If you’re considering applying to graduate school, we have got good news and bad news.
The Good News
The job market for people with advanced degrees is solid. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between now and 2032, the U.S. will average 500,000 job openings annually for people with master’s, doctoral, or professional degrees.
The Bad News
The bad news is that getting into graduate school is more competitive than ever. Applications are up while enrollment is down. As of the last survey conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools, graduate programs experienced a 3.9% increase in applications, but enrolled 4.7% fewer new students than the prior year.
What This Means When Applying to Graduate School
With the increase in competition, you’re going to have to plan your graduate school applications strategically, but you don’t have to be perfect. Your GPA doesn’t have to be phenomenal, your research background can be thin, but your application package has to be done with consideration and care. You’re going to have to work hard and work smart to earn your place in graduate school.
Admissions Coaching for Human Beings
Know what the most frequent questions we get from aspiring graduate students are? They’re about getting into graduate school without a perfect record. As admissions coaches, we get this question even from the strongest applicants. Most graduate students do not have a perfect record. Some students have a low GPA, don’t have research experience, failed a class, have been out of school for ages (Dr. Cristie here, I went back to Grad School after 4 years of selling chocolate), or have other blemishes on their records. Those are all important facets of your graduate school application, but they are not the end-all, be-all of getting accepted into graduate school!
It takes strategy and a strong application package in other respects, but no single challenge should prevent a student from applying. That’s what our graduate school admissions coaching does. We are here to help you prepare, craft, and submit a stellar application package. We’ll help you maximize your chances of acceptance and funding, even if you’re not super-human, just a super human.
Admissions Coaching Services
Personal Statements
As a critical component of your graduate school application, writing a compelling personal statement, research statement, or statement of purpose is vital. Our admissions coaches are experts at what to say and how to say it. We know what admissions committees are looking for and will help you craft the perfect essay.
Writing Samples
Do you have to produce a writing sample? Are you worried your academic writing isn’t strong enough? We offer expert writing coaching and document review that will improve your professional writing skills so that you can impress your admissions committee.
Resumes and Curriculum Vitae
We know the skills and aptitudes that admissions committees are looking for when reviewing student resumes, and we can say from experience, many of them are not what you think. Our admissions coaching includes resume review to ensure you are highlighting the most important skills in your application.
Reference Letters
Did you know there is a strategy for getting strong letters of recommendation from faculty and supervisors? Did you know that there are specific things to look for when deciding whom to ask for a letter of recommendation? That’s one of the many things admissions coaching is for: to teach you what you didn’t know you needed to know.
Interviews
Nervous about nailing your graduate school application interviews? From preparation to practice, our admissions coaches are here to help you feel more at ease and understand what admissions committees are looking for in their graduate school candidates.
About Your Admissions Coaches
Graduate Student Success was founded over a decade ago by Academic Success Coach, Dr. Cristie Glasheen. Since then, our services have expanded to meet the needs of current and aspiring graduate students and early career professionals. We offer academic writing and review services, CV/resume review, admissions coaching, and graduate student success coaching for master’s and Ph.D. students.
Coach Alecia
Master’s Degree Admissions Coaching
Ms. Alecia Kipping earned her master’s in social work from NYU and has spent over a decade in public service. She specializes in helping prospective master’s students strategize and craft their graduate school admissions packages for maximum results. She also offers productivity coaching for master’s and PhD students. She is an outspoken supporter of nontoxic productivity and embracing the strengths that come from neurodiversity. In her free time, she is an exceptional artist and the queen of frugal travel. If you ask nicely, she might even share international travel secrets.
Free Consultation
Dr. Cristie
Ph.D./Professional Degree Admissions Coaching
Dr. Glasheen is a graduate student success and academic writing coach. With two graduate degrees and a decade-long career in research before transitioning to coaching. She knows what graduate school admissions committees are looking for in their applicants. Dr. Glasheen started Grad Student Greatness (formerly Step Strong Coaching) in 2014 to help students who were struggling to complete their degrees. She has since recognized the need for better mentorship for first-generation or otherwise undersupported students going through the grad school application process. She also has a potty mouth and loves chatting with prospective students almost as much as she loves giant breed dogs (which is a lot).
Free Consultation
Admissions Coaching Packages
Admissions Strategy Coaching Session
$99
This 50-minute session is designed to help you plan your graduate school application process and identify the key elements for your graduate school application package. This session covers:
‣ Prioritizing programs and application components ‣ Identifying your value proposition, that is, the information you need to convey to the admissions committee to demonstrate that they want you as a student ‣ Clarifying your story, i.e., the theme and elements that make your application package feel cohesive ‣ Making a plan for completing your application
Strategy Session and Application Review
$399
Get your questions answered, develop an application strategy, and execute it with our support all along the way. Includes:
‣ 50-minute Strategy Session ‣ Personal or Research Statement Review* ‣ CV/Resume Review
*Up to 3 single-spaced pages
The Whole Admissions Coaching Shebang
$649
Get start-to-finish support. Includes:
‣ 50-minute strategy session ‣ 2 rounds of personal or research statement review* ‣ 30-minute personal or research statement review meeting ‣ 1 round of CV/resume review ‣ 50-minute interview coaching and practice session
*Up to 3 single-spaced pages
Writing Sample Review
Price Varies
Graduate school admissions requirements for writing samples vary greatly. If your school requires a writing sample, check out our academic document review prices. All admissions coaching clients purchasing one of our packages receive a 10% discount on their document review.
