Services

Thoughtful Mentorship for Aspiring PhD Students and Future Scholars

How We Support Future Scholars

Every student's journey is unique. Our services are designed to help you develop your academic voice, strengthen your application, and prepare for a successful doctoral path.

PhD Admissions Mentorship Program

Designed for students actively preparing for doctoral applications.

This holistic and individualized mentorship program provides faculty-informed guidance throughout the PhD admissions process, including support with research fit, application strategy, academic writing, faculty communication, and interview preparation.

Mentorship includes a combination of:

regularly scheduled one-on-one virtual meetings on Zoom
asynchronous written feedback on application materials
ongoing email support throughout the application cycle

Ideal for students seeking thoughtful, high-touch guidance during the PhD application process.

Mentorship support is individualized based on each student's goals, timeline, and level of support needed. Pricing available upon consultation.

Research & Academic Development Program

Designed for students exploring research careers, preparing for future doctoral study, or seeking greater clarity in their academic direction.

This mentorship-focused service supports students in developing research interests, scholarly confidence, and stronger academic identity beyond the immediate application process.

Areas of support may include:

clarifying research interests and goals
developing academic direction
strengthening research thinking and communication
preparing for doctoral-level study and research

Mentorship may include:

one-on-one Zoom meetings
ongoing academic discussion and guidance
asynchronous feedback and email support

Ideal for undergraduates, research assistants, and students considering future PhD study.

Monthly mentorhip options are offered. Pricing available upon consultation.

Initial Consultation

A one-on-one conversation designed to better understand your academic background, research interests, doctoral goals, and current stage of preparation.

This session provides an opportunity to discuss questions related to PhD study, research direction, program fit, faculty mentorship, or the application process more broadly. It also helps determine whether Growing Scholars may be a good fit for your goals and mentorship needs.

Ideal for students who are:

exploring doctoral study
preparing for future applications
seeking guidance on research direction or academic planning
considering ongoing mentorship support

Consultation includes a 50-minute virtual meeting on Zoom

Consultation Fee: $150 USD or 1050 RMB

Consultation fees may be applied toward ongoing mentorship services, including the PhD Admissions Mentorship Program and the Research & Academic Development Program.

One-Time Consultation

Designed for students seeking focused guidance on a specific aspect of doctoral preparation or the PhD application process.

These individualized sessions may be helpful for:

interview preparation and mock interviews
faculty communication and outreach
research fit and program strategy
statement or writing feedback
academic and research-related questions

Ideal for students who would benefit from targeted support without ongoing mentorship.

Consultation includes a 50-minute virtual meeting on Zoom and may include follow-up feedback or recommendations when appropriate.

Consultation Fee: $250 USD or 1750 RMB

To provide individualized support, Growing Scholars works with a limited number of students each admissions cycle. Consultation and mentorship services are provided in English or Mandarian Chinese.

Frequency Asked Questions

Who do you work with?

Growing Scholars primarily works with students pursuing research-oriented doctoral study, including undergraduate students considering future PhD paths, current applicants, research assistants, and students seeking deeper academic mentorship and scholarly development.

Which academic fields do your support?

Mentorship is best suited for students pursuing doctoral study in psychology, education, developmental science, and related social science fields.

How is the PhD Admissions Mentorship Program structured?

The mentorship program is individualized based on each student’s goals, timeline, and stage of preparation. Support typically includes one-on-one meetings, written feedback on application materials, and ongoing guidance throughout the admissions cycle.

Do you guarantee admissions outcomes?

No. Growing Scholars does not provide admissions guarantees or institutional influence. The purpose of mentorship is to support students’ intellectual growth, academic development, and doctoral preparation through individualized guidance and faculty-informed mentorship.

Do you work with students from your own institution?

To maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid potential conflicts of interest, paid mentorship services are generally offered only to students outside of the founder’s home institution and outside of any current supervisory or evaluative roles.

How early should students begin preparing for PhD study?

Preparation timelines vary, but many students benefit from beginning conversations about research interests, academic direction, and doctoral preparation well before the application cycle begins.

What is the difference between the PhD Admissions Mentorship Program and the Research & Academic Development Program?

The PhD Admissions Mentorship Program is designed for students actively preparing doctoral applications. The Research & Academic Development Program is intended for students seeking longer-term academic mentorship, research direction, and scholarly development beyond the immediate application process.

Is an Initial Consultation required before booking a One-Time Consultation?

No, an Initial Consultation is not required before booking the One-Time Consultation. Students with a clearly defined need (such as interview preparation) may book a One-Time Consultation directly without completing an Initial Consultation first.

However, the Initial Consultation can be helpful for students seeking broader guidance, exploring mentorship options, or determining the most appropriate form of support for their goals and stage of preparation.

When do I pay, and are fees refundable?

All services are prepaid before the consultation or mentorship program begins. Consultation fees are generally non-refundable, as they reserve decidated meeting time and preparation. However, consultations may be rescheduled with advance notice when possible.

Still have questions?

Feel free to reach out through the Contact page or schedule an initial consultation to discuss your goals and mentorship needs.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Let’s discuss your goals and create a personalized plan for your PhD journey.

BOOK A CONSULTATION

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