Discover.

Apply.
Ignite.
:
 SPARK PREP
BEGAN WITH
ONE SIMPLE
QUESTION:

What would admissions be like if, instead of pressure

and directives, we provided students with engaged
dialogue, mentorship, and the best academic resources?
Founded by two Stanford graduates, over the past decade, Spark Prep has
had the privilege of working with students from all walks of life, from all
over the globe, with interests ranging from neurolinguistics and computer
science to performance studies and mechanical engineering.

Today, Spark Prep students study at the best

universities in the United States, and go on to
live lives defined by purpose.

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 3

WHO WE ARE
Spark Prep is one of the premier international admissions, tutoring
and test prep firms. Our unique approach to education and the college
application process helps prepare students for a life of academic and
professional mastery. Our expert team is comprised of specialists
from every major academic field.

We help students craft well-rounded and authentic applications that

reflect their unique strengths and values, while helping them to develop
holistic intellectual and critical thinking skills that can be used in any
field and in any geography.

Excellence and Integrity

Integrity is the foundation of trust, growth, and service.
We model integrity in everything we do – from mentoring and guiding
students and families to how we run our business. Our promise is to
provide the highest level of service by skilled, experienced professionals,
ensuring the best possible experience and outcome from your
admissions journey.

Transparency
Through strategic, targeted hard work and the support of professionals,
incredible results can be achieved – and we promise to make every step of
the process clear and accessible. Our staff works closely with both parents
and students so that everyone is on the same page from the moment
you begin working with us until the moment you receive your decisions –
without additional stress.

Discovery
Every member of our team is committed to a growth mindset, helping you
clarify and achieve your goals while gaining a deeper sense of personal
awareness, confidence, and fulfillment. But that doesn’t mean everyone
goes through the same process. We tailor our programs
and timeline to each individual student’s unique needs,
ensuring we provide the most personalized level of service
throughout your admissions journey.
 A New Approach
In both test prep and admissions, our students reach higher results in
less time than traditional programs, using best practices drawn from
mindfulness and cognitive learning science. We have carefully designed our
programs and packages to give students the greatest impact while leaving
room in their busy lives for personal growth, civic engagement, and
creative expression.

Through flipped classrooms, Socratic-style dialogue, critical text analysis,

guest lectures, topic workshops, and one-on-one mentorship, students
receive a highly customized educational experience fit to their personality
and learning style that results not just in high test scores and superlative
applications, but enriched lives.

Purpose and Commitment

Spark Prep believes in the endless potential of human beings.
As instructors and mentors, we empower young minds to discover
and cultivate the capacities that will bring their lives meaning,
joy, and fulfillment.

For students and families looking for more than

an acceptance letter, we invite you to join us on
this exciting journey of exploration and insight.

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 5

American university programs seek out international
candidates who are both scholastically and intellectually
superlative, as well as committed to personal and
community development.

Spark Prep’s programs help students demonstrate their academic

strengths, personal growth, and motivating values through a rigorous
inquiry-based process that helps students clearly articulate their unique
experiences.

The application process is broken down into three themes with six primary
aspects. Spark Prep’s integrated approach ensures that each aspect is
strong, resulting in a clear and compelling college application that speaks to
the core of each student’s character.

r
acte Gr
o
ar
w
Ch

th
&

Activities Essays
&
Leadership

Valu
es

Recomm-
Supplements
endations

Grades /
Transcript Test Scores

Acade mics

Spark Prep’s elite team of mentors covers every aspect of the college
application including:

„„ Mentorship
„„ Timeline management
„„ School list development
„„ Personal statement and supplementary essay
content instruction

„„ Financial aid consulting

„„ Future and career planning
„„ Interview prep
HIGH IMPACT
ADMISSIONS
PROGRAMMING

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 7

OUR ADMISSIONS PROGRAM
INCLUDES TWO COMPONENTS:
MENTORSHIP AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Mentorship
The best preparation for college applications is the development of
individual intellectual passion and the cultivation of enriching experiences.
Our coaches help students develop their expertise in subjects ranging
from engineering and math to literature and the arts, so students are fully
prepared to begin college at the highest intellectual level.

Through readings, lectures, videos, coaching sessions, and assignments,

students supplement their formal education with additional intellectual and
personal challenges that help them develop maturity and responsibility.

The earlier students begin, the more time they have to develop their
intellectual and personal interests.

During the mentorship process, students acquire:

Broad exposure to contemporary academic topics in the

humanities and sciences

Extracurricular activity project coaching and development

Interpersonal skills like collaboration and communication

Clarity of personal values

Interdisciplinary critical thinking and argumentative

writing skills

Adaptability, resilience, and self-awareness

College Applications
The final component of any admissions program is the college application,
which highlights both a student’s achievements and their personal growth.
Spark Prep’s expert coaches guide students through a structured writing
process that helps them develop compelling personal statements and
supplemental essays that provide the perfect personal context for their
academic profile. Spark Prep’s students go through an extensive process
of self-reflection and discovery, analysis and structural development in
order to craft some of the most impressive and technically adept
pieces of writing.

Each student’s process is individually developed based on their needs,

interests, and growth trajectory.

Ask us about our student proposals designed to

fit each student’s specific goals and timeline.
 Admissions Program Packages
30 HR 40 HR 50 HR 60 HR 70 HR +

IMPACT STD. MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGHEST

MENTORSHIP INCLUDES
Summer Program Applications n n

Custom-designed Tutoring Sessions for

n n
Student-selected Topic (Deep Learning)

Extracurricular Project Coaching n n

Research Writing Training n n

COLLEGE APPLICATION INCLUDES

Common App (Included in all packages)

Personal Statement n n n n n

Supplemental Essays n n n n n

School list and Strategy n n n n n

Activities List n n n n n

Common App Proofread n n n n n

Offline Questions n n n n n

Parent Reports (After Each 10 Hours) n n n n n

Expected Number of School Supplements

5-7 8-15 15+ 15+ 15+
Finalized*

Financial Aid n n n n

LORs: Counselor, 2 Teachers, 1 Additional n n n n

Interview Prep n n n n

Activities Profile n n n n

Class Selection Advising n n n n

College Transition Support in the

n n n
1st Semester of College

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 9

PARENT
TESTIMONIALS
 Mr. Sơn Nguyễn
Ngân Hà’s dad
Williams College, Class of 2022
When the critical time came to
choose a companion to support Ha
during the application process, it was
difficult for us to make a decision. I
knew a lot about “centers”, and many
big names in this market, ready to
guarantee very impressive results.
However, their expensive tuition and
questionable practices confused us
even more. I learned about Spark
Prep by coincidence, when I felt
almost helpless. I gradually learned
the difference in what Spark Prep had
to offer students, compared to other
centers.
We had a school list that fit Ha’s
abilities and academic interests very
well. Luke and Spark Prep had a very
clear timeline for Ha and our family
which was carried out as planned,
with support during all unexpected
challenges. I appreciated that
Spark Prep always provided
clear guidance to students, while
encouraging them to be proactive
and independent.
The extracurricular support that
Spark Prep provided allowed
Ngan Ha to meet with exceptional
people in many activities without
affecting her concentration on her
academic goals. Ha did well on the
essays - the most important part of the
application process - thanks to these
enriching experiences and academic
support. However, the most valuable
experience Ha got from working with
Spark Prep was discovering a whole
new way of learning and observing
the world.
At the moment, Ha is preparing to
enroll in Williams College. I would
like to thank Luke and Spark Prep
for working with us and for our
remarkable experience at Spark Prep.
Discover. Apply. Ignite.
Mr. Cân Nguyễn
Tôn Nữ’s dad
Harvard University, Class of 2022
If I had to use a word to describe Spark
Prep, it would be “wonderful”,
two words would be “very wonderful”,
and three words would be “really
very wonderful.”
Because we couldn’t afford 100% of
university tuition, our family decided
to find a school that fit our daughter’s
academic background, and apply
for financial aid. If we didn’t receive
aid, she would study at a national
university in Vietnam. When we
became helpless working on our own,
we met the Spark Prep team. After
several meetings, our family knew
Spark Prep was the right partner for
us. They helped us adjust our plan,
understood our daughter’s capacity,
and mostly, they clarified all of our
confusion about the process. Many
people asked us “Was the application
process easier or harder than you’d
expected?” and I answered “It’s so
simple, much simpler than we’d
thought. Just let Spark Prep help you
with what you can’t do alone.”
Ever since my daughter worked
with Spark Prep and got accepted to
Harvard with a full-ride scholarship,
my daughter – Nguyen Dinh Ton
Nu – has grown up tremendously.
She understands herself better,
became more confident and proactive
in everything she does, and does
everything with a clear purpose and
intention. One of her most remarkable
traits is how much she cares and
devotes herself to the development of
her community. This was instilled in
her even more after her work with
Spark Prep.
In this chaotic industry, there are many
centers that cause more harm than
good using unethical practices.
Despite all that, Spark Prep
continues to prove themselves as
one of the most trustworthy and
competent companies.
Ms. Quỳnh Lê
Lê Quang’s mom
Princeton University, Class of 2022
The application process was really
challenging, full of ups and downs,
and we were at times stressed, tired,
disappointed in ourselves, and lost...
and finally our hearts burst with
happiness and pride when we got the
result we wanted. It was a journey that
helped our son discover himself and
grow a lot, and I’m very happy and
grateful that Quang found a friend
in his counselor. Quang always felt
comfortable, trusted and inspired
while working with the Spark Prep
team. There were times when Quang
was in distress, I was helpless and I
felt as if his instructor at Spark Prep
was the only one that could console
him. Thank fate for bringing me and
Quang to Spark Prep. We have become
friends after a long journey together.
All the instructors at Spark Prep
were dedicated, enthusiastic and
professional, which helped Quang
achieve his goals.
Once again, I want to sincerely thank
Spark Prep and especially Luke Taylor.
May Spark Prep grow to become a
trustworthy center to attract more
students and parents. I hope Luke will
always be a teacher, a friend, and an
inspiration to all Vietnamese students
who want to study abroad.
11
STUDENT
TESTIMONIALS

