We begin with an overview of the graduate admissions process and its timeline. Then we’ll consider what a competitive application requires, who your target audience is, the appropriate level and style of writing, and what programs are looking for.

Why are you pursuing graduate study, and what makes you a strong candidate? What are your academic interests and long-term goals? A series of four questionnaires will help us get acquainted and develop thoughtful answers to these questions.

Good graduate admissions advice cannot take place in a vacuum. We will consider how graduate study relates to your longer-term goals, the career paths that may follow from your degree, and relevant employment trends. If you are considering a PhD, we will also discuss the realities of the academic job market.

When appropriate, we determine whether a master’s degree or PhD would better serve your academic and career goals. We consider the differences in purpose, structure, time commitment, funding, and likely professional outcomes.

Contact with faculty and program representatives can provide information unavailable from program websites and may be particularly important for PhD applicants. We will discuss whom to contact, what to ask, and how to approach these conversations professionally.

Which programs belong on your list, and how many should you consider? We evaluate programs in relation to your academic interests, preparation, goals, faculty and research opportunities, funding, program structure, and other factors that will shape your graduate experience. The relative importance of these factors will depend on your circumstances and priorities.

We identify the individuals best positioned to write persuasive letters of recommendation and discuss when and how to approach them. Your letter writers should be contacted well in advance and provided with useful context, your application goals, and supporting materials.

We develop a concise and persuasive CV or résumé that presents your academic, research, and professional experience in relation to the programs you are pursuing.

The statement of purpose is one of the most consequential parts of your application. We determine what it needs to communicate, how it should be organized, and how to present your preparation, interests, and goals for the intended audience. At this stage, information gained through prior communication with faculty and program representatives can be especially valuable, allowing you to write with greater specificity about the program and its opportunities. Developing an effective statement generally requires several rounds of revision.

You remain the author of your application. My role is to question, critique, and guide revision so that your preparation, interests, and purpose are presented clearly and convincingly.

When a personal statement is required in addition to a statement of purpose, it gives the admissions committee a broader understanding of your background, experiences, and perspective. We distinguish its purpose from that of the statement of purpose so that the two documents complement rather than repeat one another.

We examine the funding associated with the programs you are considering, including fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, stipends, and relevant external funding. We also consider the conditions attached to an offer and its likely financial implications.

If you receive more than one offer, we compare the programs carefully and determine which one best serves your academic, professional, and personal priorities. This evaluation may include faculty and research opportunities, program structure, funding, location, working environment, and likely career outcomes. We also identify any unanswered questions that should be addressed before you make your decision.