Ultimate PhD GuideA strong profile isn't enough. Your PhD application needs a strategy.
I'm Katya Ivshina. I studied math at Princeton, got into Harvard's applied math program and won the NSF GRFP. I'll help you work out where to apply, how to reach advisors and how to write materials that admissions committees remember.
"This has probably been the best investment that I've ever made towards my future, every dollar was worth it."
Research & training at
- Harvard
- Princeton
- MIT
- Apple
- NSF
The guidance I wish I'd had when I applied.
I'm a mathematician, machine learning researcher and educator. I've done research in ML systems and geometry at Harvard, MIT and Apple, and I've contributed to an exoplanet discovery.
When I applied to PhD programs, nobody explained what committees were really weighing. I didn't know how funding worked, how to email a potential advisor, or what separates a memorable statement of purpose from a forgettable one. I figured it out through trial and error, and since then I've coached applicants so they don't have to.
- B.A. in Mathematics with honors, Princeton University
- M.S. in Applied Mathematics, Harvard University
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
- Teach ML to 100K+ followers (30M+ views) and building the ML school Manifold Learning
- Especially experienced with first-gen, field-switching and international STEM applicants
Choose the support you need.
Pick one session, one document review or a full month of mentorship. Pay securely with Stripe in a few clicks.
Strategy Session
A 1-on-1 call focused on whatever you need most: building your admissions strategy, or reviewing your application materials together live.
- 45-minute 1-on-1 video call
- Strategy focus: profile review, program selection & a personalized admissions plan
- or Materials focus: live review of your SOP, CV or outreach emails
- Answers to your biggest question, in depth
- Required first step for the One-Month Package
You choose the focus when you book. Best if you have one big question to work through.
SOP / CV Review
Detailed written feedback on your statement of purpose or CV from someone who has been through the process and knows what committees look for.
- 24-hour turnaround
- Up to 2 rounds of revisions
- Line-level edits & big-picture feedback
- Focus on research narrative & program fit
After checkout, email your document to katya@ultimatephdguide.com.
One-Month Package
Hands-on support for a full month while you build your application. You can extend it if you need more time.
- 2 one-on-one consultations
- Feedback on your SOP, CV & outreach emails
- Chat access to me all month
- Replies within 24 hours
- Can be extended month to month
Enrollment is only open after an initial consultation, so we can make sure it's the right fit.
| What's included | Strategy Session | SOP / CV Review | One-Month Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-on-1 consultation calls Focused on strategy or on reviewing your materials, your choice | 1 × 45 min | — | 2 |
| Personalized admissions strategy | ✓ (if chosen as focus) | — | ✓ |
| Live review of your materials on a call | ✓ (if chosen as focus) | — | ✓ |
| Statement of purpose feedback | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| CV feedback | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advisor outreach email feedback | — | — | ✓ |
| Chat access (24h replies) | — | — | All month |
| Turnaround | — | 24 hours | 24h chat replies |
| Price | $250 | $300 | After consultation |
Not sure where to start? Book the 45-minute strategy session. It's the fastest way to get a clear plan, and it's how every One-Month Package begins.
Book a ConsultationHow the One-Month Package works
A month of hands-on support while you build your application. It starts with a consultation, so we can make sure it's the right fit, and it can be extended if you need more time.
Start with a consultation
We review your background, research experience and goals in a 45-minute strategy session. If ongoing mentorship makes sense for you, you can enroll in the package afterwards.
Build your materials together
Over the month we have two one-on-one consultations, and I give feedback on your statement of purpose, CV and advisor outreach emails so they tell one coherent research story.
Ask me anything, all month
You get chat access to me throughout the month, with replies within 24 hours, so questions get answered as they come up. Need more time? The package can be extended.
The STEM PhD Admissions Guide
An inside look at the PhD admissions process, with tips on choosing programs, securing funding and writing standout materials. Written by a Harvard PhD admit, it's your roadmap to building a competitive application with confidence.
- What committees look for
- Researching programs & funding
- Contacting potential advisors
- Month-by-month timeline
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- Research-focused CV
- GPA & test scores
Built for STEM applicants to U.S. doctoral programs, especially first-generation students, people switching fields and anyone applying without a built-in network.
Where my mentees got in
Real messages from applicants I've worked with, shared on my Instagram stories.
Tap any story to see it full size · Read what mentees say ↓
What mentees say about working with me
"Katya's PhD admissions mentorship program was an excellent experience that provided insider information I couldn't find anywhere else. Thanks to her guidance, I now feel I'm at a next level of preparedness for PhD applications, with a clear advantage in understanding what top programs are really looking for."
