PhD Admissions

Over the last six years, I have coached hundreds of students at a large R1 institution, guiding them as they prepare for graduate and medical school applications. I work with applicants from personal statement ideation all the way through decision making and I can't wait to do the same with you. Whether you're applying for the first time or reapplying and need a fresh take on your application, I'm confident that my coaching experience will be an asset to you. My approach centers around making meaning of your experiences, helping you to find the connections to your future goals, and translating those in a way that will resonate with the admissions committee. Let's work together to help you achieve your goals!

Welcome to my profile! With over 20 years of experience in higher education, I specialize in guiding students through the intricacies of graduate program applications. I help students craft compelling applications that highlight their unique strengths and goals. My background includes roles at Stanford University, where I coordinated programs for current and prospective graduate students and led diversity initiatives, giving me a deep understanding of what top programs look for in candidates. Whether you're just starting your application journey or need targeted advice, I'm here to help you succeed. I’d love to support your journey. Book a session today to see how I can help you reach your goals!

Welcome to my profile! With a Ph.D. in American Studies/Public Policy from Université Paris Nord and extensive experience in academia and admissions, I am well-equipped to guide you through the Ph.D. application process. As the founder of The Admission Concierge, I specialize in crafting persuasive applications and preparing candidates for interviews, ensuring your unique strengths shine through. My background includes serving as an Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the University of Miami, where I increased enrollment by 12% annually and launched new master's programs. Additionally, my research experience at Harvard Business School has honed my skills in data analysis and report writing. Let's work together to achieve your academic goals—reach out to start your journey today!

Supporting graduate students is my full-time career. As Director of Graduate Student Success at Michigan State University, I work every day at the intersection of admissions and student success across the natural sciences. I partner with faculty on admissions decisions, advise students on program fit, review applications, and build strategic plans that help students not just get in but thrive once they're there. I see the entire arc of a graduate student's journey, from recruitment to graduation. That means when you work with me, you're not getting advice based on memory. You're getting real-time, inside knowledge of what graduate programs are looking for right now. Before stepping into this role, I earned my own PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from MSU, navigating the process as a first-generation student without a roadmap. I then founded GRIT, an equity-focused admissions and recruitment program that I ran across multiple PhD departments, reviewing real applications and training others to do the same. I've sat on admissions committees. I know what a compelling application looks like from the inside. I also know the researcher's path firsthand, from an accidental start washing lab dishes to leading my own project and publishing a first-author paper. When you're trying to articulate your research experience or scholarly identity, I can help you do it with precision and confidence. Schedule a free intro call today!

Welcome to my profile! With a PhD in Social/Personality Psychology from UC Berkeley and extensive experience as a UX Researcher at top companies like Meta and Fidelity Investments, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. I have served on the admissions committee for prospective PhD students and have mentored over 100 undergraduate students, providing me with a deep understanding of the academic journey. My expertise in advanced statistical methods and cross-cultural research equips me to guide you through the complexities of the PhD application process. Whether you need help with crafting a compelling personal statement or navigating the interview process, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Let's connect and make your PhD aspirations a reality!

Harvard Immunology PhD graduate, international student, and former student interviewer; excited to help aspiring scientists navigate graduate school applications and get ready for the next chapter of their academic careers.

With a PhD from Stanford University focused on renewable energy and a postdoctoral research position at Columbia University, I bring a wealth of experience in academia and research to my coaching. Prior to these roles, I earned my MS at Stanford University and BS at Cornell University in environmental engineering. I have successfully mentored students through the PhD application process, research skills, and academic milestones, leveraging my extensive experience studying and working at top universities. If you're looking to navigate the PhD journey with expert guidance, feel free to reach out!

I have coached dozens of students at Stanford University's Center for Teaching and Learning, helping them work through academic challenges and build more effective ways of working. Having recently completed my own PhD, I understand firsthand the pressures of graduate school and the difficulty of navigating research when the path forward is not always clear. My approach is highly individualized. I help clients clarify the problem they are actually trying to solve, make sense of the evidence in front of them, and develop systems that can serve them beyond a single challenge. My research background also allows me to support clients with research strategy, analytical thinking, and data analysis when those are part of the problem. I can also work with prospective graduate students on applications, drawing on my own experience successfully navigating admissions at highly selective universities including Stanford and Cambridge. Whether someone is trying to get into graduate school, make progress once they are there, or work through a difficult research problem, my goal is to help them leave with a clearer path forward and a stronger ability to solve similar problems independently in the future.

I help prospective CS/AI PhD applicants build stronger, more research-focused applications for U.S. programs. I can help you identify the right schools and advisors, evaluate your current profile, position your research experience effectively, strengthen your SOP and CV, and prepare for faculty interviews. I also help applicants diagnose common weaknesses such as unclear research direction, weak advisor fit, or an application that lists accomplishments without telling a convincing research story. I bring experience from both sides of the process: I earned my PhD in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University, and I have participated in student admissions and helped faculty review and interview prospective PhD students. My goal is to help you understand how your application is likely to be read by researchers, and turn your background into a clear, credible case for your research potential and fit.

Kimberly employs a tailored one-on-one approach, drawing on more than ten years of project management, leadership, STEM outreach, and mentorship experience in academia, government, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship. Here are a few words from her clients: "Once I started PhD coaching with Dr. Duong, she immediately helped me make adjustments to create the optimal plan." "PhD coaching is great because it’s really targeted for PhD students who feel stuck in their programs." "Dr. Duong never downplayed my personal responsibilities in order to push me towards my professional commitment." "Dr. Duong’s insight and coaching has completely changed the way I look at procrastination, which has been hugely helpful in making progress."