Admissions Consulting

Great applications are not written in one sitting, they are built through reflection, strategy, and iteration.

What is Admissions Consulting?

Admissions consulting is a strategic advisory service that helps you build the strongest possible application to competitive universities and graduate programmes. It goes far beyond proofreading, it helps understanding what institutions are looking for, positioning your intellectual identity convincingly, and presenting your experience, motivations, and goals in a way that stands out.

At the Masters and doctoral level in particular, admissions decisions are rarely about grades alone. Most shortlisted candidates are academically qualified and what separates successful applications is clarity of purpose, the quality of the research proposal, and the ability to articulate a coherent intellectual identity across all application materials.

That is exactly what admissions consulting addresses.

I prioritise prospective students from developing countries, marginalised communities, and low-income backgrounds in my work. If you identify or you think you may identify with this, please do ask about discounted prices and special offers.

My Approach — Strategic, results-driven

Insider Knowledge

I graduated with a MPhil in Politics at Oxford and received PhD offers from both Oxford and Leiden. I know what strong applications look like from the inside.

Strategic Positioning

Admissions consulting is more than editing documents, it is the iterative process of building a coherent academic identity that resonates with the institutions you are targeting.

Proven Results

Over 70% of my clients who apply to Oxford and Cambridge receive an offer, a reflection of both the rigour of the work and the selectivity of who I take on.

Mari M.

MSc student in social sciences, University of Oxford

✅ verified on TrustPilot

Sophie is an uncommonly bright, helpful and positive person. She is empathetic, relating with your struggles and validating you, while also pushing you and advising you on how to do your best.

I contacted Sophie for help with my graduate application to Oxford. Sophie had a quick turnaround and made sure to help even within my time constraint of 2 weeks. She gave a lot of good tips, especially during the intake session, and made me feel supported throughout the application process. She can listen and pick out parts of a story that matter, and craft a personal statement well.

I would absolutely recommend going to Sophie for help with your application and beyond!

My Method

Purpose

Clarifying your long-term purpose and your motivation to excel academically while nurturing personal growth and self-awareness.

Objectives

Defining clear goals, whether that is applying to and joining a prestigious programme, submitting a thesis, or planning your career and live a fulfilling life.

Motivation

With my personalised guidance, you’ll identify and learn to use the elements that motivate you and give you confidence in the process.

Systems

I integrate established educational and psychological systems enhancing motivation, success, and productivity, customising them to your own unique needs.

Evaluation

Continuous assessment and feedback evaluate your progress, ensuring strategies adapt to your evolving needs and maximising your development.

Cécile Lorrillard

MA student in International Governance and Diplomacy, Sciences Po Paris

I got to know Sophie while she was teaching in a minor program that I followed online, during my last year of bachelor’s at Leiden University, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this unpredictable and overwhelming period, I have found her to be an amazing support. Her enthusiasm for learning, her dedication to her students, and her unwavering belief in the power of knowledge have shaped my perspective and outlook on life.

Sophie has inspired me to trust my abilities, take risks, exceed my expectations, and create my own path beyond the classroom. She has shown me that it is possible to create meaningful change in a world that is in need of new ideas and perspectives. Her support has clearly played a major role in helping me reach a place that my twenty-year-old self would have hardly imagined.

I am grateful for her guidance and mentorship.

What do we work on?

Programme and supervisor selection

Choosing the right programmes is itself a strategic decision. I help you build a list that balances ambition, fit, and realistic probability, and identify supervisors whose research aligns with yours in ways that make your application genuinely compelling.

Research proposal development

For research-track Masters and PhD applications, the research proposal is the most critical document. I help you develop a proposal that is intellectually rigorous, well-positioned within the field, and clearly written for an academic audience.

Personal statement review

Your personal statement needs to tell a coherent story connecting your background, your intellectual interests, and your future goals in a way that feels both authentic and strategically constructed. I work with you through multiple drafts until it does exactly that.

CV and academic portfolio

Your CV for a graduate application is not the same as a professional CV. I help you frame your academic achievements, publications, research experience, and extracurricular work in the way that admissions committees expect.

Interview preparation

For programmes with shortlisting interviews, including at Oxford, Cambridge, and Sciences Po, I prepare you with practice sessions, likely questions, and the intellectual confidence to perform at your best.

Application strategy and timeline

Most application mistakes happen before a single word is written. I help you build a realistic, strategic timeline that gives you the best chance across all your applications simultaneously.

