PhD Admissions Consultants, Events, & Resources

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!

Welcome to my profile! I hold a PhD from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University. With my extensive academic background, I have a deep understanding of the challenges and intricacies of the PhD admissions process, which can be confusing and difficult. Together, I help you with school selection, hone your story and research ideas, and sell yourself so that you can feel confident submitting applications! As a coach, I have successfully guided over 5 clients in their journey towards securing admission to top PhD programs in their fields. My experience as a Communications Manager at Compass Family Services has honed my ability to effectively communicate and support individuals in achieving their goals. If you're looking for personalized guidance and expertise to navigate the PhD application process, I'm here to help. Let's connect and work together to make your dreams a reality!

I’m a strong PhD programs coach because I understand firsthand what it takes to stand out in the most competitive academic applicant pools. I graduated summa cum laude from Penn with an interdisciplinary dual-degree background across the College and Wharton, and I’m now pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School. I was admitted to 15+ PhD programs and 20+ undergraduate programs across HYPSM, the Ivy League, and other elite top-10 and top-20 U.S. institutions, giving me direct experience navigating admissions at the highest level. My background also includes rigorous research in computational biology, genomics, and AI, published scholarship, national presentations, and years of mentoring through teaching and advising. I help clients turn strong but often complicated backgrounds into clear, compelling applications that are intellectually serious, authentic, and memorable.

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!

I’m Laurisa, a 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!

Over the last six years, I have coached hundreds of students at a large R1 institution, guiding them as they prepare for graduate and medical school applications. I work with applicants from personal statement ideation all the way through decision making and I can't wait to do the same with you. Whether you're applying for the first time or reapplying and need a fresh take on your application, I'm confident that my coaching experience will be an asset to you. My approach centers around making meaning of your experiences, helping you to find the connections to your future goals, and translating those in a way that will resonate with the admissions committee. Let's work together to help you achieve your goals!

I'm one of the very few STEM-focused college and graduate school admission counselors with a bona fide STEM PhD and career of my own. Because I've accomplished what my students are seeking, my students tend to respect and listen to my advice. I understand STEM students far better than any generic coach. I know the application and application review process inside-out and I'm an award-winning writer who makes my students' personal and statement of purpose essays shine with authentic, attention-grabbing narratives. My additional "unfair advantage" is my massive network of STEM professionals, including professors, hiring managers, scientists and engineers of all stripes. I have over 900 first-degree connections in LinkedIn. Most are people I've actually worked with. I frequently leverage my network to enhance my coaching. I make introductions for students and get my colleagues' perspectives and opinions about what makes the most sense for my students in their specific circumstances.

Welcome to my profile! With a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania, I am well-equipped to guide you through the PhD journey, starting with crafting winning personal statements for admissions, designing strong research proposals, applying to fellowships and internships, and preparing a successful dissertation. My experiences at Penn have given me insider knowledge of PhD programs from end to end. I sat on student admission committees, led recruitment and interview weekends, and effected changes in university policy by working with administrators on the Dean's Doctoral Advisory Board member and serving as the President of the Graduate Association of Bioengineers. I also have extensive experience advising individuals who face significant challenges and setbacks in their program, including changing labs and handling difficult advisors or committees. Through my current role as a Principal Scientist at BrainSpec Inc and a Postdoctoral Researcher at Harvard Medical School, I bring interdisciplinary research perspectives in computational neuroscience and medical devices to my coaching as well as practical experience with navigating post-PhD careers in academia and industry. I've mentored 20+ aspiring and current PhD candidates. Let's work together to make your PhD aspirations a reality and support your journey to a successful defense!

I have a PhD from MIT in AI/ML and am currently a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at Mila - Quebec AI Institute and Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard. I have won over $400,000 in fellowships and helped over 50 students get admitted into top universities (MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Caltech) while obtaining prestigious fellowships (Rhodes, Knight-Hennessy, etc.).

Welcome to my profile! As a Gates Cambridge Scholar pursuing an MPhil in Medical Science (Oncology) at the University of Cambridge, I bring a wealth of research experience and academic excellence to my coaching. My journey through prestigious institutions like Notre Dame University, where I majored in Honors Biochemistry and minored in Data Science, has equipped me with a deep understanding of the PhD application process. I've conducted cutting-edge research at renowned organizations such as Pfizer and Mayo Clinic, and have a strong track record in mentoring and tutoring students in complex scientific subjects. Since I applied to PhD programs in the US and internationally last cycle, I understand how to best navigate the difficult challenges being posed to applicants in the current state of the field. Whether you're looking to refine your research proposal or navigate the intricacies of the PhD admissions process, I'm here to help you succeed. Let's connect and chart a path to your academic goals!