Writing and Defending Your Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal is the crucial last step before you officially become a Ph.D. Candidate. Writing a good proposal and successfully defending it can be very daunting. I can help you determine what topic is appropriate, provide detailed and constructive comments on your proposal, and assist you as you prepare to defend it in front of your advisor(s) and other faculty members.
What's included
We will have a one-hour live session over video to discuss your ideas for your dissertation proposal and plan out what you'll need to do to write it. As you produce drafts, I will offer asynchronous comments and suggestions. Once you're ready to think about the defense, we will talk over a one-hour live session to discuss what you can expect and even role-play your defense to help you feel prepared for whatever your faculty members will throw at you.
- You should walk away from our sessions with an excellent dissertation proposal and a clear understanding of what the defense will be like, along with the skills and confidence you need to ace it.
Meet your expert
Sean H.
Expert advice for every step to your Ph.D.
Welcome! I earned my Ph.D. at Columbia and my B.A. at Stanford, giving me a wealth of knowledge about academia and the Ph.D. journey. I'm eager to use what I've learned through my academic career to help you succeed in yours! Because I received my Ph.D. in 2023, I can offer an up-to-date perspective on what it takes to successfully apply for and earn a doctoral degree at a top university. I can help you answer tough foundational questions, like "Is a Ph.D. right for me?" and "What schools are a good fit for my goals?" I can also offer advice on how to write an effective personal statement and what strategies you can use to craft an application that best represents your strengths and potential. If you're already in a Ph.D. program, I can help you navigate the many difficulties that you encounter. In particular, I'd love to share my perspective on how to get the most from your advisors, how to select a good dissertation topic, and how to write and defend your dissertation proposal. Whatever your goals are, I'll offer honest and direct advice that draws on my education and experiences to help you achieve them!
