
Laurisa A.
5.0
(15)
Expert First-Gen PhD Coach | Submit Competitive Applications w/ Confidence
1,745 min coached
6 followers
Studied at Michigan State University
Admissions Committee at Michigan State University
Successful clients at
Available Saturday at 6:00 PM UTC
Usually responds within 6 hours
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Laurisa's Coaching Offerings
Write a Powerful Personal Statement
Craft winning personal statements through expert coaching.
Starting at $327.755h+ of coaching
Final Application Review
Ensure your PhD application is polished and submission-ready
Starting at $200.793h+ of coaching
Nail the PhD Interview
Prepare to impress faculty and admissions teams with confidence
Starting at $200.793h+ of coaching
Custom hourly · $69/hr
Get help with Editing, Interviews, and .
Laurisa’s PhD Programs Qualifications
20+ people coached for PhD Programs
Laurisa has helped clients get into these schools:
I’m Laurisa, Ph.D., a first-gen PhD admissions coach with hands-on experience guiding students through the PhD application process. Having successfully navigated graduate school myself and coached students through every stage of application preparation, I know what it takes to stand out in a competitive pool. I specialize in helping applicants leverage their unique strengths, craft compelling statements, build polished CVs, and strategically select programs and faculty. If you want to submit confident, competitive applications that maximize your chances of acceptance, my coaching will give you the structure, clarity, and insider strategies you need to succeed. Working with me means you’re not just submitting applications, you’re presenting a cohesive, standout story that admissions committees can’t ignore. Let’s turn your applications into acceptances and get you into grad school!
Laurisa can help with:
Editing
Interviews
Research
School Selection
Secondary Review
Application Strategy
Essays
Resume
Letters of Recommendation
About Laurisa
Hi, I’m Laurisa, Ph.D., a first-generation graduate who’s been through the PhD application process myself. I know how overwhelming it can feel to craft statements, build a CV, and target the right programs, all while standing out in a competitive pool. I help applicants leverage their unique strengths, tell their story effectively, and submit confident, polished applications. My approach is clear, actionable, and flexible, so you get the guidance you need without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s work together to turn your applications into acceptances and get you into the graduate program you’ve been aiming for!
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know how overwhelming the PhD application process can be. I love helping applicants see their strengths, tell their story, and submit confident, competitive applications. Guiding students through strategy, statements, CVs, and interviews is incredibly rewarding, and I’m passionate about helping them turn their goals into acceptances—no matter their background.
Work Experience
Director of Graduate Student Success
Michigan State University
April 2024 - Present
Admissions Committee
--Teach and lead a first-year PhD professional development course; redesigned curriculum to build research, writing, and career-readiness skills. --Advise first-year PhD students on selecting lab rotations, helping them assess research fit, mentorship style, and long-term career goals. --Serve on graduate admissions committee, reviewing applications and advising on candidate selection. --Create and scale innovative student success initiatives across the college, including professional development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and career exploration programming.

CEO and Founder
A Developing Small Business
2024 - Present
--Fostering collaborations with 10+ universities to pioneer an innovative online tool addressing common graduate recruitment challenges. --Will advance equity, belonging, and inclusion nationally by reducing academic barriers in the admissions pipeline.
Founder and Director of the GRIT Application Feedback Program
Michigan State University
2021 - 2023
Interviewer
--Paired PhD applicants with current students for personalized review of application materials --Designed training and resources to ensure high-quality, constructive feedback on statements of purpose, CVs, and other application materials. Collaborating with university application committee leaders. --Increased accessibility for first-generation and historically excluded applicants by creating structured, supportive pathways into graduate admissions.
Founder of the MSU Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT)
Michigan State University
2020 - 2023
Interviewer
--Established equitable recruitment and retention programming for six Ph.D. departments, securing $30,000+ in annual grant funding. --Led a 10-member team overseeing five impactful programs, achieving participation rates ranging from 10 to 90 individuals. --Played a key role in advancing the MSU strategic plan through active engagement in four influential committees. --Utilized data-driven analysis to measure success and continuously adapt initiatives for optimal short and long-term outcomes.
Education

Michigan State University
PhD, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
2018 - 2023
--Built expertise in graduate-level research, professional development, and student mentorship. --Applied personal experience as a first-gen, LGBTQ student to guide peers through academic milestones and complex processes, building skills directly relevant to admissions coaching. Highlighted Experiences: CGIU Fellow, Peer Mentor, GRIT Founder, Application Feedback Program Founder, Small Business Owner, five publications, nine research presentations.
Eastern Washington University
Bachelor of Science, Biology
2016 - 2018
-First-generation college student experience shaped my perspective on navigating higher education and supporting others through admissions and academic success. -Developed foundational skills in research, critical thinking, and academic writing. Highlighted Experiences: TRIO McNair scholar, NSF S-STEM recipient, one research publication, nine research presentations.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Knowledge
5.0
Value
5.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Supportiveness
5.0
Laurisa has helped clients get into these schools:
Laurisa has helped Leland clients get into Michigan State University