College Conversations: A Discussion With the President of Dickinson College and America's College Counselor
Sara Harberson and John Jones connected for a virtual conversation.
Get the inside scoop with President John E. Jones ’77, P’11, and “America’s College Counselor” Sara Harberson P’28
Join Dickinson College President John E. Jones ’77, P’11, for a virtual conversation with “America’s College Counselor” Sara Harberson, whose daughter Sophie is a sophomore at Dickinson. This is a great opportunity to hear what families really want to know—directly from campus leadership and a nationally recognized expert in college admissions. From the campus culture to career outcomes, the community of Carlisle to timely college advice, viewers will get the inside scoop.
About the Participants
John E. Jones III ’77, P’11
John is the 30th president of Dickinson College and a proud member of the class of 1977. A lifelong advocate for education and civic engagement, he returned to his alma mater after serving nearly two decades as a federal judge, including as chief judge of the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania. He presided over landmark cases such as Kitzmiller v. Dover and the ruling that struck down Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage. John and his wife, Beth, are parents of a Dickinson graduate, deepening his personal connection to the college community. Since becoming president in 2022, he has championed initiatives that expand access and strengthen Dickinson’s liberal-arts mission.
Sara Harberson P’28
Sara, widely known as America’s College Counselor, is a nationally recognized admissions expert and founder of Application Nation. She previously served as associate dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania and became the youngest dean of admissions in the country at Franklin & Marshall College. She is the author of SOUNDBITE: The Admissions Secret that Gets You Into College and Beyond and frequently appears on major media outlets to share insights on college admissions. Her connection to Dickinson is personal—her daughter Sophie is a current sophomore—giving her a unique perspective on what makes the college distinctive.
Sophie Harberson '28 (moderator)
Sophie is a sophomore at Dickinson from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, majoring in English and classical studies. She is an active member of campus life, serving as a museum education intern at the Trout Gallery, on the executive board for the Liberty Cap Society, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and in the Eta Sigma Phi honor society. A graduate of The Hill School, Sophie brings a student’s perspective to the conversation and will kick off the live discussion with President Jones and her mother, college admissions expert Sara Harberson.
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Published November 5, 2025