Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:32     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:Haven't read all the thread, but I did AN for both my kids (c/o 22 and c/o 25). They're in a large public high school where 38% of kids go on to 4 year colleges & are more concerned about getting kids graduated than into college (fixing typo). The monthly fee was worth it for the zooms and info in the group. I did no add-ons. Hadn't planned on joining with my 2nd, but that kid had a different profile than my first. Joined much later and left earlier, once I got the pieces I needed. Found it all very helpful, though knew to take it with a grain of salt. She needs to be very black/white with advice to fit most, when often there's grey area. My c/o 22 got into 7/8 schools and my c/o 25 got into 7/7. Much of that was due to my own research, but with the tools I gained from AN.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:31     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Haven't read all the thread, but I did AN for both my kids (c/o 22 and c/o 25). They're in a large public high school where 38% of kids go on to 4 year colleges & are more concerned about getting kids graduated than into high school. The monthly fee was worth it for the zooms and info in the group. I did no add-ons. Hadn't planned on joining with my 2nd, but that kid had a different profile than my first. Joined much later and left earlier, once I got the pieces I needed. Found it all very helpful, though knew to take it with a grain of salt. She needs to be very black/white with advice to fit most, when often there's grey area. My c/o 22 got into 7/8 schools and my c/o 25 got into 7/7. Much of that was due to my own research, but with the tools I gained from AN.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:28     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:SH's entire focus is on schools ranked above T75. Every single thing about her is getting into colleges in the range of T75 to T200. If you don't believe me, believe her soundbite "America's college counselor". She is focussed on the market where majority of the people are going to school and they are not T75.

So some of her advice is actively positively determinantal to T20 schools.



“Ranked above T75”??? where on earth did you get that idea — just her soundbite?

I disagree. Most of the parents who join are rich, send their kids to private schools or are using her as one of the counseling services — as such, most ARE aiming for the T20’s.

I do agree that some of her advice is outdated or perhaps applicable only to Penn, but anyone who has above average intelligence can see that or ask their school counselor.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:27     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
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


Yes, see my comment above.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:24     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:How do you find your HS profile that they send to colleges?


If not on your school’s website, you can ask your counselor. Sara said to do that.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:23     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This thread has taken an awful turn but I think it's important to note that her daughter applied ED to Dickinson - she wanted to go there and didn't settle. Application Nation is about setting expectations - they do provide plenty of advice for Ivy plus schools but they also reiterate the message that "Ivy or bust" is not healthy, there are tons of other schools out there, etc. And top rigor, very strong grades, and very strong SAT/ACT scores are all needed in order to even have a chance of applying to elite schools according to them - they DO not teach you "tricks" for having essays and/or ECs that will "make up" for the lack of rigor/grades/test scores.


I agree with this. Now that I am in the alumni group, I see the caliber and quality of the graduates as many parents are posting their college graduate photos and updates. It’s quite amazing the elite group that she has advised.

I think it’s an amazing product that is hard to replicate. The main principals have a lot of heart and soul invested each member’s application process. I do think that the more add-on services you do, the more they get to know your kid and the easier it is for them to provide custom advice.


I did AN and I don’t think anyone should sign on for the add-on services, especially the essay editing. That’s not the point of college counseling. Sara teaches everyone how to put their best foot forward and I think kids should be able to take it from there. No need to have her re-write your essays — she is an amazing writer and, IMO, is ruining kids’ chances by not preserving their voices. There’s a post on Reddit about her essay editing service. I recommend AN but without the add-ons.

Fair warning to potential customers: I think the pressure of being in a group with parents who constantly brag about their kids who don’t even get into the super selective colleges can be soooooo draining. I remember a few moms who had multiple counselors. Yikes! The fancy private school is not enough, you need 5-6 former AOs to advise your kid? And sometimes questions go unanswered if they don’t like you, which can be demoralizing even if you’re not the one being ignored. For the most part, questions are answered, but sometimes….SMH
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 20:14     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
I will probably get pilloried for this, but if you are an intelligent, engaged parent, with a high performing kid who doesn't have to get into a T20, and can accept acceptances in the T30 to T100 range, you can do it yourself with your kid.

If you and your kid can identify a range of 8 to 12 schools with reaches, targets and likely safeties, schools that fit with your kid's values and academic objectives, you and your kid can make good decisions that will get them accepted at a school that suits them. Being realistic goes a long way.

We did it. It is laborious, but as long as your kid is honest, sincere and thoughtful, having identified schools that are good fits, there should be some acceptances. AOs recognize candor and a lack of exaggeration seems to be appreciated. I agree with the parents here who utilized Sara through her social media presence, I did the same with a number of other CCs.

If you have editing skills where you can exercise a soft touch, and tighten up their essays while allowing them to pick their questions, draft the answers and retain their voice, that is hugely helpful. We emphasized showing some of the personality that goes along with the academic and EC record.



Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 19:39     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:How do you find your HS profile that they send to colleges?


It should be linked on the HS website. Probably on the college counseling page.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 19:25     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
How do you find your HS profile that they send to colleges?
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 18:48     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This thread has taken an awful turn but I think it's important to note that her daughter applied ED to Dickinson - she wanted to go there and didn't settle. Application Nation is about setting expectations - they do provide plenty of advice for Ivy plus schools but they also reiterate the message that "Ivy or bust" is not healthy, there are tons of other schools out there, etc. And top rigor, very strong grades, and very strong SAT/ACT scores are all needed in order to even have a chance of applying to elite schools according to them - they DO not teach you "tricks" for having essays and/or ECs that will "make up" for the lack of rigor/grades/test scores.


I agree with this. Now that I am in the alumni group, I see the caliber and quality of the graduates as many parents are posting their college graduate photos and updates. It’s quite amazing the elite group that she has advised.

I think it’s an amazing product that is hard to replicate. The main principals have a lot of heart and soul invested each member’s application process. I do think that the more add-on services you do, the more they get to know your kid and the easier it is for them to provide custom advice.


💯
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 18:22     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:This thread has taken an awful turn but I think it's important to note that her daughter applied ED to Dickinson - she wanted to go there and didn't settle. Application Nation is about setting expectations - they do provide plenty of advice for Ivy plus schools but they also reiterate the message that "Ivy or bust" is not healthy, there are tons of other schools out there, etc. And top rigor, very strong grades, and very strong SAT/ACT scores are all needed in order to even have a chance of applying to elite schools according to them - they DO not teach you "tricks" for having essays and/or ECs that will "make up" for the lack of rigor/grades/test scores.


I agree with this. Now that I am in the alumni group, I see the caliber and quality of the graduates as many parents are posting their college graduate photos and updates. It’s quite amazing the elite group that she has advised.

I think it’s an amazing product that is hard to replicate. The main principals have a lot of heart and soul invested each member’s application process. I do think that the more add-on services you do, the more they get to know your kid and the easier it is for them to provide custom advice.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 17:43     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
This thread has taken an awful turn but I think it's important to note that her daughter applied ED to Dickinson - she wanted to go there and didn't settle. Application Nation is about setting expectations - they do provide plenty of advice for Ivy plus schools but they also reiterate the message that "Ivy or bust" is not healthy, there are tons of other schools out there, etc. And top rigor, very strong grades, and very strong SAT/ACT scores are all needed in order to even have a chance of applying to elite schools according to them - they DO not teach you "tricks" for having essays and/or ECs that will "make up" for the lack of rigor/grades/test scores.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 17:31     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:Sara has always thought very positively about SLACS. https://www.saraharberson.com/blog/why-i-love-small-liberal-arts-colleges.

If you want someone who sent their kid to a fancy school, you can pay $90k (yes, you read that right) to Top Tier Admissions. Michele Hernandez' kid got into Princeton.


Top tier is quite good.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 17:28     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If Sara is so good why did her daughter go to Dickinson?


I asked that last year and got dumped on. Of course it is something a little strange. What “she” accomplishes personally (for her kid) is a reflection of what she can accomplish for other kids. No different from who the kids of plastic surgeons, SAT tutors, dermatologist, etc. show as their kids’ results.


This is a vile perspective so I’m glad you got dumped on. Do you see the role of the private counselor as “helping” the student get into the most prestigious school possible, or providing guidance and managing expectations in what is a complicated and daunting process to the uninitiated? You and plenty others on this board would say the former, so I hope you all feel good about buying your kid a spot at whatever school you think is “prestigious” enough. The counselor’s role should be to help the kid put their best foot forward. Not every kid’s foot lands in Cambridge or Palo Alto. And none of even think to consider what personal choices may have motivated that decision like a merit award or proximity to home. I’m not really a SH person but for gods sake leave her kid out of it.


There is a difference bw a parent coming and saying this is my kid and the kid says this is my profile…and SH saying aim lower or you’re likely not getting in here or here.

And

A self proclaimed expert who can help guide her own kid from beginning to end. Example: she talks about how to write the perfect essays, curate a soundbite which she claims is the admission secret, etc.

You can’t say: I am America’s College Counselor (self deemed) and I will empower your child to reach your kid’s college dreams AND also be what you’re saying (one who manages expectations). The former sells her program, the latter is what is needed. No question it is what is needed…but that’s completely different from HER words about having your kid reach their college dreams.

Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 16:56     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Sara has always thought very positively about SLACS. https://www.saraharberson.com/blog/why-i-love-small-liberal-arts-colleges.

If you want someone who sent their kid to a fancy school, you can pay $90k (yes, you read that right) to Top Tier Admissions. Michele Hernandez' kid got into Princeton.