Admissions Coaching Consultation
Free
Are you interested in going to graduate school but have a lot of questions, like how many schools should I apply to, or how do I get people to write strong letters of recommendation for me? This 30-minute, information-only consultation is free. We’ll answer your questions about the process, key steps, and things to watch out for as you start reaching for your dreams. Schedule Today!
What Our Clients are Saying:
K.H., Doctor of Physical Therapy Student
It has been a crazy semester but it is going really well. Just finished 2 of my courses and feel really good about them. I feel like I have been able to use so much from working with you the last year to make this semester go amazing.
H.N., Masters in Public Health
Just want to appreciate the incredible Cristie and how wonderful of a mentor she is. I’d want to be your student and to learn from you over and over again! There’s absolutely no one half as good as you’re. Thank you for being a part of my journey. My heart is SO full now that I’m done with my degree and I reflect on the huge role that you played in making it true. What a gem!
I.M., Ph.D. in Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “It has been useful to look at problems from a different/more helpful perspective. I like that I have been able to work on my thesis sustainably without burning out, considering that I have a full-time job. I usually feel very motivated to work on my thesis after the meeting with Cristie, and having weekly meetings helps me be accountable and drastically reduce my procrastination. I also really appreciate the knowledge sharing of resources and the work smarter, not harder approach (e.g. AI suggestions, Andy Stapleton videos, Focusmate, programs that help with identifying duplicates, etc).”
T.N., PhD. Evolutionary Biology
I’m a doctor!!! Wooo! The presentation went well […]. Thanks so much for all of your help getting to this point! I really appreciate it!
A.S., Ph.D. Epidemiology
I don’t know how other people who are balancing work and family manage to finish their dissertations without a coach, but I am so glad [other client] told me about you. This was the best decision I could’ve made. I’m so thankful.
I PASSED [the oral comprehensive exams]. Thank you so so so so so much! I could not have done this without you! [redacted for privacy] I can’t believe it’s over […] The beginning of the end is finally here! I’m so happy!!!
G.G., Ph.D. Bioinformatics
I just wanted to let you know I successfully defended and will be graduating in a couple weeks!
Thank you again for all your help […]!
S.C., Professional Development Coaching
It’s so very evident how much Dr. Cristie cares about my progress and successes. It gets me through the hard days knowing how much she is genuinely routing for me. She’s gone out of her way to be responsive and supportive and help me get past the blocks I kept running into. She really did help get me unstuck and now I’m staying that way.
M.H., Ph.D. Toxicology
Dr. Glasheen! I passed with barely any revisions requested of me. I am able to submit my dissertation tomorrow morning […]!
Thank you for all your help!
F.N., Ph.D. in Environmental Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “Breaking down tasks that overwhelm me. Navigating many difficult decisions that are crucial towards achieving my PhD. Getting feedback on my work. And tracking the work in progress which is often invisible.”
“I think Dr. Cristie does an amazing job. I have tried the free coaching provided by my institution and I would rather pay Dr. Cristie.”
Alex, Ph.D. Environmental Science
Having Cristie as a coach was one of the best investments I made in graduate school. Period. She was instrumental in helping me pass my comprehensive exam and finish my research proposal, all while giving me the tools to manage two other projects I was juggling at the time. Despite being laser-focused and results-driven in helping me achieve my academic outcomes, Cristie is also very human and reminded me that graduate school is more than just academics and that you have to make time for yourself and for fun stuff.
A.M., PhD Student, Economics
Successfully submitted my online [grant] application! It was an unknown journey for me, but what I now do know is that it was possible greatly thanks to you. So thank you so much!
A.M., Postdoc, Atmospheric Science
Hi Cristie, I just wanted to let you know that I finished my presentation on time… one day ahead of schedule! That’s a first for me. Thank you for your help keeping me on track with our coaching sessions!
A.S., Ph.D. Public Health
Finished! My dissertation was defended on 01-July and I am an official Ph.D.! What an incredible journey. I am so grateful for our interactions and still apply [your] lessons in life.
R.H., Admissions Coaching for Master’s Higher Education Admin
“Hi Dr. Cristie! (…)
I’m happy to report I got into all the programs I applied for!
[Redacted] University: fully funded, plus $24,000 stipend & health care (…)
University of [Redacted]: no scholarship offered, did not apply for GA positions.
[Redacted] University: offered 50% tuition, GA position offered up to 66% tuition. (…)”
*Some content redacted for privacy.
K.G., Ph.D. Public Health
Just got this in my email – [Dissertation] Approved with no restrictions! THANKS, COACH!
