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Before We Get Started

Before Purchasing Services

  • Do your research and finalize the graduate program(s) you wish to apply for.

  • If required for your program, reach out to and obtain approval from the professors who might serve as your potential advisors in your targeted program.

  • Start drafting your Statement of Purpose and CV​.

  • Identify potential referees who you think will be willing and able to write you reference letters.

 
Purchasing Services

  • Select the suite best suited to your needs and budget. You can also select standalone services.

  • You can add any extra services to your cart while purchasing a suite. You can also return to buy more services at a later time.

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How We Will Work Together

After Purchasing Services
Here is a breakdown of how we will work together across three main stages. ​

1

Onboarding Session

Goals & Needs Mapping

I send you onboarding link → you complete mapping → you send me document drafts

*not all suites contain all services

  • ​Welcome Aboard: After your purchase, you will receive a welcome email containing secure link to start the onboarding process. ​
     

  • Onboarding: You will answer questions about your academic background, targeted graduate program, chosen advisors, referees, research interests, your aims, strengths, and weaknesses, etc. This information helps us put your case in context and organize your goals and needs. You must complete this step in written form so that we can refer back to this information as we go along. If your suite includes an audio call, you can also compliment your written answers with this.
     

  • Share Drafts: During or shortly after the onboarding stage you will send me the draft version of your Statement of Purpose and CV in Microsoft Word format.

  • Is it necessary to have any calls at all (audio/phone)? Can I still get all the services I paid for if I skip the included calls?
    Audio/phone calls are always optional, which means you can skip them if you wish to, without compromising on the quality of the services you receive. Most of our tasks will be focused on writing, reflecting, strategic planning, and revising. Everything we need to accomplish is possible through asynchronous communication.
  • Can we have video calls instead of audio/phone calls?
    No. This is part of conflict safeguards which have been designed to protect you as you get ready to join the academic community. Read the Protecting Your Privacy as a Grad Student post to understand more.
  • What is your average turnaround time?
    For reviewing documents, typical turnaround times are 2–3 weeks, although I aim for faster. The extensiveness of edits needed affect the time needed. For multiple rounds, the final stretches of a document is often within days. The sooner you send me your documents, the faster I can get them back to you. While I will make an effort to accommodate your deadlines, this is not a guarantee. It is your responsibility to set aside adequate time for preparing your application well.
  • Can you write, review, or edit my reference letters?
    No, this would be considered unethical. Instead, I will help you to develop a personalized strategy to obtain the best reference letters that you can. While the actual letters should always go directly and confidentially from your referees to the university, you can absolutely request your referees to address specific aspects of your application in their letters. I will help you to develop this request strategically, identifying areas which your referees may consider in your particular case.
  • How will we communicate throughout the process?
    You can always get in touch using the Contact form on this website, on the phone via call or text, or using WhatsApp/WeChat. I tend to minimize email communication because email addresses typically reveal first and last names. Read this article on protecting your privacy here.
  • What do you mean by a "round" of review and editing?
    One "round" of review and editing constitutes one exchange, where you send me a document and I return it to you with suggested revisions. Depending on your suite, a round may include—feedback for content improvement, proofreading for grammar and spelling, and formatting for design and structure—within the same document. If you send me your revised document and I return it to you again with new suggestions, this constitutes another round. You can purchase additional rounds separately if you need more than what your suite includes.
  • Do you offer refunds?
    No. Due to the personalized nature of the services provided, all sales are final once payment has been made. No refunds or cancellations will be issued after purchase, as significant time and effort are dedicated to each client’s application materials. I encourage all potential clients to carefully review the service details and reach out with any questions before making a purchase.
  • Do I have to pay GST/HST?
    You do not have to pay any GST/HST if you are located outside Canada. If you purchasing services from within Canada, you do get charged GST/HST and this charge is not included in the prices displayed. It will be calculated automatically for you during the checkout process. Either way, you pay what you see on the screen. You make a one-time payment and there are no hidden charges.
  • Will I get a receipt?
    Of course. You will get a receipt from the platform you use for making your purchase (e.g., PayPal). You will also get a Welcome email from me shortly after.
  • Do you work with students whose first language in not English?
    Yes! I have a special interest in working with students whose first language is not English. They are often the ones who often get the most value out of my services.
  • Can you help me to apply to an undergraduate program?
    Undergraduate programs typically do not ask for a statement of purpose, curriculum vitae, or reference letters. If you are applying to an undergraduate program which does need one or more of these materials, then of course, I can help you.
  • Can you help with my visa or immigration application? What about IELTS/TOEFL exam preparation?
    These are not services I offer at this time, although I might consider it in the future!
  • I am applying to more than one program/university. How would this work with the suites?
    All suites include guidance for applying to ONE program of study (for e.g., MA in Public Policy at University of Toronto). Support for multiple applications must be purchased separately (see the list of Add-ons and Standalone Services). Here is how to go about it. First, select the suite which best fits the level of support you need for your first program. Then you can purchase add-on support—at the same suite level for a lower cost—for multiple applications. Now you will get what your base suite included once again, but you can use it for another application.
  • Are your services geared towards applicants from any particular country or those wanting to study in any particular country?
    I am happy to work with everyone! However, most of my clients tend to be from countries in Asia, applying to graduate programs in English-speaking countries in the West.
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