Real Stories from Successful Grad School Applicants
At The Admit Lab, our graduate admissions success stories reflect the power of personalized strategy and expert guidance. These stories highlight our clients’ success across MBA, PhD, and Master’s programs — from fully funded PhD programs to top MBA and master’s admits at Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and more. Whether our clients come from traditional academic backgrounds or non-traditional career paths, they’ve demonstrated that with the right support, it’s possible to stand out in even the most competitive applicant pools. And they don’t just get in — they enter their programs with the strategy to take ownership of their path from day one. We’ve worked with engineers, teachers, consultants, career changers, and first-generation college graduates — and we’re proud to share how their efforts, paired with our expertise, turned ambitions into outcomes.
Success Stories from Master’s Applicants
Our clients have been admitted to top-ranked master’s programs in public policy, engineering, education, social sciences, and more. These graduate admissions success stories from master’s applicants showcase what’s possible with strategic support and personal guidance. From Harvard Kennedy to Columbia SIPA to Oxford, their success stories speak for themselves.
“Philippe helped turn my career pivot into a clear, convincing pitch, leading to acceptances at my top choices with full scholarships to two of them.”
” Philippe, I hope you’re doing well! I’m excited to share that I was accepted to Oxford. Just wanted to thank you for your time—your guidance was invaluable, and I was able to repurpose the materials we worked on. Cheers!”
“The Master’s Application Service Plus was worth every penny. Dr. Barr guided me through every step of the process, from school selection to essay crafting, to interview prep. I received multiple offers from top programs, which made my final decision so difficult. The support I received was exceptional. I highly recommend him.”
“More than a consultant: a coach, a refined writer, & an insightful friend. There will not be enough characters available in this review to speak highly enough of Philippe Barr and our application journey together. Applying to graduate school is an exercise in introspection and deep soul searching to devise a cohesive narrative that ties your past and future while applying the specific schools’ values to that journey. Philippe was with me every step of the way and helped take what was just a dream and an enormous career pivot and turn it into a clear, convincing, and concise pitch. By the end of our time together, not only did I get acceptances to my top choices, I got full scholarships to two of them. I felt more than prepared and calm cool and collected at my interviews which definitely came across. Lastly, for me It wasn’t about getting accepted to the highest rank school possible, it was about finding the right fit and culture and a school that would be invested in me and my career goals. Philippe is a wealth of information and knowledge which can only be built from working on the inside and having a broad perspective. He also researches copiously all elements of all programs to help you guide you. My only regret is that I can’t take him to graduate school with me!!”
“Philippe is the best: I’m so glad I worked with Philippe on my MPA applications. I was recently accepted into NYU’s program and am still waiting to hear back from Columbia, but I truly couldn’t (or would have wanted) to do it without him. I can’t recommend him enough. He is very thorough and extremely efficient. I saved a lot of time by working with Philippe, rather than trying to traverse the application process alone. If you want to go to a top program, work with Philippe!”
“The strategic guidance I received was truly amazing! Philippe really helped me identify my strengths and showcase them effectively. I was able to get into my first choice program. Thank you!”
“I worked with Philippe on my application to Harvard University and I got accepted in the Master in Public Administration.Philippe was extremely helpful in providing relevant comments on all aspects of the application including statement of purpose, essays, resume. He provided me with proper guidance and valuable feedback in a timely manner. He was punctual, dependable, easy to work with and very friendly. I also appreciated the constructive criticism, valuable advice, and honesty in his approach. It was a wonderful experience working with Philippe, it paid off and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks Philippe for your guidance and professionalism throughout this process. “
“I was struggling to articulate my experiences in my personal statement, but The Admit Lab’s essay editing service was a game-changer! The detailed feedback and strategic advice helped me craft a compelling essay that got me accepted to the University of Chicago’s MPP program. I can’t thank them enough!”
“The interview prep sessions were invaluable. I was nervous about the interview, but the mock interviews gave me the confidence I needed to ace it. I felt completely prepared and was admitted to my dream program at Georgetown! I highly recommend their interview prep services!”
