DETAILS ABOUT THE SPARK PROCESS

College lists that provide individualized academic, social, and financial fit for your student. Essays that showcase your student’s voice and celebrate their values. Internal targets that help students meet strict external deadlines early.

When the management of the college application shifts from the hands of parents to those of the student, the magic REALLY begins! Students who work with Spark College Consulting experience less stress, more agency, and greater pride in their results.

YOUR COLLEGE LIST

Ideally this process begins in the summer before junior year, to allow for college visits over spring break and other holidays

TIME INVOLVED: 10-12 meetings

  • Research to identify preferred majors and compelling college features 
  • Determine which colleges meet academic, social, and financial needs 
  • Balance list to include likely, target, reach and lottery schools
  • Research and discuss potential colleges  
  • Cover what to look for when visiting colleges and post-visit impressions
  • Prepare testing schedule, letters of recommendation, and summer plan

OUTCOME: Well balanced 10-15 college list

TIME TO WRITE ESSAYS

May through August before senior year

TIME INVOLVED: 4-6 meetings

  • Brainstorm, construct, and edit through established writing process 
  • Understand how to read and answer essay prompts 
  • Prevent procrastination through internal deadlines 
  • Work with the student to write responses to main essay prompts – one from the Common Application and four from the University of California application 
  • Start supplemental essays for some colleges

OUTCOME: Excellent UC & Common App essays highlight the student’s voice

READY TO APPLY

From September through mid-December of senior year

TIME INVOLVED: 8-10 meetings

  • Work from personalized to do lists generated each meeting 
  • Brainstorm, draft and finalize all supplemental essays
  • Finalize all applications and required tasks 
  • Meet all deadlines, both high school and college
  • Updates reminding students to make sure applications are complete, with all necessary documents received by the college
  • Provide general financial aid information to students and parents

OUTCOME: Finished set of apps mid-December and relaxing winter break senior year

HAVE QUESTIONS FOR US?

We’re ready to answer them! Parents and Students often have very different questions. We have a page dedicated to the most frequent inquiries from both. Have a look or simply reach out to us directly.

“Elizabeth made it stress free for me and my parents.”

“Elizabeth made it stress free for me and my parents.”

Before working with Elizabeth, I had no idea how or where to even start applying to colleges. She knew exactly what she was doing and kept me on a clear schedule with specific tasks and deadlines, which made everything so much easier. The whole process can be super confusing, but she made it stress free for me and my parents.  – DR – Student, Class of 2025