Sara Harberson

APRIL 10, 2025

This week, I launched a new, free guide, "Ten Things To Do the Summer before Senior Year." In just three days, we have close to 800 downloads. Clearly, this topic is on the minds of many. But it got me thinking about what's on my mind these days too.

Extracurricular 130

Extracurricular Applications 130

Sara Harberson

APRIL 24, 2025

Max, my middle child, is sandwiched between an older sister and a younger sister. He is in 9th grade and up until now hasn't expressed an ounce of interest in the college admissions process. Ninth grade is early, mind you. However, when he told me that he wanted to attend his school's upcoming college fair last week, I almost fell off my chair. When he asked if we could talk about the fair in advance, I couldn't believe my ears.

College Fairs 130

College Fairs Admissions 130

Sara Harberson

MAY 29, 2025

With the school year coming to an end and my son showing increasing interest in the whole college experience, we are planning some college visits for the summer. Knowing him, we have to ease our way into this first major step of the process. Goodness, he just finished freshman year. Frankly, though, easing into college visits is an approach I recommend for all families.

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180

Sara Harberson

JUNE 12, 2025

By now, you’ve probably heard: the ACT has rolled out a new version of its test called the Enhanced ACT , where students can take a shorter, slower-paced test without the dreaded Science section. But is that all that’s changed? And are those changes as good for testers as they sound? Unsurprisingly, the focus on these widely publicized changes has led to some misconceptions about how this plays out in practice.

ACT 223

ACT Testing Standardized Testing 223

Sara Harberson

MAY 15, 2025

Dear Class of 2025 Graduates, Congratulations on your impending graduation. As many have told you, it is a milestone. Your family will gather. They will celebrate you. And, you will mark this day as a lifelong memory. I still remember my own high school graduation. It felt monumental at the time. It was.

High School 241

High School 241

Sara Harberson

JULY 3, 2025

I remember exactly the year when I heard the expression that once July 4th hits, summer is basically over. I had just graduated college and I was attending a fancy party on the water with fireworks with a college friend of mine who grew up in a coastal town. I was out of my element on many levels. It was also the first time I felt like an adult. It rattled me.

High School 264

High School 264

Sara Harberson

JUNE 19, 2025

So many students tell me they have no idea what they want to do with their lives. They feel paralyzed about selecting a major because they think they need to commit to a lifelong career at age 17. The truth is that students aren't expected to do this. In fact, colleges know that students often change their minds. But the most successful students in the admissions process are ones that focus less on the distant future and more on what they simply want (or think they want) to study—right now.

Applications 255

Applications Admissions 255

Sara Harberson

MAY 8, 2025

The College Board emailed families yesterday notifying them of three National Recognition Awards, which students could be eligible for starting in 2025. Two of the awards have been around for several years: Rural/Small Town Recognition Award and First-Generation Recognition Award. The third award is new: School Recognition Award. Noticeably absent are the three racial/ethnic awards that have been available for years: National Recognition Award for Black Students, Hispanic Students, and Native Am

Applications 130

Applications 130

Sara Harberson

JUNE 5, 2025

A few months ago, my 15-year-old son, Max, announced that he wanted to get a summer job after finishing up freshman year. What I told him in response will surprise many. Hint, I told him "no." The reason behind my answer is complex.

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240

Sara Harberson

MARCH 31, 2023

As most colleges have now released admissions decisions, I get asked by students on a daily basis about appeals—all different types of appeals. What are the odds? What do I need to do? And when does it need to be done by? There are multiple types of appeals in college admissions.

Admissions 264

Admissions Financial Aid Scholarships 264

Sara Harberson

MARCH 23, 2023

I used to take such pride when I wrote a letter of recommendation for a student. As the school counselor at a high school, I carefully crafted letters that I knew admissions officers wanted to read. After spending the first half of my career as an admissions officer and dean of admissions, I was keenly aware of what those letters of recommendation could do for a student.

Letters of Recommendation 246

Letters of Recommendation Admissions High School 246

Sara Harberson

MARCH 20, 2023

My Facebook Live Q&A in March garnered college admissions questions from parents and students across the country on topics like letters of recommendation, test-optional colleges, admissions decisions, and much more! If you missed this session of Ask America's College Counselor, keep reading for a list of some of the questions I answered and to watch the full video.

Letters of Recommendation 190

Letters of Recommendation Admissions Testing 190