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Soundbite: The Admissions Secret that Gets You Into College and Beyond
Crack the code to college admissions and help students craft the ultimate statement of self-identity and get into their school of choice with this groundbreaking guide from America's College Counselor.
On average, an admissions committee takes seconds to decide whether to admit a student. They must sum up the student in one sentence that will tell them if a student is going to be a good fit for their program.
What is the best way to transform this admissions process from a stressful, pressure-cooker arms race into an empowering journey that paves the way to the best individual outcome?
Written by a college admissions insider turned consultant, Soundbite guides parents and students through the admissions process from start to finish. Armed with her knowledge of how the system works, Sara Harberson shares tried-and-tested exercises that have helped thousands of students gain admission to their school of choice. The soundbite, her signature tool, presents an opportunity for students to take the reins to craft their ultimate statement of self-identity and formulate their own personal definition of what is best. With this soundbite in place as their foundation, students achieve maximum impact when they present themselves to colleges. In doing so, the tables are the student's fate no longer rests on a soundbite composed by an admissions officer. Instead, the student employs their own soundbite to define themselves on their own terms. Soundbite shifts the way we talk about the admissions process—from "Getting You In" to "Getting the Best You In."
On average, an admissions committee takes seconds to decide whether to admit a student. They must sum up the student in one sentence that will tell them if a student is going to be a good fit for their program.
What is the best way to transform this admissions process from a stressful, pressure-cooker arms race into an empowering journey that paves the way to the best individual outcome?
Written by a college admissions insider turned consultant, Soundbite guides parents and students through the admissions process from start to finish. Armed with her knowledge of how the system works, Sara Harberson shares tried-and-tested exercises that have helped thousands of students gain admission to their school of choice. The soundbite, her signature tool, presents an opportunity for students to take the reins to craft their ultimate statement of self-identity and formulate their own personal definition of what is best. With this soundbite in place as their foundation, students achieve maximum impact when they present themselves to colleges. In doing so, the tables are the student's fate no longer rests on a soundbite composed by an admissions officer. Instead, the student employs their own soundbite to define themselves on their own terms. Soundbite shifts the way we talk about the admissions process—from "Getting You In" to "Getting the Best You In."
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 6, 2021
64 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 2, 2021
A great book to help with the college admissions process and to help figure yourself out!
January 22, 2022
Unfortunately the book is one idea and it’s just reiterated about 60 times.
April 4, 2023
I have been following Sara Harberson's webpage for years and she has informed me greatly on the college admission process. If you have not heard of her and you have a college-bound high school student, her blogs, videos and FB groups are great!
But this book has different information from some of the other college advise books I have read recently. And it is different from her other material. This book is about crafting your "story" and telling it succinctly on your college application. And this can be difficult for teenagers to do.
I will warn you that most of her information is geared for neurotypical students who are interested in highly selective schools. But the roots of the book...introspection, verbalizing what makes your student unique, weaving that throughout the college application, is not something that a typical high school guidance counselor has time to do.
If you are looking for the basics of college admissions, this is NOT the book for you. There are plenty others out there that give good overview. This book is a bit deeper than that.
But this book has different information from some of the other college advise books I have read recently. And it is different from her other material. This book is about crafting your "story" and telling it succinctly on your college application. And this can be difficult for teenagers to do.
I will warn you that most of her information is geared for neurotypical students who are interested in highly selective schools. But the roots of the book...introspection, verbalizing what makes your student unique, weaving that throughout the college application, is not something that a typical high school guidance counselor has time to do.
If you are looking for the basics of college admissions, this is NOT the book for you. There are plenty others out there that give good overview. This book is a bit deeper than that.
August 11, 2022
I have been watching Sara Harberson's Instagram and Facebook lives on college admissions and been following her social media accounts for months—close to a year, actually—and I have been meaning to read her book ever since I found out about it all those months ago. I thought that, with my own college application process really revving up right now, now was a better time than ever.
While I don't think you will glean much information from this book that you couldn't get through Sara's amazing free resources, this was still a really great insight and further deep-dive into her thoughts and advice on college admissions. The soundbite concept is so unique and I think it is what really separates this book from so many others that deal with a similar topic (A.K.A. the college admissions world/sphere). Plus, the specific examples given in here are incredibly helpful!! And the addition of the worksheets is so amazing. I will definitely be working on those as I go through this whirlwind college admissions process. My only complaint is that it is slightly redundant, and, again, does not provide a TON of information that you can't get from Sara's wealth of free resources.
