing Aidan’s interests during high school. They knew this would result in a more enriching, interesting high school experience, and would also help him stand out when applying to the nation’s top-tier colleges and universities.
Spark Admissions counselors have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to earn admission at competitive schools. We put that expertise to work helping Aidan develop his personal story.
Aidan’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Worked with him to identify and hone his areas of academic interest;
- Helped him start a club that developed his leadership skills while giving back to his community;
- Identified and helped him secure several internships during high school;
- Guided him on course selection, project management and communications skills;
- Worked with him to develop a right-fit college list based on his academic and personal goals;
- Provided thoughtful, constructive feedback on his college essays and application materials.
Aidan was accepted to highly competitive schools including the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, Duke University, Dartmouth College, and Cornell University.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
John was a very gifted, deeply caring 8th grader enrolled at one of the strongest all-boys schools in Massachusetts when he came to Spark Admissions.
His parents wanted him to have a happy and fulfilling college experience at a top-tier school that matched his level of intellectual ability.
We worked with John starting in the middle of 8th grade and throughout high school to hone his interests and focus his narrative to help him stand out among the competitive admissions environment for the nation’s elite colleges and universities.
John’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Helped him define his academic interests and develop a unique, strategic resume;
- Suggested clubs and activities where John could curate his leadership skills;
- Assisted him in applying and earning admission to a prestigious, multi-year research program at MIT;
- Identified ways for John to demonstrate his exceptional level of interest and care for his community;
- Helped create a college list reflective of his academic and personal goals;
- Brainstormed, outlined, and provided insightful feedback on all of John’s college essays and other application materials.
John was accepted Single Choice Early Action to Harvard University.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
10th Grade
Families who begin working with Spark Admissions in 10th grade are able to tackle the college admissions process with knowledge, experience, and extensive preparation.
Beth came to Spark Admissions as a smart, hardworking sophomore struggling to reach her academic potential.
She spent up to six hours a night on homework, but barely maintained a B average. Nevertheless, she was determined to attend her top-choice school, Boston College.
We immediately recognized that Beth’s track record didn’t align with her effort and recommended neuropsychology testing. The results revealed she had a learning difference exacerbated by anxiety.
Beth’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Helped her qualify for learning difference accommodations at school, including extra time on tests;
- Honed her study skills and helped her thrive academically, transitioning from a 3.1 GPA to a 3.95 GPA during the remainder of her time in high school;
- Increased her SAT score 300 points via tutoring and study skills coaching;
- Helped her discover and develop her passion for writing;
- Identified opportunities to hone that interest as editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper and via a summer writing program and internship at a local newspaper;
- Guided her through every step of the admissions process, including crafting exceptional college applications.
Beth was accepted Early Decision to Boston College, her top-choice school.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
Charlie came to Spark Admissions as a highly intelligent sophomore attending a top private school. Charlie had diverse academic and extracurricular interests.
His two older siblings had already worked with us to gain acceptance to their top-choice schools. Charlie’s parents sought our admissions expertise to help him do the same.
Charlie was already doing well in high school, but we knew his scattered interests would make it difficult for him to shine in the competitive college admissions process.
Charlie’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Channeled his interests into two key areas—mathematics and journalism—and recommended how to deeply pursue them year-round;
- Counseled him on high school class selection and other academic avenues to stand out from his peers;
- Identified opportunities to develop his leadership skills and eventually become editor-in-chief of his school newspaper and president of the math team;
- Suggested unique volunteer opportunities where he could give back in a dynamic way;
- Helped him create stellar applications featuring excerpts from his award-winning journalism work.
Charlie was accepted to Dartmouth College, Amherst College, Washington University in St. Louis, and several other selective colleges.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
11th Grade
Families who begin working with Spark Admissions in 11th grade are able to tackle the college admissions process with knowledge, experience, and extensive preparation.
Ethan came to Spark Admissions during his junior year as a shy, reserved student full of potential.
He had high academic aspirations, but his parents knew he’d need help showcasing his personality so college admissions committees could see how invaluable he would be to their schools.
We helped Ethan cultivate a number of attributes that would make him a competitive college applicant—including confidence, proactivity, and leadership skills.
Ethan’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Encouraged him to step far outside his comfort zone and hone his leadership skills by joining activities that aligned with his academic interests;
- Helped him identify and participate in hands-on volunteer opportunities, which boosted his pride as he saw how his work helped others;
- Nurtured his self-confidence, which helped him take more initiative and be more proactive;
- Counseled Ethan on how to weave his unique story into various parts of his college applications;
- Provided detailed, constructive feedback on each draft of his application essays and materials.
Ethan was accepted to Princeton University, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
Michael was an ambitious high school student who’d spread himself exceedingly thin doing all the things he thought would make him a compelling college applicant. As a result, neither his extracurricular profile nor his GPA were where they needed to be for the colleges he sought.
When he came to Spark Admissions at the start of junior year, Michael was very anxious about and overwhelmed by the college admissions process.
We recognized and understood Michael’s anxiety and wanted to minimize it as much as possible. We also knew firsthand what it takes to earn admission at competitive schools. So, we helped Michael re-focus his efforts solely on the pursuits that were most meaningful to him and would help him gain acceptance to his top-choice schools.
Michael’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Channeled his myriad academic and extracurricular activities into a more focused, strategic resume that would position him in the best possible light;
- Identified and helped Michael secure an internship at his top-choice university the summer before his senior year of high school;
- Developed a standardized testing plan suited to Michael’s learning style and college goals;
- Helped him improve his GPA during his final two years of high school via study skills sessions, time management coaching, and other academic counseling;
- Identified opportunities to strengthen his leadership profile by becoming more deeply involved in activities related to his intended area of study;
- Worked with Michael to develop an appropriate college list and create flawless college essays and application materials.
Michael was accepted Early Decision to Tufts University, his top-choice school.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
12th Grade
Families who begin working with Spark Admissions in 12th grade are able to tackle the college admissions process with knowledge, experience, and extensive preparation.
David came to Spark Admissions with a B+ average and actively involved in his boarding school. However, he did not know where to apply or how to demonstrate his achievements.
As he entered senior year, David’s family turned to us for help showcasing his unique strengths, managing the application process, and helping him complete exceptional applications.
We understand what college admissions officers seek in applicants, and we put that knowledge to work helping David hone his personal narrative, build his leadership profile, and become a strong applicant.
David’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Helped him evaluate his diverse interests and determine an intended college major;
- Suggested ways to create a richer academic profile;
- Helped him start a new club at his high school to develop his leadership profile;
- Scheduled weekly check-in meetings to make consistent progress on application essays;
- Managed application timelines and deadlines and ensured application materials were completed to perfection.
David was accepted to the University of Southern California, his top-choice school, among other colleges and universities.
*Student’s name changed for privacy
Nicole was an exceptional college candidate with a strong academic track record and an accomplished resume.
Her family hired Spark Admissions to help Nicole’s full potential shine in her college essays and application materials.
Nicole’s Spark Admissions counselor:
- Worked with her to develop a crisp, compelling narrative in her admissions essays;
- Helped her focus her writing to ensure it clearly, effectively communicated her key points;
- Assisted her with brainstorming, essay development and refinement of the introspective and numerous school-specific essays required for admission to top-ranked colleges;
- Provided guidance on all questions about and aspects of the college admissions process;
- Managed Nicole’s application materials, timelines, and deadlines for all schools.
Nicole was accepted to Harvard University, Stanford University, Yale University and Princeton University.
*Student’s name changed for privacy