Natalie’s story to Ivy League PhD

And the Mission Behind FearlessGrad

What Sparked FearlessGrad?

Natalie didn’t start FearlessGrad as a business idea—it was a mission. Her journey from Detroit to Cornell, and from feeling out of place in tech R&D to building her own PhD prep company, came from a place of grit and purpose. She saw the lack of diverse voices in academia and realized she could help fix that.

How a Cold Email Changed Everything

Natalie’s story took a wild turn when a professor she barely remembered emailed her offering a funded master's program. That one email led her down the path to her PhD—and eventually, to FearlessGrad. It’s a reminder that sometimes your biggest breaks come from just showing up and being engaged.

Failing Forward into the PhD

After being rejected by her own advisor when asking to stay for a PhD, Natalie took an entry level job making $40K—after earning a master’s degree. But instead of settling, she used it as motivation to map out the kind of life she did want, and made her way into a top-tier PhD program.

Making Big Life Decisions—With a Partner

PhD life isn't lived in a vacuum. Natalie applied to programs with her then-fiancé's mountain biking dreams in mind. That meant skipping big city schools and prioritizing places with good trails—like Cornell. It might sound ridiculous, but it's a real-life example of designing a future that works for everyone in the picture.

Being a Parent in a PhD Program

Natalie had her first baby during her PhD—and no, it wasn’t part of the plan. But it worked. The flexibility of her program, plus support from her advisor meant she could raise a baby and still finish her PhD in under four years. She even published four papers and did international research. It’s not an “either or” choice, it’s a choice to do what you want and make it happen.

How She Decides What to Invest In

Natalie invests in what buys her back time or accelerates her growth. That means Instacart, childcare, coaching, and business development programs. She doesn’t wait for perfect conditions—she backs herself and keeps moving. Her advice: know where you’re going, and pay to get there faster when it makes sense.

Why Clients Keep Coming to FearlessGrad

A theme? High achievers who want to do big things need support. That’s what FearlessGrad helps with: clarity, confidence, and strategy. The result? PhD offers with funding, even in an uncertain academic landscape.

What’s Next for FearlessGrad?

World domination. Kidding… kind of. Natalie wants FearlessGrad to become the go-to global leader in PhD admissions consulting. That includes expanding impact, building partnerships, and maybe even launching a nonprofit arm. Because real change comes when we help more people gain real power—and a PhD opens that door.

Check out the whole discussion with Dr. Natalie here, or listen to the podcast on Spotify here.

Interested in working with us? Book your consultation call and let’s get to work.