Sara Harberson Application Nation

[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 this! I also have a 2024 daughter but didn’t join the group since we already were using a private counselor. Was not 100% impressed with private counselor and think I will go Sara Harberson route with my 2026 kid.

When is best time to join AN? Looking at monthly list of topics for 2025, it seems to be May for when stuff gets really good? Is there much benefit to joining before May (that’s when they seem to start talking about essays)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 this! I also have a 2024 daughter but didn’t join the group since we already were using a private counselor. Was not 100% impressed with private counselor and think I will go Sara Harberson route with my 2026 kid.

When is best time to join AN? Looking at monthly list of topics for 2025, it seems to be May for when stuff gets really good? Is there much benefit to joining before May (that’s when they seem to start talking about essays)?

April May of junior year is a good time to join though there is some advice she shares that are relevant only if you get them earlier.

[Anonymous]

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

Agree 100%.

[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 don't agree with this advice. All 4s and 5s should be submitted.

[Anonymous]

Her AP advice depends on the school and other particulars

[Anonymous]

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

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

[Anonymous]

It so bums me out that she is touting Pitt to her whole group. DCUM’s little secret is out and now my HS junior probably won’t get in next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It so bums me out that she is touting Pitt to her whole group. DCUM’s little secret is out and now my HS junior probably won’t get in next year.

She probably got the idea here

[Anonymous]

Just engage with your child who you have known for a lifetime.

Don’t be suckers and fall for these people who prey on your insecurities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It so bums me out that she is touting Pitt to her whole group. DCUM’s little secret is out and now my HS junior probably won’t get in next year.

She probably got the idea here

Yesh Pitt is going tippy top you yinzers.

[Anonymous]

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

It is feedback, as requested. I am a PP who posted genuine answers to OPs questions. That my experience with Sara Harberson and Application Nation was extremely positive makes it no less genuine than if the reverse were true.
Jeff Selingo’s also excellent book is mentioned here a lot but I don’t hear him or his fans painted in this light.
OP, not every service is a good fit for everyone. This was for us. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

It is feedback, as requested. I am a PP who posted genuine answers to OPs questions. That my experience with Sara Harberson and Application Nation was extremely positive makes it no less genuine than if the reverse were true.
Jeff Selingo’s also excellent book is mentioned here a lot but I don’t hear him or his fans painted in this light.
OP, not every service is a good fit for everyone. This was for us. Hope that helps.

She seems very slick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

It is feedback, as requested. I am a PP who posted genuine answers to OPs questions. That my experience with Sara Harberson and Application Nation was extremely positive makes it no less genuine than if the reverse were true.
Jeff Selingo’s also excellent book is mentioned here a lot but I don’t hear him or his fans painted in this light.
OP, not every service is a good fit for everyone. This was for us. Hope that helps.

I’ve been painted in that light for referring to info provided by Selingo. It was current stuff from this past year and someone (who was not at all well versed in this field) accused me of trying to promote his book, which was not the source.

[Anonymous]

I agree her marketing is slick and almost makes one skeptical to her service. I suggest forking over the $12 to read her book and see if it resonates with you.

One of the better things about her service is that she sees in fairly strong detail what happens to a large number of competitive kids each year and can adjust her advice accordingly. Years ago when CC was flourishing I was able to get really good data just from reading the results threads. Unfortunately the kids moved onto Reddit, and the datapoints there aren't nearly as plentiful. I still vaguely know the bar for some schools, but not nearly as well as I did back then.