Comprehensive PhD Application Package — Land Your Dream Program

Comprehensive PhD Application Package — Land Your Dream Program

Offered by Laurisa A.

5.0

()

You Belong in Graduate School. Let's Build the Application that Proves It.

Michigan State University Logo

Studied at Michigan State University

Michigan State University Logo

Admissions Committee at Michigan State University

Description

This package is meticulously designed for aspiring PhD candidates seeking to enhance their likelihood of acceptance by enlisting the expertise of a seasoned coach to guide them through the intricate application process from start to finish. Here's a comprehensive overview of what this package entails: - Personalized Coach Matching: Upon enrollment, you'll complete a detailed matching survey to facilitate the selection of the perfect coach tailored to your target PhD programs and individual objectives. - Initial Kickoff and Planning Session: Following the coach pairing, embark on an extensive kickoff session delving into your background, goals, research interests, potential recommenders, aspirations, and more. Together, you'll develop a customized plan specifically tailored to your PhD program application journey. - Program Selection: Collaborate closely with your coach to compile a list of optimal PhD programs aligned with your profile, research interests, and aspirations. - Application Strategy: Engage in in-depth discussions with your coach to identify your unique strengths as an applicant and strategize on effectively showcasing them throughout your PhD program application. - Research Proposal Brainstorming, Advising & Editing: Receive expert guidance and feedback from your coach throughout the research proposal crafting process, ensuring your narrative effectively highlights your research goals, methodology, and significance. - Personal Statement Brainstorming, Advising & Editing: Work closely with your coach to draft a compelling personal statement that reflects your motivations, experiences, and aspirations. - Activity Descriptions: Collaborate with your coach to select and articulate extracurricular activities, research experiences, publications, and awards in a compelling manner, enhancing the overall strength of your application. - Letters of Recommendation: Strategize with your coach on selecting and engaging potential recommenders, crafting polished recommendation requests, and ensuring the submission of strong and supportive letters. - Complete Application Review: Your coach will conduct a meticulous review and final edit of all application materials, including research proposals, personal statements, essays, activity descriptions, and letters of recommendation, ensuring a cohesive and compelling application package. - Supplemental Essays Advising & Editing: Benefit from personalized advising and editing support from your coach to refine your supplemental essays, ensuring they align seamlessly with each program's specific requirements and ethos. - Interview Coaching: Prepare thoroughly for PhD program interviews through mock interview sessions conducted by your coach, equipping you with the confidence and skills necessary to excel (one mock interview per program). - Supplemental Support Strategy: Develop a strategic plan for networking and securing supplemental letters of support to bolster your application, where applicable. - Final Review: Your coach will conduct a comprehensive review and provide final edits on all application materials to ensure they are polished and aligned with your overall narrative and objectives. - Waitlist Strategy (if applicable): Receive guidance and support from your coach in developing a targeted action plan to enhance your chances of admission if placed on a waitlist. To summarize, you are drafting a world-class coach onto your team to help you with every step of this competitive process. They will check in regularly, share honest/constructive feedback freely, and ensure you are on the right track. If for any reason it becomes clear that your coach is not the right fit, we are happy to help you find another coach that can help you get to the finish line successfully. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get you matched with a great coach who can support you as you embark on your journey to secure acceptance to a top PhD program.


What you'll get from this package

A clear application timeline and plan, to ensure you stay on track and hit PhD program application deadlines

Compelling research proposal that is differentiated, personalized, and thoughtful

Expertly articulated extracurriculars, research experiences, and publications in the Experiences section of your PhD program application

Strong recommender prep documents that you'll pass off to your recommenders to ensure they write world-class recommendations for you

A polished final application that you can feel proud of submitting and sharing with the admissions team

Confidence to ace admissions interviews through mock interviews and additional role plays for difficult-to-answer questions

Unique and interesting supplemental essays — tailored to each program you decide to apply to


Additional details

Coaching delivered via live sessions and .

Refund Policy

You are eligible to switch your coach any time during the first two weeks to ensure you have found the right fit for you. Comprehensive package services are limited to the schools and application round selected at the beginning of the engagement. Additional expectations or terms of engagement may be provided by coaches (e.g. expected response times, etc.).

Services included:

Interviews

Research

School Selection

Secondary Review

Application Strategy

Dissertation Proposal

Essays

Resume

Letters of Recommendation

Data Collection

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Defense Preparation

Editing

Data Analysis


More packages from Laurisa

Custom hourly · $129/hr

Get help with Interviews, Research, and .


Laurisa A.

Offered by Laurisa A.

Joined September 2025

5.0

You Belong in Graduate School. Let's Build the Application that Proves It.

Supporting graduate students is my full-time career. As Director of Graduate Student Success at Michigan State University, I work every day at the intersection of admissions and student success across the natural sciences. I partner with faculty on admissions decisions, advise students on program fit, review applications, and build strategic plans that help students not just get in but thrive once they're there. I see the entire arc of a graduate student's journey, from recruitment to graduation. That means when you work with me, you're not getting advice based on memory. You're getting real-time, inside knowledge of what graduate programs are looking for right now. Before stepping into this role, I earned my own PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from MSU, navigating the process as a first-generation student without a roadmap. I then founded GRIT, an equity-focused admissions and recruitment program that I ran across multiple PhD departments, reviewing real applications and training others to do the same. I've sat on admissions committees. I know what a compelling application looks like from the inside. I also know the researcher's path firsthand, from an accidental start washing lab dishes to leading my own project and publishing a first-author paper. When you're trying to articulate your research experience or scholarly identity, I can help you do it with precision and confidence. Schedule a free intro call today! -------- Summer Head Start: 20% off through July Right now, I'm offering 20% off all sessions booked through July 31st for applicants who are ready to get ahead of the process and start shaping your story before the pressure hits. Schedule an intro session to receive a discount this summer.

10+ people coached for PhD Programs

Starting at $8,000

20h+ of coaching

Sign in
Reviews
Become an expert
For universities
For teams
    Comprehensive PhD Application Package — Land Your Dream Program by Laurisa A. | Leland