Ngân Hà
Williams College, Class of 2022

Spark Prep team is a reliable source of encouragement.

Tôn Nữ
Harvard University, Class of 2022
With Spark Prep, the application progress is not just a time
to impress admission committees, it is a time for personal
growth and learning.
My biggest worry when I started working with Spark Prep
was that I’d have to give up the freedom over how I present
myself to others. However, my instructor respected my
freedom and my boundaries. For each of my essays, he
would help me learn about a topic, asking questions and
helping me clearly articulate myself to others. I said to him
once that he’s a good “word-putter”, but what I really mean
to say is that he’s a great listener.
I don’t think I was a “safe” applicant. Other counselors
were hesitant to work with me. I didn’t know what to do
with myself. Spark Prep team took me in and allowed
me to grow without judgement, only with kindness and
sympathy. With their support, I learned how to ask good
questions, think clearly, write coherently, believe in myself,
be considerate towards others, and listen to understand
others rather than to assert myself.
My counselor at Spark Prep carefully orientated me towards
strategic ways to do things, yet never forgot to respect my
freedom and boundaries. He knew how to get me unstuck,
and what to do with my messy thoughts whenever I didn’t
know what to do with myself.
Unlike many other “education centers” or coaching services,
Spark Prep took me in without looking for a blinking
olympic medal in my fresh profile or insisting on my
“promise of a superb SAT score”. And their support didn’t
even end with my final submit deadlines or my acceptance
letters to several colleges, either. The instructor I worked
with continued to help me write updates to other schools,
negotiate financial aid, and send waitlist letters (and I know
for sure that the paid hours he spent for me had been used
up). Thanks to his ample support, I now learn how to ask
good questions, think clearly, articulate coherently, believe
in myself, and finally get into one of the best universities
that I truly loved right from the outset of my application
process.
My instructor at Spark Prep is such a special presence in
this incredible journey. He’s an exceptional person who
has also connected me with other exceptional human
beings. I would not hesitate to give Spark Prep my highest
recommendation to anyone seeking to uncover their own
value, bring it to their dream colleges and star in their own
growth stories.

I’m so glad that I had Spark Prep as a companion on my

college application journey. I cannot recommend Spark
Prep more to anyone seeking to find their own value and
bring it to the college of their dreams.
 Bảo Võ
Admitted to CSU Longbeach; Fullerton; Davis; UCSC