Mira R.

MPhil student in social sciences, University of Oxford

✅ verified on TrustPilot

Working with Sophie has been absolutely transformative for my graduate school application process. She has been instrumental at every stage, as she offers insider insight I genuinely would never have thought of on my own. Before starting, I felt nervous and unsure of how to present my story across so many different programs. Now, thanks to her guidance, I feel grounded and confident in the path ahead.

Her support is quick, responsive, and truly invaluable. Sophie brings a perspective that only someone who has attended and worked across so many elite institutions could have, and she shares that knowledge generously. Beyond her expertise, she’s thoughtful, encouraging, and incredibly easy to work with. I’m so grateful for her help and couldn’t recommend her more highly to anyone navigating competitive applications.

How it works

Book your free scoping call (15 min) • The first step is always a free 15-minute call. We get to know each other, I understand your situation, and we identify what kind of support would be most useful. No commitment required.
Intake consultation (90 min) • If we decide to work together, we begin with a thorough intake consultation. This is where we map out your goals, assess your strengths and challenges, and build a clear roadmap for your success.
Ongoing sessions and document review • Depending on your needs, we continue with follow-up consultations, document reviews, or both, working progressively toward your goals with tools and strategies tailored to you.

All prices are exclusive of tax, which is determined by location upon check-out.

Packages

Packages are the most efficient way to work together — they combine strategic sessions with hands-on document support at a better rate than à la carte.

Foundations

For students and researchers who need strategic clarity and a structured plan.

You know you need support but are not sure where to start. This package gives you the space to define your goals, identify what is holding you back, and build a personalised strategy. Whether you need guidance to navigate academic life, plan your next step, or prepare for applications, this package will provide solid foundations on which to build on.

Includes: 1 intake consultation (90 min) + 2 follow-up sessions (60 min each)

Price: 450€

Application Ready

For students preparing competitive university or programme applications.

This package will take you from uncertainty to a polished, compelling application. We work on your strategy together (which programmes, which approach, how to position yourself, how to tell your story) and I provide detailed written feedback on your key documents.

Includes: 1 intake consultation (90 min) + 2 follow-up sessions (60 min each) + written review of 2 documents (e.g. personal statement, written sample, CV)

Price: 700€

Academic Excellence

For ambitious scholars navigating extensive applications or a major academic career transition.

This is a comprehensive multi-month engagement designed for high-stakes goals, for example applying to multiple competitive scholarship programmes, preparing a PhD application, repositioning your research profile, or transitioning between policy and academia. We build and implement a full strategy together, with structured support every step of the way.

Includes: 1 intake consultation (90 min) + 5 follow-up sessions (60 min each) + written review of 2 documents (e.g. personal statement, written sample, CV) + weekly check-in by email + custom digital workspace

Price: 1,050€

À la Carte

Individual sessions and document reviews are available for clients who have already completed an intake consultation and want to continue working together without a full package.

Follow-up Consulting Session — €120 (60 min)
Strategic advisory on any academic topic — application strategy, career planning, research positioning, grant preparation, publishing, or general academic guidance.

CV Review — €70 / page
Detailed written feedback, editorial comments, and concrete suggestions on your résumé or academic CV.

Cover Letter or Personal Statement Review — €70 / 500 words
Written feedback on your cover letter, personal statement, motivation letter, or statement of purpose — from argument structure to tone and clarity.

Academic Paper Review — €60 / 500 words
Substantive feedback on essays, research proposals, reports, policy briefs, research papers, book reviews, or any other academic writing.

Not yet had an intake consultation?
All new clients begin with a free scoping call followed by an intake consultation (€250). This ensures every engagement is properly grounded in your specific goals and context. Book your first call here.

Let's dive in together!

I would love to accompany you on your journey to academic excellence. Together, we’ll define your goals and turn them into a concrete plan of action.

My experience builds on a decade of experience leading complex projects and working with ambitious individuals seeking to make a difference to this world, without sacrificing their health and happiness.

Admissions Consulting • Academic Consulting • Personal Coaching • Communications Consulting

Admissions Consulting Policy

My consulting practice is built on mutual respect, preparation, and genuine commitment. To make the most of our time together, I ask all clients to observe the following guidelines.

Before your session

Rescheduling and cancellations must be requested at least 48 hours in advance by emailing hello@sophiepomme.com. Life happens, I understand, but late notice affects my ability to support other clients. Repeated last-minute cancellations may result in forfeiture of the session.

