By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. The relationship between a PhD student and their supervisor is one of the least explained and most consequential parts of doctoral training. Most students enter a PhD believing that if they work hard, stay polite, and follow…

Choosing a PhD advisor is one of those decisions people tell you is important — but rarely explain why. Most students are told to focus on research fit. Find someone whose work you like. Someone working on topics that interest you. Someone whose papers you’ve read. That…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you’re asking “how hard is it to get a PhD?”, you’re really asking two different questions: How hard is it to get into a PhD program? And how hard is it to finish one? The honest…

Another “We regret to inform you” message has come your way, and now it’s time to reflect on that PhD rejection and what could have been the cause of this unwelcome news. After investing so much effort into your academic journey, this rejection may be disheartening. But…

Yes, an MBA is hard — but not in the way most people expect. The classes themselves are manageable for most students, but the real challenge is juggling academics, nonstop recruiting, and the pressure to network every single day. That mix is what makes the MBA experience…

Pursuing a PhD program can be a life-changing moment for students who are interested in shaping the future of their respective disciplines. However, the journey to earn a PhD is rigorous and demands a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources. It’s also important to have questions…

Dreaming of an MBA degree begins long before the application process. Hours of GMAT prep, essays that you not-so-silently curse Word for, and recommendations that make you feel both pride and gratitude all lead to the pinnacle – submitting those apps. But what happens when you receive…

Congratulations on making it to the waitlist for graduate school! While it’s not the ideal acceptance letter, it’s still a significant accomplishment that you should be proud of. But, what does being waitlisted mean exactly, and what should your waitlist essay include? To put it simply, to…

Graduate school is a formidable venture that requires a tremendous amount of effort and resources, especially financial resources. While scholarships can help ease the burden, they can be competitive and may not cover all costs. However, an effective scholarship negotiation letter can provide a viable avenue to…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you were placed on a PhD waitlist, you are probably asking a very specific question: Is this still a real chance… or is this basically a soft rejection? Most applicants never say that out loud, but…

This may not be the news you were hoping to hear – you didn’t get into any grad school of your dreams. You’re probably feeling a sense of defeat right now, but don’t let it drag you down! Though it may feel like all hope is lost,…