Academic Consulting

We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence is not an act, it's a habit.

My Approach — Light, strategic growth

Light Academia

A lifestyle that values creativity, intellectual curiosity, and open-mindedness.

Strategic Planning

Defining a vision and allocating resources to achieve specific, long-term goals.

Growth Mindset

Focus on people’s capacity to develop their abilities and talent, rather than outcome.

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!

What is Light Academia?
A Modern Take on the Love of Learning

Light academia, inspired by the aesthetic trend of the same name (as well as dark academia), is a social and cultural approach that values creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a love of learning. It is based by my 10-year experience in academia, i.e. the institutions involved in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, like universities. This approach pursues a more relaxed and casual approach to the academic lifestyle, in contrast to the rigorous and intense atmosphere often associated with science and scholarship.

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.

Services

I offer three categories of services designed to empower early-career scholars in their academic journeys.

strategic advisory

Individual consultations covering academic strategy, career planning, application guidance, publishing, and funding, personalised to your goals and stage.

application prep

A tailored plan designed to accompany you through rigorous application processes, including strategic programme choice and feedback on cover letter and CV.

document review

Expert feedback on any academic or professional document: essays, theses, research proposals, CVs, cover letters, and grant applications.

My Academic Consulting Services

My academic consulting services always begin with a free scoping call (15 min) and a thorough intake consultation (90 min) where we discuss your goals and map out the best roadmap to success. In practice, every engagement combines two things that go hand in hand: 1:1 consulting sessions and document review. Whether you are navigating a specific application, developing your academic career, or looking for strategic guidance more broadly, the work always involves both because no document exists in isolation from the person behind it.

If you come to me for a university application, I will review your materials and work with you in sessions to sharpen your positioning and narrative. If you want feedback on a research proposal or thesis, I will also need to speak with you, because understanding your goals, context, and trajectory is essential to giving feedback that is genuinely useful. If you are looking for general academic strategy, the sessions will naturally produce documents we refine together along the way. This is the basis for a working relationship built around your specific situation and generating visible progress.

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.

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

Academic 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

What is academic consulting and how is it different from tutoring?

Academic consulting is a strategic, advisory service focused on helping you navigate the broader landscape of academic life, such as applications, career decisions, research positioning, writing quality, and long-term goals. It is fundamentally different from tutoring, which focuses on teaching subject matter and improving understanding of specific content. Where a tutor helps you understand a concept or pass an exam, an academic consultant helps you think strategically about where you are going and how to get there. The focus is on decisions, positioning, and execution, not content delivery.

In practice, this means working on things like: which programmes to apply to and how to frame your application, how to structure a compelling personal statement, how to build a research profile that stands out, or how to plan a career transition from academia into policy or the private sector. Academic consulting also involves substantive feedback on written work, not simply correcting grammar but challenging your argument, strengthening your structure, and helping you write with the clarity and precision that competitive institutions expect.

It is best suited for students and researchers who are already capable and motivated, but who want expert guidance to make sharper decisions, avoid common mistakes, and perform at the highest level. If you are serious about your academic goals and want a thinking partner with real insider knowledge, academic consulting is worth considering.

Who is academic consulting for?

Academic consulting is designed for students, researchers, and early-career academics who are navigating high-stakes decisions and want expert guidance rather than generic advice. The most common clients are students applying to competitive Masters or doctoral programmes, particularly at institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Sciences Po, or other leading European universities, who want to maximise their chances of admission with a well-positioned, strategically crafted application.

Beyond admissions, academic consulting is also valuable for doctoral candidates preparing their first journal submissions, postdoctoral researchers developing grant applications or fellowship bids, and early-career academics thinking strategically about their research profile and career trajectory. It is also relevant for professionals returning to academia after a career break, or for people working at the boundary between academia and policy who want to communicate their research more effectively to non-academic audiences.

What all of these clients have in common is that they are capable, motivated, and serious about their goals but they want a partner who has navigated these systems from the inside, understands what institutions are actually looking for, and can give them honest, substantive feedback rather than reassurance. If you are not sure whether academic consulting is right for your specific situation, the free 15-minute scoping call is the best way to find out.

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 academic 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 makes your academic consulting different from other services?

Most academic consulting services are run by former admissions officers or generic coaches with process knowledge but limited subject expertise. My practice is different in two important ways.

First, I bring genuine insider knowledge of the academic world, not only from the admissions process, but also from the intellectual landscape itself. I hold an MPhil from Oxford and a PhD from Leiden, I have published in peer-reviewed journals, taught at university level, spoken at international conferences, and navigated the full arc of an academic career from application to doctoral completion and beyond. When I review your research proposal or help you identify a supervisor, I am doing so as someone who has lived this process, not just observed it.

Second, my consulting is genuinely strategic and substantive. I do not just edit your documents, I challenge your thinking, help you understand what admissions committees are actually looking for, and work with you to build a compelling intellectual identity across all your application materials. The feedback I give is the kind you would get from a trusted mentor at a leading university, not a generic checklist.

I also work with a small number of clients at a time, which means every engagement gets my full attention. If I do not think I can add meaningful value to your specific situation, I will tell you honestly rather than take your money.

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.

How long does the academic consulting process take?

The timeline varies significantly depending on your goals and where you are in your process.

For admissions consulting, the ideal engagement starts three to six months before your application deadlines. This gives us enough time to work on your overall strategy, develop your research proposal if required, refine your personal statement through multiple rounds of feedback, and prepare for any interviews. Rushing this process in the final weeks before a deadline is possible but significantly limits what we can achieve together.

For academic career consulting (e.g. publishing strategy, grant applications, fellowship bids) timelines are more flexible and depend on specific deadlines and goals. Some clients work with me over a single focused month, others maintain an ongoing relationship across a full academic year.

For document review without a consulting package, turnaround time is typically five to seven working days from receipt of the document, depending on length and complexity. Rush turnarounds may be available in some cases, so please discuss this during your scoping call.

The most important thing is to start early. The clients who get the most out of the process are those who give themselves enough time to think, revise, and iterate.

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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