Come prepared. For consulting sessions, take a few minutes beforehand to reflect on what you want to get out of the session and any specific questions or documents you want to discuss. The more focused you arrive, the more we can accomplish together.

Documents for review should be shared at least 24 hours before a scheduled session where we plan to discuss them, so I can prepare substantive feedback in advance.

During your session

Choose a quiet, private environment. Sessions should be conducted from a calm, professional setting, ideally, not a café, public space, or anywhere with significant background noise may affect our session. Good audio quality is essential for a productive conversation.

Be present. Please close unrelated tabs, silence notifications, and give the session your full attention.

Technology check. Test your internet connection, microphone, and camera before we connect. If you encounter technical issues on your end that significantly shorten the session, we will do our best to reschedule the remaining time.

Cancellations

Full refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before a scheduled session.
No refund for cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance.
No refunds for completed sessions or unused pre-paid packages.
We reserve the right to refuse refunds in cases of policy abuse or fraud.
To request a refund, email hello@sophiepomme.com with your order details.

Questions about any of the above? Reach out at hello@sophiepomme.com, I am happy to clarify anything before we get started!

Maartje Mensik

MLitt student in Peacebuilding and Mediation, University of St. Andrews

While I got to know Sophie in her capacity as my honors class teacher, she has helped me throughout my academic journey, going far beyond the classroom.

Her talent for, and genuine interest in, the topics she teaches is clear from the moment you step into her classroom, and is inescapable and infectious to her students. Having recently been a student herself results in Sophie being an incredibly empathetic and understanding person. Due to her openness to queries from students and her approachableness, she is not just a teacher standing in front of a class, but a mentor, to myself and others.

Sophie’s knowledge of studying and working in academia makes her the perfect person to reach out to for any students wondering what their next steps could be and how to navigate this sometimes daunting world of academia.

Frequent Questions

How early should I start the admissions consulting process?

Ideally three to six months before your deadlines. This gives us time to develop your research proposal properly, refine your personal statement through multiple rounds, and prepare for interviews if shortlisted. Starting earlier is always better: the clients who achieve the best results are those who give themselves room to think and revise.

What documents do you review for admissions applications?

Personal statements, motivation letters, statements of purpose, research proposals, academic CVs, writing samples, and cover letters, … really any document that forms part of a graduate application

How long does document review take?

Typically five to seven working days from receipt, depending on length and complexity. Rush turnarounds may be available in some cases — please mention your deadline during the scoping call.

Do you offer support for scholarship applications?

Yes. Scholarship applications, including Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, and national funding bodies, require a distinct strategy and often a separate set of documents. This can be incorporated into a consulting package or addressed in individual sessions.

My personal experience

My academic expertise builds on a decade of inter-disciplinary studies (social sciences: international relations, political science, security studies, law), consulting, entrepreneurship, and a fascination for cognitive and organisational psychology.

I hold a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) from the University of Oxford, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Leiden University, and have gathered a decade of experience as a consultant in public diplomacy, strategic communication, and global peace and security. I am a strong mental health advocate and have been appointed as Wellbeing, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunities Representative at my faculty. As a social entrepreneur, I work with diverse communities and individuals to develop innovative ideas through creative processes involving arts, music, and games.

I love sharing my passion with others and helping whoever I can along the way to achieve their dreams.

What subjects and fields do you specialise in?

My admissions consulting practice is grounded in the Social Sciences, which is where my own research and academic career are based. I specialise in political science, international relations, European politics, security studies, sociology, public policy, and adjacent fields. This means I bring genuine subject-matter expertise to the work, not only process knowledge about how applications work, but also a deep understanding of the intellectual landscape, the key debates, the leading institutions, and what strong academic work in these fields actually looks like.

For admissions consulting, this is particularly valuable when it comes to research proposal development, where understanding the field is essential to helping you position your work convincingly and identify the right supervisors or programme tracks. For document review, it means my feedback goes beyond surface-level editing. I engage with your argument, challenge your framing, and help you write with the kind of analytical precision and disciplinary literacy that admissions committees and peer reviewers expect.

That said, many of the skills involved in academic consulting — structuring an argument, positioning yourself compellingly, writing clearly under constraints — are transferable across disciplines. I have worked with clients in law, creative writing, biology, history, and communications, and the strategic advisory dimension of the work applies too. If you are unsure whether your field falls within my scope, the free 15-minute scoping call is the best place to discuss it.