Sara's writing is so easy to read. If you can, I'd absolutely recommend getting the audiobook as it is narrated by Sara herself. Her voice and personality come through on the page, of course, but they are electrified with the audio version. She is obviously qualified having worked in the admissions office at the University of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League institution and top National University!), being the Dean of Admissions at Franklin & Marshall College (a top National Liberal Arts College!), and being the director of college counseling at the Baldwin School (an elite private school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!)
This book is straightforward, informative, helpful, and has a unique perspective on college admissions that won't be found elsewhere!
While I don't think you will glean much information from this book that you couldn't get through Sara's amazing free resources, this was still a really great insight and further deep-dive into her thoughts and advice on college admissions. The soundbite concept is so unique and I think it is what really separates this book from so many others that deal with a similar topic (A.K.A. the college admissions world/sphere). Plus, the specific examples given in here are incredibly helpful!! And the addition of the worksheets is so amazing. I will definitely be working on those as I go through this whirlwind college admissions process. My only complaint is that it is slightly redundant, and, again, does not provide a TON of information that you can't get from Sara's wealth of free resources.
Sara's writing is so easy to read. If you can, I'd absolutely recommend getting the audiobook as it is narrated by Sara herself. Her voice and personality come through on the page, of course, but they are electrified with the audio version. She is obviously qualified having worked in the admissions office at the University of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League institution and top National University!), being the Dean of Admissions at Franklin & Marshall College (a top National Liberal Arts College!), and being the director of college counseling at the Baldwin School (an elite private school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!)
This book is straightforward, informative, helpful, and has a unique perspective on college admissions that won't be found elsewhere!
May 7, 2021
As a college counselor, I’m so grateful for this book's exercises, Sara's weekly IG lives, and her admissions revolution site! This book empowers students to be authentic with their soundbite and intentional with their activities. It's a must read for any student who wants the insider view on how to stand out!
April 11, 2023
Definitely has a lot of good stuff in here, but best to read while your kid is in 8th or 9th grade, and then maybe review key chapters when it gets closer to application time. Was a little put off in the beginning when the author belabors her credentials, but once you get past that, I found it to provide very good food for thought.
January 19, 2024
I wish I had found this earlier. This isn't about layering on new clothes (identities) to get into the "best" school. It's about a person (student or adult) doing the necessary introspection so they can articulate who they are and have that come through in so many different ways as they complete their application and essays (or resume/interview). Highly recommend!
May 6, 2021
I listened to the audiobook. Sara is such a poised speaker and her advice is top notch! I work in higher education, specifically with engineering students, and I already have a list of new ideas of how I can apply her tips to helping these students secure their future jobs.
May 24, 2022
I read this because I haven’t read a book on college admissions in several years and wanted to present my students with current information for their college essays. The book presents some great information even though it was repetitive.
September 6, 2022
Useful guidance for parents, teachers, counselors, and students as they approach and navigate the college admissions process. The concept of the soundbite can be useful to everyone as a touchstone to guide our decisions, and especially useful to students.
June 28, 2021
Wonderfully Written
Great advice for the college admission process. I especially liked the exercises within the text which I plan to use with my daughter.
Great advice for the college admission process. I especially liked the exercises within the text which I plan to use with my daughter.
September 4, 2021
Interesting book, I enjoyed it!
November 26, 2021
What it takes to get into a college is time, effort, and help. The pressure is outrageous.
Good ideas non-college bound people can consider.
Good ideas non-college bound people can consider.
February 19, 2022
One great idea told many times over
July 4, 2022
3.5/5
January 30, 2023
Some good tips, quick read. While much can be found on authors' website/social media, worksheets and examples in book are helpful!
September 15, 2023
The theme is book is ‘sound bites’ and author conveys the message very well, the impact clarity of thought can help in college admissions process.
I like author share her personal journey.
I like author share her personal journey.
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November 15, 2023Practical and helpful with the college admission process.
November 26, 2024
Personally didn't learn much from this book as I've been in the industry for a while, but it's great if you're a newbie!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews