Sara Harberson Application Nation

[Anonymous]

The guides posted in the FB group and Live stream calls where she does Q&A are helpful. She does not offer one-on-one consulting or answer Qs privately via messenger or email, but she is very responsive to any question posted on the FB group. Her advice has been so helpful. She also provides a good dose of reality. Plus there are over 700 members from all over the country for the class of 2024 alone so you get good perspective and info - eg people post college tours, advice on things they learned from prior experience going thru the process with their older kids etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She answers any q posted in the board for free.

The essay topics she recommends are so specific to the kid plagiarism would make no sense. Only topics are discussed, not entire essays.

Any essay posted online can be scanned by plagiarism detection software. If the software sees the essay later (I.e. when a kid submits it with app) then the software will mark it as plagiarized.

No essays are posted online n Sara’s site. Not an issue

[Anonymous]

The draft essay is NOT posted on FB or anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Is there data provided to AN members? Eg, charts with stats of previous AN applicants and outcomes?

[Anonymous]

I'm a member of the Class of 2024 group and I agree with the positive comments that others have posted. SH answers questions in the group promptly (within 24 hours) and thoughtfully. She often brings up nuances that I would not have thought of otherwise. She has a couple of people working the group with her (including one who is an expert on the UC system) so I've never seen a question, even an arcane one, go unanswered for too long. I joined early so I've been paying $69/month, not $79.

As far as the essays: they are not posted publicly. You are given the opportunity to post your topic ideas, and she will approve those or guide you in another direction. We did not take part in any of the 1:1 offers (because I actually also use a local private counselor) but the people who do have given marvelous feedback and seem to have had incredible results as far as the admissions decisions that have already been released. Honestly, I have found it to be money well spent.

Literally my only criticism is that there are some people who post a LOT in just a braggy kind of way (posts that are about their own child - not things that are useful to the group) but whatever; I can tune that out. But I am almost dreading the alumni group because there is someone in that group who is a total know-it-all but actually kinda doesn't know a whole lot and sucks all the air out of the discussion. But a lot of parents think that person is helpful and hilarious, so maybe it's just me.

I have also found her MANY guides and examples (she posts dozens of pages of sample essays, LOCIs, activity lists, etc.) every month to be well worth the money. It has also been helpful to see what "top" students nationally look like. I have what I thought was a high stats kid with amazing ECs, but when you see what some of the students around the country are doing, you start to realize that your student is a small fish in a big pond (and adjust your list appropriately.)

Anyway, I definitely recommend. Happy to answer more questions.

[Anonymous]

These comments feel like planted ads for this paid service

[Anonymous]

You people are gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These comments feel like planted ads for this paid service

+1000

But well done. Gotta give props to those ppsts that throw in a “negative” among the list of positive reasons to join. It’s very believable and I imagine it attracts many in this site.
Great work, SH marketing team!

[Anonymous]

I am not the last poster and am definitely not part of a marketing team but 100% agree it’s a really good service. Agree with prior poster that some of the parents are annoying humblebragging, but I’ve been impressed by some others as well. One knows so much she could be a counselor herself. Overall it’s a more supportive community than I would have anticipated (which is nice, as I don’t find my school community to be particularly supportive).

I had some unusual questions come up that were highly personal — given their nature she was willing to answer offline.

Child got in to first choice. I’ve told everyone I know with a high school kid to sign up.

[Anonymous]

Is it anonymous or is your name on the FB page?

[Anonymous]

can you sign up for a single month and go back and read all prior posts? I really don't like FB group dynamics and find parents annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone a member of her Application Nation 202x private Facebook groups? Is it worth it to join? How is the advice she provides in the private Facebook groups?

Have you used any of her exclusive offers? How much were her exclusive offers?

I think her advice is generally helpful but you have to choose what best fits for you. For e.g. she asks you to not report 4's in APs generally. But for some kids, you have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone a member of her Application Nation 202x private Facebook groups? Is it worth it to join? How is the advice she provides in the private Facebook groups?

Have you used any of her exclusive offers? How much were her exclusive offers?

I think her advice is generally helpful but you have to choose what best fits for you. For e.g. she asks you to not report 4's in APs generally. But for some kids, you have to.

I agree with her on this -- at least for top 40 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a member of the Class of 2024 group and I agree with the positive comments that others have posted. SH answers questions in the group promptly (within 24 hours) and thoughtfully. She often brings up nuances that I would not have thought of otherwise. She has a couple of people working the group with her (including one who is an expert on the UC system) so I've never seen a question, even an arcane one, go unanswered for too long. I joined early so I've been paying $69/month, not $79.

As far as the essays: they are not posted publicly. You are given the opportunity to post your topic ideas, and she will approve those or guide you in another direction. We did not take part in any of the 1:1 offers (because I actually also use a local private counselor) but the people who do have given marvelous feedback and seem to have had incredible results as far as the admissions decisions that have already been released. Honestly, I have found it to be money well spent.

Literally my only criticism is that there are some people who post a LOT in just a braggy kind of way (posts that are about their own child - not things that are useful to the group) but whatever; I can tune that out. But I am almost dreading the alumni group because there is someone in that group who is a total know-it-all but actually kinda doesn't know a whole lot and sucks all the air out of the discussion. But a lot of parents think that person is helpful and hilarious, so maybe it's just me.

I have also found her MANY guides and examples (she posts dozens of pages of sample essays, LOCIs, activity lists, etc.) every month to be well worth the money. It has also been helpful to see what "top" students nationally look like. I have what I thought was a high stats kid with amazing ECs, but when you see what some of the students around the country are doing, you start to realize that your student is a small fish in a big pond (and adjust your list appropriately.)

Anyway, I definitely recommend. Happy to answer more questions.

Thank you for posting this. Very nice of you. I am glad it was a good experience. Considering AN when my DD is applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These comments feel like planted ads for this paid service

+1