Services

Thoughtful Mentorship for Aspiring PhD Students and 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.

Program 01

PhD Admissions Mentorship

Pricing upon consultation
Application plan notebook with Growing Scholars branded materials

Designed for students actively preparing for doctoral applications.

This holistic and individualized mentorship program provides faculty-informed guidance throughout the PhD admissions process.

Areas of Support:

  • Identifying strong program and mentor fit
  • Developing compelling application materials (e.g., personal statements, CV)
  • Securing strong letters of recommendation
  • Communicating effectively with faculty mentors
  • Preparing for PhD interviews
  • Navigating the emotional challenges of the application process
  • Making informed decisions with clarity and confidence

Mentorship includes:

  • Regular 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, personalized guidance during the PhD application process.

Schedule an Initial Consultation to discuss a personalized mentorship plan for you.

Program 02

Research & Academic Development

Pricing upon consultation
Academic office with bookshelf and research notes

Designed for students at earlier stages of their academic journey who are exploring research and academic pathways, considering future doctoral study, or seeking greater clarity in their academic direction.

This program provides personalized mentorship for students before the PhD application process begins, helping students develop the knowledge, experiences, and confidence needed for future academic and research pursuits.

Areas of support:

  • Clarifying research interests and academic goals
  • Developing research thinking and intellectual curiosity
  • Building research experience and academic skills
  • Preparing for doctoral-level study and research

Mentorship includes:

  • Regular one-on-one virtual meetings on Zoom
  • Ongoing academic discussion and guidance
  • Asynchronous feedback and email support

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

Schedule an Initial Consultation to discuss a personalized mentorship plan for you.

Consultation Options

Initial Consultation

45-Minute Discovery Session

A conversation to understand your academic background, research interests, doctoral goals, and current preparation stage.

Schedule a session to discuss a personalized mentorship plan for you. An initial consultation is required prior to enrollment in the PhD Admissions Mentorship Program or the Research & Academic Development Program.

$150 USD  /  ¥ 1,050 RMB

Fee may be applied toward ongoing mentorship programs.

Book Initial Consultation

One-Time Consultation

60-Minute Focused Session

Targeted guidance on a specific aspect of doctoral preparation or the PhD admissions process.

Common consultation topics include:

  • Mock PhD interviews
  • Faculty communication strategy
  • Statement of purpose feedback
  • Research fit and program strategy

Designed for students seeking focused support on a particular question, challenge, or decision point in their doctoral journey.

$250 USD  /  ¥ 1,750 RMB

Book One-Time Consultation

Services are provided in English or Mandarin Chinese. To ensure personalized and in-depth guidance, Growing Scholars works with a limited number of students each admissions cycle.

Frequently 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.

Which academic fields do you 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.

Do you work with students from your own institution?

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?

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 two programs?

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

When do I pay, and are fees refundable?

All services are prepaid. Consultation fees are generally non-refundable but consultations may be rescheduled with advance notice when possible.