“While working with Philippe he gave me continuous support and advice from the start to the end of the application process. Since I mainly struggled with how to phrase my SOPs and other essays, Philippe’s advice on these essays was extremely helpful in making me receive 5 admission offers. Also, he was always quick to respond to my emails and provide feedback that was prompt and helpful. I feel the process was made much easier and also made me less worried about the outcome since I had the help of Philippe throughout the process to ensure that the essays I wrote reflected a meaning that could enhance my application. “
“Working with Philippe was a fantastic experience; I highly recommend him. I had some doubts about working with an advisor, but he was absolutely worth it. From the beginning, Philippe went above and beyond to research the programs I was applying to and walked me through the entire process. He expertly guided me through writing my statement of purpose and other submissions. He was always very supportive and patient with me, remaining constantly positive and encouraging. There is no way I would have produced the level of application I did without him. Working with him gave me a competitive advantage over other applicants. I would recommend him to anyone who is serious about getting into a top-tier program.”
“Thank you so much for all your help with my essays and with the application process in general. You made the process less stressful. By helping improve my essays you really strengthened my application. I appreciate all the time you took to help me.”
“With Philippe’s continuous support, I received five admission offers, making the process much easier and less stressful.”
In working with Philippe Barr, I found him incredibly professional, knowledgeable about the Ph.D. and graduate school landscape, and provided excellent feedback regarding applications and the overall admissions process. At the beginning of my graduate school search, I was unaware of the intricacies behind the Ph.D. and master’s application process. Working with Philippe enabled me to focus each application on the individual program, thereby being as strategic and thoughtful as possible. In our weekly calls, Philippe often provided insightful details regarding the application process. He would apply his analytical approach when reviewing each program I was interested in, detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and areas to focus on in the application. Overall, Philippe is a genuine pleasure to work with, and I highly encourage anyone else to do the same.
Success Stories from PhD Applicants
Our PhD applicants have earned fully funded offers in fields like economics, education, biology, political science, and more. These PhD graduate admissions success stories show how deep strategy, research alignment, and custom guidance can transform outcomes. Many of our PhD clients also received prestigious fellowships and scholarships, affirming the strength of their applications and the quality of their academic preparation.
“Philippe’s guidance is unparalleled. Despite my academic achievements, it was Philippe’s expertise regarding academic admissions committees that made the difference in admission to my dream PhD program. His exceptional ability to foreground my academic accomplishments substantially contributed to my acceptance at an R1 university, where I was awarded the most prestigious fellowship for incoming doctoral students. Philippe’s coaching goes above and beyond. He marshals his academic acumen and acts as a mentor who genuinely wants to see you succeed. I am forever grateful to him.”
“Philippe’s guidance and insights were vital throughout the entire application process, from crafting a list of schools to the decision process after being accepted. His insider knowledge meant he knew exactly what was important to include in the essays and applications, and he structured the process so that putting together the application was very straightforward. With his invaluable assistance, I was able to get into my dream school for a physics PhD, Harvard, while also getting accepted to other great programs including Princeton and Northwestern. I highly recommend Philippe if you’re looking for help on grad applications.
“Dr. Barr helped me transform my clunky draft of a personal statement into a compelling narrative that truly captured my passion for research. His insights into what faculty committees are looking for were spot-on. I believe his support was crucial in helping me stand out from other applicants at UNC.”
“I was overwhelmed by the PhD application process, but the strategy sessions were a lifesaver. Dr. Barr helped me identify the right programs and professors whose research aligned with my interests. His guidance was the key to getting into my top-choice program and working with my ideal PI at MIT!”
“Philippe’s guidance on my research proposal was invaluable. He helped me refine my methodology and strengthen my argumentation, resulting in a proposal that not only got me accepted into my PhD program at Stanford but also secured a fully funded fellowship. I couldn’t have done it without his input!”
“I was devastated after being rejected from all my PhD programs. I almost gave up, but the rejection review service gave me a new perspective. Philippe identified hidden strengths in my application that I hadn’t even realized were there and provided actionable feedback on where I could improve. With his help, I was admitted to my top choice program the following year. This service is a must for anyone who’s facing rejections!”
“Thanks to Philippe, I have been accepted into five PhD programs, including my top choice — UC Berkeley. I am thrilled!