How do I know if I need a package or just a single session?

The right format depends on where you are in your process and how much support you need.

A single follow-up consulting session makes sense if you have already completed an intake consultation with me and have a specific question or decision to work through, for example finalising your programme shortlist, preparing for an interview, or reviewing your submission strategy. A single document review makes sense if you have a specific piece of writing that you feel is mostly complete but want expert eyes on before submitting. It is a focused, one-time intervention with a clear deliverable. A package makes more sense when you are at the beginning of a process and need both strategic guidance and document support over time. If you are starting your applications from scratch, navigating a significant career transition, or working on multiple documents across several months, a package gives you the continuity, accountability, and overall value that individual sessions cannot replicate.

If you are genuinely unsure, that is exactly what the free scoping call is for. In 15 minutes I can tell you honestly which option fits your situation and if the answer is that you do not need consulting at all, I will tell you that too.

Academic Writing Handout

Basedf on my experience as Lecturer at Leiden university, I’ve developed this Academic Writing Handout. Yes, it’s 100% free! It contains precious tips and advice gathered over a decade in academia. It is a step-by-step guide on how to write excellent academic papers at university.

What is the difference between admissions consulting and editing my personal statement?

Editing is one small part of admissions consulting and arguably not the most important part. A good editor improves your prose. An admissions consultant challenges your thinking. The most valuable work happens before you write a single word. It involves understanding what a specific programme is actually looking for, identifying how your background and interests connect to that, deciding what story your application needs to tell, and building a strategy that works across all your documents simultaneously. By the time we reach the editing stage, the argument is already strong. The writing simply needs to express it clearly. Many clients come to me with well-written personal statements that are strategically weak, they read beautifully but do not land because the underlying positioning is off. No amount of editing fixes a weak argument. That is what admissions consulting addresses first.

How is applying to a European Masters different from applying in the US?

European Masters applications, particularly at UK and top continental institutions such as Sciences Po, tend to be more document-heavy and less holistic than US graduate admissions. There is typically no GRE, less emphasis on extracurricular activities, and a much stronger focus on your academic writing, your research proposal, and the coherence of your intellectual trajectory.

At Oxford and Cambridge specifically, the research proposal is often the single most important document in the application. It needs to demonstrate not just that you have an interesting question, but that you understand the existing literature, can position your work within it, and have a plausible methodology. This requires genuine subject knowledge, which is why having a consultant with actual academic expertise in your field is particularly valuable at these institutions.

Continental programmes like Sciences Po or Leiden have their own conventions and cultures, which also differ meaningfully from each other. Knowing these differences is part of what makes the difference between a generic application and a targeted one.

How do you help with personal statements?

Personal statement support is one of the most substantive parts of the admissions consulting process and it goes through several distinct phases.

We begin strategically: before you write anything, we work out what story your application needs to tell. What is the thread connecting your background, your intellectual interests, and your future goals? What makes your profile distinctive? What does this specific programme need to see from you?

From there, you write a first draft and I provide detailed written feedback, on argument, structure, emphasis, and positioning. We typically go through two to four rounds of revision, with each draft getting stronger and more precise.

The goal is a personal statement that feels authentic to you but is strategically constructed for its audience, one that an admissions reader can move through quickly and come away with a clear, compelling sense of who you are and why you belong in their programme.

Free Tools for Growth

Discover free apps, books, websites, and YouTube channels to help you on your journey to success in my Growth Toolkit. It is a collection of resources to start or enhance your personal and professional growth journey whilst keeping your wellness in check, boosting confidence and critical thinking, as well as continuously expanding your skills and knowledge.

Do I need a research proposal for a Masters application?

It depends on the programme. Research-track Masters programmes, including most Oxford and Cambridge MPhils, as well as many research Masters at continental European universities, require a research proposal as a central part of the application. Taught Masters programmes typically do not, though some ask for a statement of academic interest that performs a similar function.

When a research proposal is required, it is usually the most important and most difficult document in the application. Many candidates underestimate this. A strong research proposal demonstrates that you have identified a clear, original question, that you understand the existing academic literature, that you can position your work within it convincingly, and that you have thought seriously about methodology and feasibility. This is not something most applicants can do well without guidance, particularly if they are coming directly from an undergraduate degree without significant research experience. It is one of the areas where admissions consulting adds the most value.