"This has probably been the best investment that I've ever made towards my future, every dollar was worth it."
"Every single thing Katya helped me with was extremely helpful! As a first generation person of color, this is the type of advice that I would otherwise spend months trying to dig for. She made me really believe in myself and my abilities!!"
"I loved how realistic it was, and how you pulled from actual experience. You mentioning speaking to members in departments and admissions, as well as others you know was very insightful. Additionally your own experience and advice in applying was very engaging!"
"I loved how interactive this session was, you spent all your time going in depth and answering questions during your presentation and not leaving it all at the end! I enjoyed sharing our own experiences and hearing feedback"
"It was a very well prepared presentation, and I liked that you spoke with honesty and shared your personal insights."
Free resources
The real documents I used to apply to Harvard and the NSF GRFP, plus guides and checklists for every stage of your PhD application.
My own application
Use my CV as a template; treat the other documents as references, not as text to copy word for word.
My CV
You can use my CV as a template.
View →My statement of purpose
The statement of purpose that helped me get into Harvard.
View →My research proposal
My NSF Graduate Research Fellowship research proposal.
View →Reviewer feedback on my NSF application
The reviewers' comments on my winning application.
View →NSF GRFP statement database
A curated collection of personal and research statements from successful applicants.
View →Guides & checklists
How to Stand Out in PhD Admissions
The seven things that make a committee take you seriously
Read the guide →
The U.S. PhD Application Checklist
What your application needs to communicate
Read the guide →
The U.S. PhD Application Timeline
A month-by-month plan from June to January
Read the guide →
Am I Ready to Apply to PhD Programs?
A self-assessment for U.S. PhD applicants
Read the guide →
Do You Need a Master's Before a U.S. PhD?
A decision guide for applicants
Read the guide →
The Research Experience Gap Guide
What "enough research experience" really means
Read the guide →
The PhD Program Fit Checklist
What to evaluate beyond a professor's reputation
Read the guide →
The PhD Statement of Purpose Outline
A clear structure for your research story
Read the guide →
The PhD CV Checklist
Make your research experience impossible to miss
Read the guide →
The Recommendation Letter Prep Sheet
Help recommenders write specific, credible letters
Read the guide →
PhD Email Templates
Emails to advisors, recommenders and current PhD students
Read the guide →
Common questions
Which service should I choose?
If you're early in the process or have one big question, like where to apply or how to frame a field switch, book the Strategy Session. The call can also be used to go through your SOP, CV or outreach emails together live. If you have a draft SOP or CV ready, the SOP/CV Review gets you detailed feedback within 24 hours. If you want ongoing support through the whole application, start with a consultation and we'll talk about the One-Month Package.
How do I join the One-Month Package?
Enrollment is only available after an initial consultation. Book a Strategy Session first. If we both think ongoing mentorship is the right fit, I'll share the package details and next steps. The package can be extended month to month if you need more time.
How does the SOP/CV review work?
Check out through Stripe, then email your document to katya@ultimatephdguide.com. You'll get detailed feedback within 24 hours, and the review includes up to two rounds of revisions on that document.
What fields do you work with?
My background is in mathematics, applied math and machine learning, and I focus on STEM PhD programs in the U.S. That covers all STEM fields: mathematics, applied math, statistics, computer science, data science, physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, earth and environmental sciences, and every branch of engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, biomedical, aerospace and more). If you're not sure your field is a fit, email me before booking.
When should I start preparing?
Ideally 2–3 months before deadlines, which usually fall between December and January for U.S. programs. That leaves time to research programs, contact advisors and revise your materials. Even if your deadlines are close, a strategy session or a fast SOP review can still make a real difference.
Do you help with NSF GRFP and other fellowships?
Yes. I won the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship myself and interviewed for the Hertz Fellowship. Fellowship statements and research proposals can be the focus of a consultation.
Do you guarantee admission?
No one can honestly guarantee admission. What I can promise is clear, honest guidance from someone who has been through the process, so you can submit the strongest application possible.
Ready to build an application that stands out?
Book a 45-minute strategy session. We'll go through your profile, and you'll leave with a clear plan for your PhD applications.
Admissions outcomes vary and depend on each applicant's background, effort, program fit and the decisions of individual admissions committees. Coaching improves your preparation but cannot guarantee acceptance.