PhD Admissions Consultants, Events, & Resources

I'm Abby, an expert PhD coach, specializing in STEM applications and programs including: Engineering, Math, Computer Science, Psychology, Natural Sciences and more. I have had success with over 50 applicants landing at top schools such as: Stanford, Harvard, Berkley, UMD, UCLA, Columbia, and more. I combine this insider knowledge with my extensive experience in both academia and industry to help applicants craft compelling narratives, highlight their strengths, and position themselves strategically for success. Whether you’re refining your statement of purpose, shaping your research direction, or preparing for interviews, I’ll guide you through every step with personalized, results-driven support.

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!

I'm a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania and was admitted to multiple top-10 biomedical Ph.D. programs during my application cycle. I know firsthand what it takes to build a competitive application for highly selective research programs, from developing a compelling research narrative to writing standout statements of purpose and preparing for interviews. Beyond my own admissions experience, I've spent years conducting research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Harvard University giving me a strong understanding of what makes an applicant stand out to faculty and admissions committees. I provide honest, detailed, and actionable feedback tailored to each student's background and goals. Whether you're building your school list, refining your essays, or preparing for interviews, my goal is to help you present the strongest and most authentic version of your application.

With a PhD from Stanford University focused on renewable energy and a postdoctoral research position at Columbia University, I bring a wealth of experience in academia and research to my coaching. Prior to these roles, I earned my MS at Stanford University and BS at Cornell University in environmental engineering. I have successfully mentored students through the PhD application process, research skills, and academic milestones, leveraging my extensive experience studying and working at top universities. If you're looking to navigate the PhD journey with expert guidance, feel free to reach out!

Welcome to my profile! With over 20 years of experience in higher education, I specialize in guiding students through the intricacies of graduate program applications. I help students craft compelling applications that highlight their unique strengths and goals. My background includes roles at Stanford University, where I coordinated programs for current and prospective graduate students and led diversity initiatives, giving me a deep understanding of what top programs look for in candidates. Whether you're just starting your application journey or need targeted advice, I'm here to help you succeed. I’d love to support your journey. Book a session today to see how I can help you reach your goals!

With a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Harvard University, I bring a unique interdisciplinary approach to Ph.D. admissions coaching, blending insights from anthropology, economics, and business. My experience as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard, where I led discussions and contributed to course development, has honed my ability to guide students through complex academic landscapes. As an Admissions Consultant with Admitify and The Ivy Institute, I have successfully mentored numerous students in crafting compelling applications that stand out. Whether you're navigating the intricacies of research proposals or personal statements, I'm here to provide tailored support to help you achieve your academic goals. Let's connect and strategize your path to success!

Having pivoted during medical school to pursue additional training as a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, I had to learn on-the-fly how to prepare and succeed in the world of academia and research. Now, as I complete my PhD training, I strive to bolster the incoming generation of scientists and scholars to help promote diversity and inclusion at every level. Balancing multiple degree programs has taught me to manage my time, energy, and focus in meaningful ways, which I would love to pass on to any prospective students.

I am an AI researcher with a PhD and a postdoc at Weill Cornell Medicine, and I have published 34 peer reviewed papers, 23 of them as first author, at venues including ACL, CVPR, EMNLP and AAAI, with an h index of 17 and over 1,000 citations. Before that I did research at Microsoft Research Asia, ByteDance and Tencent, and I now run my own AI company. That background matters for one specific reason. Most PhD admissions coaching is done by people who are good at writing essays. I am someone who does the work your target programs are actually evaluating you on. When I read your statement of purpose, I am reading it the way a faculty member deciding whether to fund you for five years reads it: is this person asking a real question, do they understand what is already known, and will they still be productive when the first idea fails. Most applicants I meet do not have a credentials problem. They have a positioning problem. They list what they did instead of showing why it mattered and where it leads. That gap is fixable, and it is most of what I work on with clients: choosing programs and advisors that actually fit, turning scattered experience into a coherent research story, building a recommendation letter strategy, and preparing for interviews where you will be asked to defend your own ideas. I work with applicants across AI, computer science and computational fields, and I am comfortable working in English or Mandarin.

Experienced mentor with five years of experience guiding PhD applicants through the bewildering world of essays, CVs, and interviews. Joint degree student admitted to both Stanford History and Stanford Law, as well as a 2020 Knight-Hennessy Scholar. I love to use insights gained from my own experiences to help others.

Welcome to my profile! With a Ph.D. in American Studies/Public Policy from Université Paris Nord and extensive experience in academia and admissions, I am well-equipped to guide you through the Ph.D. application process. As the founder of The Admission Concierge, I specialize in crafting persuasive applications and preparing candidates for interviews, ensuring your unique strengths shine through. My background includes serving as an Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the University of Miami, where I increased enrollment by 12% annually and launched new master's programs. Additionally, my research experience at Harvard Business School has honed my skills in data analysis and report writing. Let's work together to achieve your academic goals—reach out to start your journey today!