Can you help me get into Oxford or other top European universities?

I can give you the best possible chance but no honest consultant can guarantee admission to any specific institution, and you should be sceptical of anyone who claims otherwise.

What I can tell you is that my results speak for themselves. Over 70% of my clients who apply to Oxford and Cambridge receive an offer. That is not a number I take lightly and it reflects not just the quality of the work we do together, but also how selective I am about who I work with in the first place. I only take on clients I genuinely believe I can help, which means the scoping call is as much about fit as it is about need.

What I do is help you build the strongest possible application: a research proposal that is intellectually compelling and well-positioned within the field, a personal statement that presents a coherent academic identity, a CV that highlights the right credentials, and a programme and supervisor selection strategy that maximises both your fit and your chances. I know these institutions from the inside. I studied at Oxford myself, I understand what strong applications look like in the Social Sciences, and I know the difference between an application that gets noticed and one that does not.

Factors outside your application (e.g. the competitiveness of your intake year, supervisor availability, and shifting institutional priorities) are real variables no consultant controls, but you will submit the most compelling version of your application possible and your chances will be meaningfully higher for having worked together.

Do you offer refunds if I am not satisfied?

My cancellation and refund policy is designed to be fair to both parties.

If you cancel a scheduled session at least 48 hours in advance, you will receive a full refund. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before a session are not eligible for a refund, as that time has been reserved exclusively for you and cannot easily be reallocated.

Completed sessions and used document reviews are not refundable, since the work has been done and the expertise delivered. Unused pre-paid packages are also non-refundable, which is why I encourage you to be confident in your commitment before purchasing a package.

That said, I take quality seriously. If you have a genuine concern about the value of what you received, I encourage you to raise it directly with me at hello@sophiepomme.com. I would rather have that conversation and find a fair resolution than leave a client feeling unheard.

I reserve the right to refuse refunds in cases of policy abuse or fraud. To formally request a refund, please email hello@sophiepomme.com with your order details and a brief description of your concern and I will respond within three working days.

Your journey starts here

I offer on-on-one coaching services to individuals who seek to adopt the mindset that will help them achieve their full potential. Interested? Book a free 15-min consultation with me!

Academic Coaching • Goals Setting • Planning • Career Advice • CV feedback • Personal Growth • Productivity

What do I need to prepare before my intake consultation?

The more prepared you arrive, the more we can accomplish together in the 90 minutes intake consultation. That said, you do not need to have everything figured out, that is partly what the intake is for.

Before the session, it helps to think through the following: What are your main academic or professional goals right now? What is your timeline, and are there specific deadlines you are working toward? What do you feel most uncertain or anxious about? Are there specific documents, decisions, or challenges you want to address?

If you are applying to programmes, bring a working list of institutions or programmes you are considering, even if it is rough. If you have existing drafts of any documents (e.g. a CV, personal statement, or research proposal) share them with me at least 24 hours before the session so I can review them in advance and make our time together more productive.

You do not need to have a polished draft or a clear plan. Many clients arrive at the intake consultation feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about the direction, and that is a completely valid starting point. What matters is that you show up ready to engage honestly with where you are and what you want to achieve.

How do I get started?

Getting started is straightforward. The first step is always a free 15-minute scoping call, which you can book directly.

In that call, we discuss your situation, your goals, and what kind of support would be most useful. There is no commitment required, it is simply a chance for us to get to know each other and figure out whether working together makes sense.

If we decide to move forward, we schedule your intake consultation (90 min, €250), which is the foundation of every engagement. From there, depending on your needs and goals, we either continue with a package or work à la carte on individual sessions and document reviews.

A few things to know before booking: I work with a small number of clients at a time, so availability can be limited during peak periods, particularly in autumn when application deadlines are approaching. If you have time-sensitive needs, I recommend reaching out as early as possible.

If you have questions before booking, you are welcome to email me at hello@sophiepomme.com. I read every message personally and aim to respond within three working days.

Hi! I’m Sophie

I was born in Belgium, educated in Europe, and now exploring the world with the objective to better understand how we can make it a better place.

I currently work as a researcher and consultant based in The Hague. I hold a Masters degree (MPhil) from the University of Oxford, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Leiden University, and have a decade of experience in public diplomacy, strategic communication, and global peace and security.

I learned to embrace challenges and keep a positive mindset rooted in life-long learning. There’s always a valuable lesson to take. My coaching philosophy is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and self-care.

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