By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Taking a gap year before a PhD is often framed as a risk. Applicants worry it will look unfocused, indecisive, or like a loss of academic momentum. Others assume it must be justified defensively in applications, or…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you are worried about applying to a PhD without publications, you are not alone. Many strong applicants assume that successful PhD candidates already have journal articles, conference papers, or co-authored work. When they do not, the…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant Yes, it is possible to do a PhD after undergrad. But that does not mean it is usually the right move. Applicants searching “phd after undergrad” are often trying to answer a very specific question: Can I…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant If you are asking “should I do a PhD,” you are not looking for encouragement. You are looking for permission to be honest. Most people asking this question already know that a PhD is long, uncertain, and…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant PhD preparation is not about being impressive.It is about being ready in the ways that actually matter. Most applicants assume that preparing for a PhD means accumulating credentials: more papers, more classes, more certificates, more time. That…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant If you’re asking “is a PhD worth it?”, you’re probably not looking for motivation. You’re looking for clarity. This question usually comes up at a very specific moment: when the idea of a PhD feels intellectually exciting,…

A Former Professor Explains the Real ROI — and the Costly Mistakes People Keep Making Written by Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you’re asking “is a master’s degree worth it in 2026?”, you’re not overthinking — you’re responding to a labor market…

Most people think they understand what it means to “apply for a PhD.” They picture a defined set of requirements, a clear evaluation process, and a predictable relationship between the strength of an application and the final decision. In Canada, that mental model breaks down quickly. There…

If you’re searching for “PhD deadlines in Canada,” you’re asking a reasonable question — but it’s also a deceptively simple one. Unlike the U.S. or the U.K., Canada does not operate on a single, centralized PhD deadline system. There is no national cutoff date, no unified admissions…

If you’re researching UK PhD deadlines, you’ve probably noticed something immediately frustrating: there is no central system. Every university, every department, and every funding body operates on its own clock — and most applicants don’t realize that the real PhD deadlines in the UK are months earlier…

Choosing the right PhD supervisor is the single biggest factor that determines whether you’re admitted to a UK doctoral programme — and whether you thrive once you’re in it. Most UK PhD rejections happen long before committees ever look at your proposal. They happen at the supervisor…

If you’re researching the best cybersecurity master’s programs, you’ve probably noticed something immediately:Every ranking list is different. One site puts Carnegie Mellon at #1. Another pushes Georgia Tech on top. Others prioritize “best online programs,” “best cyber engineering programs,” or “best cyber research centers.” And many universities…

Thinking about applying to an Executive MBA program? Your resume isn’t just paperwork — it’s a strategic document that tells the admissions committee how you’ve led, influenced, and evolved throughout your career. As a former professor and graduate admissions insider who’s helped senior professionals get into programs…

If you’re a senior professional considering an Executive MBA, you’ve likely asked yourself a deceptively simple question:Is it really worth it? The answer depends — not only on the program, but on who you are, where you are in your career, and what outcome you expect. Because…

older woman considering an executive MBA program

If you’ve been asking yourself whether to pursue an Executive MBA or a traditional MBA, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of professionals — from rising managers to senior executives — wrestle with this same question. Both paths can completely reshape your career trajectory. But here’s the…

If you’ve been wondering “should I go to grad school?” — you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of professionals wrestle with this question, weighing the promise of career growth and intellectual fulfillment against the realities of cost, time, and opportunity. The truth is, graduate school can completely…

Every year, thousands of applicants ask the same question:What are the best Master’s in International Relations programs—and which one actually fits my goals? In 2026, that question matters more than ever. The world is in flux—AI governance, climate diplomacy, shifting alliances—and the next generation of global leaders…

Every year, thousands of applicants start their graduate school search with one simple question:Should I apply for a Master’s in International Relations or International Affairs? It sounds like a technicality — but it’s not.These two degrees attract different types of thinkers, lead to distinct careers, and prepare…

Why Georgetown MPP Deserves a Serious Look If you’re curious about the Georgetown MPP acceptance rate and what it takes to get in, you’re not alone. The McCourt School’s MPP program is one of the most sought-after public policy degrees in Washington D.C., combining quantitative rigor with…