The previous post in this series addressed some of the issues an informed PhD applicant should be aware of and consider prior to applying (such as the state of the academic job market). Once you’ve made the decision to apply for a PhD field, how can...

If you face multiple essay questions on an application, how are you going to choose which one(s) you should answer and which one(s) you should skip? What factors should you consider when choosing the best essays for you? Appreciate Your Options! First, options are good! But they...

One of things admissions committee members tell us again and again is that they wish – really, truly wish – that applicants would not try to write what they imagine the adcom wants to hear, and instead would just be themselves. Admissions committee members time...

The job market for PhDs – across all disciplines – is continuing to tighten. That’s one finding of the most recent NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates. According to Inside Higher Ed, the survey found that US universities awarded over 54,000 research doctorates in 2014 – the...

Many applications now have a question, sometimes optional, geared to encouraging people with minority backgrounds or unusual educational or family histories to write about their background. How Are YOU Diverse? First the easy answer: If you are an immigrant to the US, the child of immigrants or...

When one thinks of passion, one doesn’t generally think of investment bankers. But the admissions committees are looking for passion in their applicants; so how are you – a computer guy, an engineer, a biology major, or yes, an investment banker – going to craft...

We are now getting calls from applicants who plan to plan to apply in the summer, fall, and winter to matriculate in 2018. A few have all their ducks lined up – test score in place, school visits planned, a GPA they’re proud of,...

“I don’t understand….. I already have a perfect resume…. I have used it in all of my job searches….. I don’t need to make any changes….. I really don’t need help with this.” This was from Carina, a prospective Master in Environmental Engineering student. I...

I want to invite you to our next webinar, 7 Steps to MBA Acceptance in 2018, which I am presenting twice on March 22 at 10 AM PT and at 5 PM PT so you can attend from anywhere. The MBA application process is...

How much time do you need to study for the GRE? That’s not exactly a simple question. But today, I can help you get to the answer. How Much GRE Prep Time do You Need? Know Yourself. Who are you? It’s a huge question, perhaps best left...