Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 16:21     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
As with all consultants, its impossible to know if the "results" are from her services or from the fact that her clients are advantaged families.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 16:13     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
I'm sure she gets some results for families who want to outsource this stuff, but I am incredibly turned off by the lack of diversity on her website and among her staff. In this era, it's pretty appalling to see zero diversity.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 15:58     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
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 think it is worth joining for the summer and fall before college apps. don't expect it to get your kid to a highly selective college unless already qualified but the forum is useful for answering questions that you want a quick answer and or don't want to bother your school counselor.
TWO THINGS THAT SHE DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE ADVICE:
1. Not reporting AP scores above 5. Sometimes you have to report a 4. otherwise the AOs will think you got a 2 or 3.
2. She makes a blanket no-no to all paid summer programs. This is NOT true. Competitive summer programs even if paid is definitely worth it. emphasis is on "competitive" like SSP, USB RMP, RSI, Ross, MITES etc.



and one more thing--please be wary of her essay editing services. the edited essays provided as examples all sounded too polished and bit same.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 15:57     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
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 think it is worth joining for the summer and fall before college apps. don't expect it to get your kid to a highly selective college unless already qualified but the forum is useful for answering questions that you want a quick answer and or don't want to bother your school counselor.
TWO THINGS THAT SHE DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE ADVICE:
1. Not reporting AP scores above 5. Sometimes you have to report a 4. otherwise the AOs will think you got a 2 or 3.
2. She makes a blanket no-no to all paid summer programs. This is NOT true. Competitive summer programs even if paid is definitely worth it. emphasis is on "competitive" like SSP, USB RMP, RSI, Ross, MITES etc.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 15:31     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
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?
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 15:20     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anyone pay for the 1-1 essay topics and 1-1 essay review?

Was it worth it?
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2024 20:32     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Personally she seems very plastic.
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 17:04     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Her advice seems fairly generic. Her free stuff is good enough. No need to pay her money
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 16:33     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ummm, are you also paying attention to her social media which shows inside her massive closet and Gucci shoes? And Caribbean vacations. You don't think you're paying for that!


Not only her! Her youngest daughter is always out in Fendi outfits and whatnot. ANd this is exactly my thought - she must be doing SO well to be able to afford her lifestyle (I think her hubby is a medical professional so much make good income too. But just the fact that she *can* buy all high end name brands must mean their income is really, really good).


I found this so off-putting too. It’s embarrassing.
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 16:31     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Why so many responses to an infomercial?
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 15:38     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She hasn't been inside an admissions office in a decade and counselors I know say they never see at national conferences meant to learn what's actually happening in admissions offices. In other words, her info is old and outdated. Buyer beware.


This is interesting.

There are a lot of "I worked in admissions once" people out there. She's really good at marketing herself.


She is the Kardashian of college admissions.

All so artificial. "I am in tears after talking to your child, she is so awesome" for every other kid. She will reveal "secret about..." in the next something. The secret being what everyone who spends an hour learning about admissions or reading one book would know. She has so many secrets, Chinese must be spying on her...


I do find these remarks so off-putting from her. Her staff now emulates it. Its embarrassing.
Also, one of the soundbites that someone posted this week is so over-engineered it sounds like a 42 yo doctor....oh wait. The mom is a 45yo+ doctor!


lol, care to share? This is ridiculous. Is she the lady who wrote sound bites? Do colleges actually like this stuff?
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 15:25     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She hasn't been inside an admissions office in a decade and counselors I know say they never see at national conferences meant to learn what's actually happening in admissions offices. In other words, her info is old and outdated. Buyer beware.


This is interesting.

There are a lot of "I worked in admissions once" people out there. She's really good at marketing herself.


She is the Kardashian of college admissions.

All so artificial. "I am in tears after talking to your child, she is so awesome" for every other kid. She will reveal "secret about..." in the next something. The secret being what everyone who spends an hour learning about admissions or reading one book would know. She has so many secrets, Chinese must be spying on her...


I do find these remarks so off-putting from her. Her staff now emulates it. Its embarrassing.
Also, one of the soundbites that someone posted this week is so over-engineered it sounds like a 42 yo doctor....oh wait. The mom is a 45yo+ doctor!
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 14:39     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She hasn't been inside an admissions office in a decade and counselors I know say they never see at national conferences meant to learn what's actually happening in admissions offices. In other words, her info is old and outdated. Buyer beware.


This is interesting.

There are a lot of "I worked in admissions once" people out there. She's really good at marketing herself.


She is the Kardashian of college admissions.

All so artificial. "I am in tears after talking to your child, she is so awesome" for every other kid. She will reveal "secret about..." in the next something. The secret being what everyone who spends an hour learning about admissions or reading one book would know. She has so many secrets, Chinese must be spying on her...
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 14:35     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
I didn't join because we knew more than the average person from our own research but she is not bad. Talked to her personally about her services and she was very nice.
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2024 14:34     Subject: Sara Harberson Application Nation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ummm, are you also paying attention to her social media which shows inside her massive closet and Gucci shoes? And Caribbean vacations. You don't think you're paying for that!


Not only her! Her youngest daughter is always out in Fendi outfits and whatnot. ANd this is exactly my thought - she must be doing SO well to be able to afford her lifestyle (I think her hubby is a medical professional so much make good income too. But just the fact that she *can* buy all high end name brands must mean their income is really, really good).


$69-79 per person per month in each AN group. IIRC AN2024 had 400+. Conservatively, that's $27,600/month just for that group - not to mention AN25/26 and the private sessions.

That being said, I don't begrudge her her lifestyle and I'm not one to judge people for the clothes they buy.


+1. There are people paying $500+/hr for this type of service. How do you think those counselors live?


Apples to Pineapple...

In one, you are getting advice on a message board. On the other, you are getting one on one advice.

In one, all your information is public to whoever is in the group. On the other, there is privacy.

Also if you want a little more personal advice, you pay more than $1000 per hour in addition to $79 per month.