Sara Harberson Application Nation

[Anonymous]

Why do y’all want to waste money?
Especially if you are not applying to top 25 colleges, the process is pretty straightforward.
My two older kids went to top 15 colleges and we didn’t use anyone. There is so much good stuff on the internet now. Spend a little time there and encourage your kid to do the same.
Some of the college blogs are incredibly helpful. Use common sense. We went through multiple essay drafts. Ask close friends to review and give comments. Pick people who are accomplished and you know are smart. Essay should be interesting to read, reasonably well written and say something about the kid. It all takes time and effort but very doable without spending money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do y’all want to waste money?
Especially if you are not applying to top 25 colleges, the process is pretty straightforward.
My two older kids went to top 15 colleges and we didn’t use anyone. There is so much good stuff on the internet now. Spend a little time there and encourage your kid to do the same.
Some of the college blogs are incredibly helpful. Use common sense. We went through multiple essay drafts. Ask close friends to review and give comments. Pick people who are accomplished and you know are smart. Essay should be interesting to read, reasonably well written and say something about the kid. It all takes time and effort but very doable without spending money

+1 My kid is at an Ivy and we didn't hire anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does she personally help with the essays?

Either her or someone on team, and then they all review/discuss (or so she says)….

Well, that’s a big difference whether it’s her or it’s someone on her team.

Or chatgpt+ loL

With that many signing up I would not be surprised.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids at HYPSM (unhooked) from an overrepresented geopgraphic area and didn't hire any help. They had the typical high academic stats, aren't athletes, didn't participate in academic olympiads, and had strong, but not exceptional ECs. I think they were honest, authentic and it showed through their essays. Recs probably were also very strong.

[Anonymous]

Disgusting that people pay these prices to buy admissions. I wish colleges got rid of essays and just used grades and test scores.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone used her essay editing? Worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her AP advice depends on the school and other particulars

That makes more sense than a blanket don’t submit 4s

Her hesitation to submit 4s to highly selective schools originated with her seeing kid(s) rejected for 4(s) at Penn when she worked in admissions there many years ago. My guess is that it was in Stem. But at a T20, you want mainly 5s. I don’t think a couple 4s will usually matter, unless they’re like in Calc and Physics 1 taken in 11th grade and you’re applying as an engineering major.

This is a lot of kids, though. My engineering major didn't report a 4 in physics.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone received their revised personal statements?
Any feedback?

Will keep folks apprised on my add-ons and revisions when I get them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do y’all want to waste money?
Especially if you are not applying to top 25 colleges, the process is pretty straightforward.
My two older kids went to top 15 colleges and we didn’t use anyone. There is so much good stuff on the internet now. Spend a little time there and encourage your kid to do the same.
Some of the college blogs are incredibly helpful. Use common sense. We went through multiple essay drafts. Ask close friends to review and give comments. Pick people who are accomplished and you know are smart. Essay should be interesting to read, reasonably well written and say something about the kid. It all takes time and effort but very doable without spending money

I am kicking myself for doing it.

I tell everyone I know the whole industry is a scam and preys off student and parent fears.

College consultants like to make it seems SO difficult with so many nuances and so many potential pitfalls. They make every college seem more selective than they are. Have a balanced list people, and do your own research. If you must hire someone, do it for the essay only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do y’all want to waste money?
Especially if you are not applying to top 25 colleges, the process is pretty straightforward.
My two older kids went to top 15 colleges and we didn’t use anyone. There is so much good stuff on the internet now. Spend a little time there and encourage your kid to do the same.
Some of the college blogs are incredibly helpful. Use common sense. We went through multiple essay drafts. Ask close friends to review and give comments. Pick people who are accomplished and you know are smart. Essay should be interesting to read, reasonably well written and say something about the kid. It all takes time and effort but very doable without spending money

I am kicking myself for doing it.

I tell everyone I know the whole industry is a scam and preys off student and parent fears.

College consultants like to make it seems SO difficult with so many nuances and so many potential pitfalls. They make every college seem more selective than they are. Have a balanced list people, and do your own research. If you must hire someone, do it for the essay only.

That’s what we did the 2nd time around. Learned so much here; YCBK; webinars and even on Reddit.
Essay help is pricey though, but less than the full service 10-25k private counselors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone pay for the 1-1 essay topics and 1-1 essay review?

Was it worth it?

I mean, based on the comments here, I'm guessing it is NOT worth it.

How much does she charge for this?

I was also wondering about the essay editing.

Just read a horrible criticism of her editing from a kid on Reddit too. So I’m reluctant to pay the $$$ until I get more direct feedback?

I think there are parents waxing on and on about how beautifully edited the essays are - which concerns me. I don’t think the essay is supposed to look “perfect”…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone pay for the 1-1 essay topics and 1-1 essay review?

Was it worth it?

I mean, based on the comments here, I'm guessing it is NOT worth it.

How much does she charge for this?

I was also wondering about the essay editing.

Just read a horrible criticism of her editing from a kid on Reddit too. So I’m reluctant to pay the $$$ until I get more direct feedback?

I think there are parents waxing on and on about how beautifully edited the essays are - which concerns me. I don’t think the essay is supposed to look “perfect”…

Exactly.

I do this for friends and family when asked. I ALWAYS try to make sure it's the kid's voice -- just clear and free of errors. How much does Sara charge?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone pay for the 1-1 essay topics and 1-1 essay review?

Was it worth it?

I mean, based on the comments here, I'm guessing it is NOT worth it.

How much does she charge for this?

I was also wondering about the essay editing.

Just read a horrible criticism of her editing from a kid on Reddit too. So I’m reluctant to pay the $$$ until I get more direct feedback?

I think there are parents waxing on and on about how beautifully edited the essays are - which concerns me. I don’t think the essay is supposed to look “perfect”…

I would never pay a marketing behemoth to read/edit my kid’s essay. Does Haberman even read them herself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone pay for the 1-1 essay topics and 1-1 essay review?

Was it worth it?

I mean, based on the comments here, I'm guessing it is NOT worth it.

How much does she charge for this?

I was also wondering about the essay editing.

Just read a horrible criticism of her editing from a kid on Reddit too. So I’m reluctant to pay the $$$ until I get more direct feedback?

I think there are parents waxing on and on about how beautifully edited the essays are - which concerns me. I don’t think the essay is supposed to look “perfect”…

I would never pay a marketing behemoth to read/edit my kid’s essay. Does Haberman even read them herself?

Yes, she’s very hands on. Only a small subset of the parent group does the essay editing (probably less than 100-200).

It’s a thousand or so for every main essay, one set of supplements

[Anonymous]

Is it too late to join with a senior?
Essay review?