I was never an academically superlative student. Before

working with Spark Prep, I would have been over the moon
to be accepted by 1 US college. However, 6 out of 8 schools
which I’d applied for accepted me, which shocked me a bit,
to be honest. They were all good schools, too, and they all
offered me generous financial aid.
What distinguishes Spark Prep is how instead of DIRECTING,
they GUIDE you. That’s what I liked the most about them,
because I was empowered and equipped with useful skills
for my future life outside of school, like interviewing for jobs
or creating a resume for myself.
When I decided to go to school in Switzerland instead of the
US, I still had Spark Prep’s full support. Without Spark Prep, I
would never have known how much I am capable of when I
put forth my best effort.
I’m sincerely grateful for Spark Prep for not only preparing
me to go to college, but also for giving me friends who
always believe in me and my capacity.
SPARK PREP AND LUKE: YOU GUYS ROCK !!!!!
Lê Quang
Princeton University, Class of 2022
Lan Chi
Carnegie Mellon University, Class of 2022
My experience with Spark Prep was beyond my satisfaction.
I am glad that I worked with Spark Prep during my college
application process. Among all the college counseling
centers in Hanoi, Spark Prep stood out to me from
the very beginning with their honesty, dedication and
professionalism, which are some important qualities that
many counseling centers lack. My counselor was the most
dedicated counselor I had ever met. We made the most
out of our time putting ideas together and polishing my
essays to perfection. Somehow, my instructor managed
to make this whole seemingly stressful process a very
enjoyable and valuable experience.
Not only did I stay happy the whole time but I also learned
a lot about how to write a good essay (maybe even more
than I did at my high school). My writing skills improved
rapidly over a short amount of time and I managed to
achieve A’s in my English class for the whole year. On top
of it all, I am grateful to have had my counselor as a friend
and a life advisor as well. Without him, I wouldn’t have
made it through my senior year easily without depression.
Surprisingly, I had become a lot more cheerful than ever
before. Without his endless effort in guiding me through
this application process, I would not have got into my
dream school. Thank you, Spark Prep!

Throughout the year I spent with Spark Prep, I have grown

tremendously both as a student and as a person. From
someone who is extremely skeptical about the application
process, the staff at Spark Prep has helped me to adapt
my view and knowledge into my application. Regardless of
the results, I believe Spark Prep has done great work in
forging a perfect working atmosphere for me personally.
And for that, I’m extremely grateful.

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 13

INDUSTRY-
LEADING TEST
PREPARATION:
ACT & SAT
 Spark Prep’s revolutionary ACT and SAT programs propel each student to reach their
potential in an effective and engaging way. Our SAT and ACT programs utilize Spark
Prep’s exclusive custom curriculum and industry-leading Online Platform, delivered
by expert instructors with decades of experience. Based on Ivy-League research
on the most efficient and effective ways to learn, Spark Prep’s curriculum covers all
content and strategy students need in order to reach their maximum score.

Because Spark Prep believes all students deserve access to excellent instruction, all of our test prep
group classes are completely free.

For students who want more personalized instruction, our one-on-one test prep program commits to
coaching students until their test prep needs are complete. When you work with Spark Prep, we’re with
you until the end.

One-on-One Programs
One-on-one tutoring is the most targeted and impactful way for students to improve their scores.
Spark Prep’s expert coaches design a study program for each student that specifically pinpoints exact
areas of weakness and helps them master test taking strategies. The flexibility of our one-on-one
programs allows each student to move at their own pace and on their own schedule.

One-on-one programs are especially useful for students aiming to get those final, hard to reach
points.

HÀ LÊ QUANG TRỊNH CÁT TƯỜNG JESSIE U.

SAT SAT ACT ACT

1480 H 1560 1520 H 1560 29 H 33 26 H 35

Final Score: 1560 Final Score: 1560 Final Score: 33 Final Score: 35

Improvement: Improvement: Improvement: Improvement:

80 points 40 points 4 points 9 points

Average Test Prep Effort

36/1600
SCORE
Score

0
FEWER MORE
1-on-1 Tutoring Hours

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 15

Free Group Classes
„„ Spark Prep’s group classes allow students to gain skills, content,
and strategy in a highly interactive environment with peers at their same level.

„„ Small groups allow for high levels of personal attention.

„„ Our exclusive Online Platform allows instructors to see student progress in real time,
allowing classes to be tailored to the specific students in the room.

ACT and SAT Intensive Course

These 6-week courses, leading up to every international test date, cover all relevant exam material
through content modules, in-class quizzes, and 6 full mock tests.

SAT ACT

Ideal for Diagnostic Scores 1200-1450 25-34

Average Score Improvement (2017 Classes) 210 points 5 points

Duration 6 weeks 6 weeks

Hours of Instruction 24 hours 24 hours

Content Modules 80 modules 70 modules

In-Class Quizzes 25 quizzes 26 quizzes

Proctored Mock Tests with Custom Score Report 6 6

 Math & Verbal Foundations Course
These 6-8 week courses provide foundational skills critical for SAT and ACT Intensive classes,
the tests themselves, and college.