“Dr. Barr guided me through every aspect of the application, culminating in a five-year guaranteed funding offer from Vanderbilt University.”
“Thanks to Dr. Barr’s mentorship, I was accepted into top-level programs, including UCLA.”
“From the very start, Philippe was very kind, encouraging, and honest. It was amazing how he was able to help me organize my thoughts and written notes into a comprehensible Statement of Purpose. With each week, I saw my paper come alive and turn into a statement I was proud to send to top programs in the Nation. Thanks to Philippe, so far I have been accepted into five PhD programs, to include my top choice — UC Berkeley!! Thank you Philippe!!”
“Philippe was an invaluable resource in my pursuit of an acceptance to grad school. With his guidance, I was admitted into multiple PhD programs! With his guidance, I was admitted into multiple PhD programs! Not only is his knowledge of the admissions process vast, he also spends time and effort seeking out programs tailored to your research interests to ensure an excellent fit. He provides expert feedback on statement of purpose drafts, and pushes you to revise them until they are the best they can be. I was incredibly impressed by his dedication to and investment in my journey. “
“Dr, Barr was a mentor, friend, and confidant throughout the PhD admissions process. Above all, he gave excellent advice on every aspect of the application. He informed me how to develop a statement of purpose that was personalized, relevant, and cogently constructed. He walked me through school selection emphasizing choosing programs that were the best fit for me. We even did a mock interview that more than prepared me for my actual interview. Lastly, he celebrated with me when I accepted my five-year guaranteed funding offer from Vanderbilt University. During an admission cycle that was full of uncertainty, I felt more confident and knowledgeable. All of this, I credit to him.”
“Working with Dr. Barr has offered me knowledge I will take with me far beyond the simple aspects of the graduate application and admission process. Ultimately, thanks to his thorough, honest, and dedicated mentorship, I was not only accepted to various top-level programs in my field (UCLA among them), but I have become a stronger writer and thinker overall. Investing in his guidance has already yielded invaluable return—not only because I made it into my top-choice program, but because I know I will prove a stronger academic thanks to our work together. What I most admire in his approach is his encouraging attitude, but also that his congratulations for a job well done are sincere when he offers them. Anyone who seeks a coach with vast understanding and knowledge of the admissions process and how to navigate it should choose to work with Dr. Barr without hesitation. But know that his mentorship will equip you with tools as a writer and thinker that will serve you long after the application season is finished. I could not have made a better choice than to work with him. Thank you for all the support, Dr. Barr.”
“Dr. Barr is one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. His ability to see what is needed for a Ph.D. application, how to rise above the competition, and make sure you get an acceptance is astonishing. The road to getting into a Ph.D. program nowadays is highly competitive. Everyone is good, otherwise, they would not apply… You have to be really good, one of a kind and that is what Dr. Barr was able to do with my application. It helped me address what was needed, he made sure they saw my potential, and that my future goals aligned with the school that I was applying to. My hard work was all there… He helped me rearrange it and that made all the difference.”
Hope all is well!! Apologies I haven’t been in touch sooner, I’ve been a bit bogged down with both work and grad school interviews/visits. However, I am thrilled to inform you that I have accepted an offer to begin Ph.D. studies in Neuroscience at the University of Washington. I applied to this school through 3 different programs so this school is clearly my top choice. I also got into Neuroscience at UC Berkeley. This has been something I’ve pursued for years and I’ve persisted through over 20 rejections. Nevertheless, this is just the beginning as there is a challenging path ahead! Challenging but exciting!
Now, I finally have a chance to send you a huge thank you for your advisement with writing and with graduate school in general. Your support has played a critical role in increasing my chance at admission and ultimately in this success. I’ve learned a ton about scientific communication and presenting my research interests in an engaging way. The before and after product of my writing quality is striking. Finally, I enjoyed working together because of your positive attitude and clear and focused guidance.
Thank you for everything.”
