FearlessGrads, in their own words.

"When we had to start sending emails out, to set up calls, I think that was the best part of this program. You pushing us to go talk to people. Because once I started talking to professors and students, I got to pitch my idea over and over again, and found out which parts of my story people were drawn to."

"Those conversations with faculty directly informed my research proposals and statement of purpose. It was so fulfilling to cold email some genius and have them speak with you for an hour."

"I'm comfortable making those cold calls, cold emails. But if you don't have the right script prepared, you get shut down pretty quickly."

"I didn't want to apply twice because it's laborious, stressful, and expensive. I wanted to know that I did everything I could to get myself where I wanted to be the first time."

"I'm Excited. I can finally see myself in that space."

"What I used the most was the slack group. Because you see other people, other real people that are in this program that have similar fears and anxieties, some of them asking questions that you would want to ask."

"It's a great blueprint to have. The step by step is really well outlined. These people are really devoting a lot of time and care to every single person."

"I decided to pursue a PhD again after not getting in the first round. Now, after the program, it's very different in that I have achieved a lifelong goal getting into my PhD, and before the program I was in a state of just feeling really scared about the whole thing."

"To be able to just pop it in the Slack and get your feedback was so helpful to avoid spending energy on unnecessary parts."

"Understanding the professors of interest and also contacting them in a way that they would be more likely to read your email and reply to you."

"I had a sense I always wanted to have my PhD, but I didn't really know how. The program really systematized the process for me. I wanted a mentor that had time and resources to answer my questions along the way."

"Contacting the advisor—that concept clicked within the first meeting. She was like, 'How do we make this happen?' I just would never have come up with that on my own."

"I would definitely just recommend doing it. It's nice to have someone to keep you on track. It helps keep the stress levels down. It's definitely worth the investment."

"Every time I talk to family and friends, I always mention the Fearless Grad program. I tell them, yes, I spend this much because honestly, if I didn't have this, I wouldn't have gone this far."

"I tried once without knowing what to improve. Now I have my acceptance—everything is covered. I wouldn't think twice. I wouldn't change it for anything else."

"Do you think I'm even good enough? Like, do you think I even stand a chance? Because I didn't have a lot of confidence in myself. And then you said that we can do it."

"I went from applying to 10 places to 3 and having a better outcome."

"Talking to PIs is something that we all fear. One of the reasons I was not successful the cycle before was because I did not talk to any PIs before I sent an application. Out of all nine schools I applied to, I talked to six PIs before my application was in. Now I see myself as: I am a scholar."

"Sending an important email causes me so much stress. The templates were most helpful. I would recommend 100%. I'm sad saying no to other programs but super excited about where I'm going."

"I was scared. I had heard from everyone that the process was complicated, overwhelming. I didn't want to apply three or four times. Having that framework really allowed me to get the work done at a good pace so I never felt completely overwhelmed."

"Really providing outlines and ways to communicate with professors that have made the process much more seamless than trying to figure it out all on my own."

"It's a stressful time, especially if you're doing a full time job. I was rushing. If people start early, their whole process is going to go so much smoother."

"I went from 9-12 applications to just 4 this cycle—and had better results with a more strategic approach."

"I nearly didn't apply for the PhD I got. I nearly got freaked out about the criteria and the fact that everyone was going to be applying. I really nearly didn't apply. And can you imagine if I hadn't?"

"Having this whole series of what steps should be taken saves a lot of time and gives you a sense of control— because if you're doing it on your own you won't have that control."

"The very first email I sent last summer was to the professor there and he responded to me and had a great email. We ended up chatting once or twice and just developing the research proposal. That was just a great relationship and I ended up applying to it. I was very excited obviously when I got in."

"You're not doing this alone. There are people who have gone through this process before. that guidance, was something I found very helpful."