Math Verbal

SAT: Below 600 (per subject)

ACT: Below 25
Ideal for Diagnostic Scores
(Average of English & Reading
or Math & Science)

Duration 6-8 weeks 6-8 weeks

Hours of Instruction 27 hours 27 hours

In-Class Quizzes 12 quizzes 12 quizzes

Proctored Mock Tests with Custom Score Report 2 2

QUỲNH GIANG ANH THÁI ANH KHOA LINH TRANG

ACT ACT ACT SAT

30 H 34 34 H 36 27 H 33 1210 H 1480

Final Score: 34 Final Score: 36 Final Score: 33 Final Score: 1480

Improvement: Improvement: Improvement: Improvement:

4 points 2 points 6 points 270 points

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 17

TEST PREP CLASS
TESTIMONIALS
Quỳnh Giang
ACT 30 H 34
I am one very picky student, and I
am picky about my teachers, but the
course I had at Spark Prep is literally
one of the best classes I’ve ever had.
The class sizes are small, so you get
personal care by the teacher (which
I really love). The atmosphere is
great, and people are nice. I loved the
instructor. He is supportive mentally
too--I had breakdowns sometimes,
and he helped me a lot. He was willing
to send me more practices and essay
prompts so I was able to do extra
work, and he was willing to help
me with any additional material. In
general, the learning environment is
encouraging. You feel motivated to try
harder yourself.
We had discussion time before
we wrote essays, so we got to see
different points of view and exchange
thoughts.
This particularly helped the essay
writing component. And I have always
loved an open learning environment,
so Spark Prep is perfect for me.
Anh Khoa
ACT 27 H 33
After I received my October ACT,
I applied Early Decision II to Union
College and was just accepted a few
days ago.
The class discussion and interaction
was something unique that I really
liked about my course at Spark Prep.
I loved the experiences I had while
learning with Spark Prep, and I was
especially impressed by the Online
Platform and the testing system on
the computer during class.
Cường Hoàng
SAT 1210 H 1370
It was AMAZING!
I feel so lucky that I found you guys.
With Spark Prep, I was able to improve
by 160 points with only 2 months
of preparation. The 2018 May Test
was my first time taking the test and
I got 1370, which has boosted my
confidence to aim higher on the next
test. I loved everything about the class:
The learning platform introduced us
the concept effectively with a logical
organization, our instructor Hamit, to
me, is the best teacher I’ve ever had,
and last but not least, the people at
Spark Prep, from the peers in my class
to Zoey, Gwen, Trang, Luat... they
are all wonderful people who always
support, encourage and inspire me.
You guys are like my second family.
I love you Spark Prep! Keep up the
good work! Spark Prep is the best
center to do SAT prep in Hanoi.
Quốc Bình
SAT 1350 H 1490
I came to Spark Prep when I had
neither skills nor confidence. But when
I met Hamit, he showed a lot of faith
in me, gave me all the guidance I
needed, and also made me believe
in myself. Thanks to that, I have
improved so much, in terms of both
score and knowledge. Spark Prep SAT
Intensive class was definitely one of
the most wonderful experiences I’ve
ever had!
Nguyễn Vũ Tùng Lâm
SAT 1180 H 1360
Spark Prep SAT Intensive Class was an
entirely different learning experience
for me. Conventionally, the teacher
talks while students listen and finish
the work. At Spark Prep, students talk
and do the work while teacher listens
and instructs. This environment
created for everyone in my class,
or at least me, a sense of how true
learning should be.
Thảo My
SAT 1270 H 1420
Spark Prep is like a very great friend
that tries many ways to help you out,
literally. They are always bringing out
new study methods that fit each and
every student. The instructors are very
helpful, they will try their best to help
you figure out your weakness and find
ways to tackle those problems with
you. Moreover, they are so easy and
comfortable to talk to--they are super
cool and understanding. They will
check up on you regularly not just to
find out if your academic life is going
well, but your mental wellbeing, as
well!
In general, I think the Spark Prep
test prep courses are amazing, the
teachers are nice, the lessons and
content are effective, the location just
gets you in the mood to work hard.
And, there is always free food!
Anh Thái
ACT 34 H 36
This place is the best place to do an
ACT course.
“THE ENVIRONMENT AT SPARK PREP
CREATED FOR EVERYONE IN MY
CLASS A SENSE OF HOW TRUE
LEARNING SHOULD BE”
Nguyễn Vũ Tùng Lâm

Discover. Apply. Ignite. 19

Our students attend some of the best schools in the world

Contact Information:
Hotline: 098 788 1080
Website: www.sparkprep.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SparkPrep
Email: info@sparkprep.com