I want this guide to be excellent value to all. It is free if you truly cannot afford it (see below). And if you buy it and are not impressed, email me for a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.
Save money, time, and accelerate your research career confidently with this no-b.s. guide to applying for a U.S. STEM PhD in the 2026-2027 academic year. Having reviewed a bazillion applications and trained scores of PhD students at top programs, I tell you what really matters and how to avoid common and sometimes irreversible mistakes in applying and selecting programs and advisors. I include special considerations for the political issues affecting admissions this cycle.
The goal of this guide is to set you up for long-term success as a researcher, not simply get you into a PhD program. I cover the entire process so you don’t have to piece together admissions advice from countless “experts” who have not been in the room where decisions are made (or seen how they play out).
What readers said:
“As an international student, I had so many uncertainties about how to… navigate the unwritten expectations of US PhD applications. The guide addressed exactly those gaps in a way I could not have found elsewhere.” Admitted to a top PhD program (2026)
“Quite frankly, it feels criminal to have obtained this information for free.” Another reader who received a free copy of the guide
This is the second edition of the guide, revised after suggestions from readers. I cover:
Understand what a PhD actually is. Learn the fundamental goals of the PhD, the diversity of timelines and milestones among programs. Understand the different sources of funding that hugely impact how you spend your time (even if you have “guaranteed funding”).
Decide whether a PhD is right for you: Ask yourself key questions and get an overview of the application process, with tips on preparing if you’re still an undergraduate or years into your career.
Choose where to apply: Run through my checklist to identify your lifestyle requirements, find a research area and groups that excite you, and contact and screen potential advisors. Get a behind-the-scenes look on how your application will be reviewed.
Assemble a standout application: Learn what faculty are looking for, what really matters in the statement of purpose & personal statement, how to select and guide letter writers, and how to approach your CV, standardized tests, & fee waivers.
Nail interviews and campus visits: Get a sneak peek into what you can expect, including the questions you’ll likely be asked (and good and bad answers to them). Learn what information you should gather now vs. after the offer, and find out again what goes on behind the scenes.
Choose the right program and advisor: Learn how to vet people and programs so you can find supportive groups and exclude toxic ones, make a wise decision, and build your network in the process.
Prepare before you start: Set yourself up for a fun first year, discover overlooked PhD-specific ways to save money, and start cultivating the mindset to excel as a researcher.
Download a free preview here (pdf).
Guarantee: If you think I’ve left something out, let me know, and I’ll share my thoughts on it quickly! It’s important to me that you find this guide to be an excellent value.
If you need a free version, please send me an email describing your situation (location, goals, etc.).
Estimated reading time: 1.5-2 h (~27,000 words) — in a digestible, modular format
I want this guide to be excellent value to all. It is free if you truly cannot afford it (see below). And if you buy it and are not impressed, email me for a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.
Save money, time, and accelerate your research career confidently with this no-b.s. guide to applying for a U.S. STEM PhD in the 2026-2027 academic year. Having reviewed a bazillion applications and trained scores of PhD students at top programs, I tell you what really matters and how to avoid common and sometimes irreversible mistakes in applying and selecting programs and advisors. I include special considerations for the political issues affecting admissions this cycle.
The goal of this guide is to set you up for long-term success as a researcher, not simply get you into a PhD program. I cover the entire process so you don’t have to piece together admissions advice from countless “experts” who have not been in the room where decisions are made (or seen how they play out).
What readers said:
“As an international student, I had so many uncertainties about how to… navigate the unwritten expectations of US PhD applications. The guide addressed exactly those gaps in a way I could not have found elsewhere.” Admitted to a top PhD program (2026)
“Quite frankly, it feels criminal to have obtained this information for free.” Another reader who received a free copy of the guide
This is the second edition of the guide, revised after suggestions from readers. I cover:
Understand what a PhD actually is. Learn the fundamental goals of the PhD, the diversity of timelines and milestones among programs. Understand the different sources of funding that hugely impact how you spend your time (even if you have “guaranteed funding”).
Decide whether a PhD is right for you: Ask yourself key questions and get an overview of the application process, with tips on preparing if you’re still an undergraduate or years into your career.
Choose where to apply: Run through my checklist to identify your lifestyle requirements, find a research area and groups that excite you, and contact and screen potential advisors. Get a behind-the-scenes look on how your application will be reviewed.
Assemble a standout application: Learn what faculty are looking for, what really matters in the statement of purpose & personal statement, how to select and guide letter writers, and how to approach your CV, standardized tests, & fee waivers.
Nail interviews and campus visits: Get a sneak peek into what you can expect, including the questions you’ll likely be asked (and good and bad answers to them). Learn what information you should gather now vs. after the offer, and find out again what goes on behind the scenes.
Choose the right program and advisor: Learn how to vet people and programs so you can find supportive groups and exclude toxic ones, make a wise decision, and build your network in the process.
Prepare before you start: Set yourself up for a fun first year, discover overlooked PhD-specific ways to save money, and start cultivating the mindset to excel as a researcher.
Download a free preview here (pdf).
Guarantee: If you think I’ve left something out, let me know, and I’ll share my thoughts on it quickly! It’s important to me that you find this guide to be an excellent value.
If you need a free version, please send me an email describing your situation (location, goals, etc.).
Estimated reading time: 1.5-2 h (~27,000 words) — in a digestible, modular format