“When I first started working with Philippe I was at a complete crossroads in my PhD application process. I had sent out many applications that weren’t getting anywhere, and I was frustrated and hopeless. Philippe was an absolute game changer, he helped communicate what was needed in a cogent PhD proposal in terms I could synthesize. Philippe provided constructive interview preparation, answered any question I had, and was always on hand to provide feedback. Philippe made me feel like my goal was attainable, and thanks to him I got into my top choice PhD program. My only regret is that I didn’t start working with him sooner in my process.”
Success Stories from MBA Applicants
Our MBA clients have gained admission to top programs including Wharton, Stanford, INSEAD, LBS, and HBS. These MBA graduate admissions success stories reflect how compelling narratives, leadership positioning, and strong essays lead to real results. Many of these applicants came from competitive industries or career-switcher backgrounds, demonstrating the power of clarity, authenticity, and tailored support in standing out.
“Working with Philippe was the best decision I made during my MBA application journey. He offered unmatched emotional support and deep insight into what admissions committees value. His guidance helped me shape my story, highlight my strengths, and tailor my application to specific schools. Thanks to him, my whole application process was smooth—and I got into a top MBA program!”
“The Admit Lab’s services help with a variety of tools and advice to transform any applicant into someone that can get accepted into top business schools!”
“I knew I was a strong candidate, but I needed an edge. With Dr. Barr’s help, my application package was totally transformed. His dedication and professionalism helped me present the best version of myself and I was successful in getting into my target program. If you need to improve your odds, look no further!”
“Philippe’s timely guidance helped me focus on schools that truly met my criteria, leading to acceptances at my preferred institutions.”
“Phillip is an excellent professional and an even better person. He provided me with not only services and advisory of surprisingly high quality, but also with the right response in times of high anxiety. He became a vital piece of my grad-school adventure. 100% recommended!!
I have just finished a great MBA application journey, and without Philippe, I would not have successfully received the offer from Stanford and Yale, and interviews from more. For many days and nights, I have been stressed trying to formulate my unique story and balancing work and application. It was not an easy one, but Philippe has made it more fruitful and easier than if I were to push through myself.
“I wanted to offer some thoughts on working with Philippe through the whole process. In summary, Philippe helped me with 3/4 of my essays and a quick resume scan. I applied to Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, and MIT Sloan, and was accepted to three, waitlisted at Stanford.
I’d highly recommend Philippe across the board. Stylistically, he was exactly what I was looking for. In email communication and when I had a few follow up questions, he was very kind and personable. But, as I had hoped, his markups of my essays were not “sugar-coated” at all – he provided very direct and honest feedback. For some, this may be uncomfortable, but for me it was exactly what I needed – it helped me trust his comments and really reassess my approach when I needed to. His approach is exactly as mine would be – start with high level themes and then refine specifics/details once the structure feels good. Much more efficient.
Furthermore, in a more nuanced way, Philippe was very low-ego. Often, editors can be very stiff and inflexible – when they give a recommendation they expect it to be taken, and in subsequent versions may have difficulty accepting a rejection of their comment. I never had this problem with Philippe – when I disagreed with his comments, we discussed why, and then moved on to the broader themes of the essay. So, I felt respected as a partner and we always were very efficient. Lastly, turnaround and response time was incredible.”
“His timely manner on helping me select what school was best for me based on my initial selection was great, and allowed me to focus the effort in the schools that really met my criteria as opposed of applying to all the schools I thought would be good for me. His good timing for response, always replied on time with the highest quality comments. Last, always there to help where I needed in a professional way. It was great to work with Philippe and I got accepted to 2 schools of my preference. “
“Dr. Philippe Barr is a miracle worker. He worked with me every step of the way during the application process and he helped me polish up my interview and essay-writing skills. I was able to get accepted into my top two programs under his expert care and guidance. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to get accepted into post-graduate programs.”
“Philippe played a crucial role in my journey to gain admission into Top 20 MBA schools. His expert coaching, unwavering support, and invaluable resources for editing, interview prep, and brainstorming were instrumental in helping me produce my best work. Philippe’s guidance and advocacy motivated me to push myself to excel, and I am immensely grateful for his mentorship. I highly recommend Philippe to anyone aspiring to pursue an MBA, as he was a key player in my success.”
Want to know where these clients ended up?
Top programs our clients got into