Application Nation - Class of 2026 is launching in January! Join the waitlist now to get 20% off your first month.  JOIN THE WAITLIST

Sara Harberson

Sara Harberson is the founder of Application Nation™, which provides personalized advice to college applicants and their families. In her book, SOUNDBITE: The Admissions Secret that Gets You Into College and Beyond, Sara reveals the secrets of her signature college admissions tool, the "Soundbite," and shares tried-and-tested exercises that have helped thousands of students gain admission to their school of choice. She is the former associate dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania and the former dean of admissions and financial aid at Franklin & Marshall College. Sara’s philosophy is that every kid applying to college deserves the best advice.
Find me on:

Recent Posts

Why focus on "Why?" for better college essays

After reading hundreds of thousands of essays over the years as an admissions officer, dean of[...]

The plum opportunity of the college interview

Many years ago as a senior in college, I landed an internship in the admissions office interviewing[...]

#CollegeBoundStories: The Reimagined Gap Year

"My mom had me when she was 16. She's a nurse. I think she's done very well for herself. She has[...]

How important are Summer jobs for college applications?

I often read a variety of articles that I feel would be helpful to share. In this recent New York[...]

What Every Parent Needs to Know About the College Application Process

As parents, we’re constantly and fiercely dedicated to making sure our kids are on the right path[...]