Behind the Scenes of Graduate Admissions: Insights and Advice from Daria Levina

Welcome to this new episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD! In this one, host David Mendes sits down with Daria Levina, Harvard-educated lawyer, academic, author, and founder of Harvard State of Mind. Daria shares her experience navigating international graduate applications, the challenges of securing funding, and how resilience is key to overcoming academic setbacks.

Their conversation dives deep into the technical and psychological hurdles of applying to master’s and PhD programs, offering actionable advice for students worldwide. Daria describes her journey from Moscow State University to Harvard, her experience on admissions committees, and her passion for helping others find clarity and confidence in their own applications.

 

Daria Levina is  a Harvard-educated lawyer, academic, and author, currently working on my third book in the field of cross-border trade and investment dispute resolution.

What we covered in the interview:

• Daria’s Academic Journey: From law studies in Russia to Harvard and beyond; learning languages to access global opportunities.

• Application Strategy: The importance of authenticity, crafting a compelling personal narrative for master’s programs, and developing research proposals for PhDs..

• Common Pitfalls: Why treating the admissions process as a “lottery” hurts your chances, and the dangers of being either too impersonal or too personal in applications.

• Funding Challenges: Daria’s experiences with self-funding, securing grants (including highly competitive ones), and navigating international funding landscapes.

• Resilience & Mindset: Overcoming rejection, depersonalizing failure, and the value of developing perseverance—in academia and beyond.

• Practical Tips: How to balance personal storytelling and professionalism in motivation letters, and why ongoing practice improves application success.

• Finding Support: Building a support network, seeking help proactively, and finding encouragement in unexpected places.

Her final tip? Track the support and encouragement (even small moments!) you receive along the way — it will give you strength when things get tough.

 If you’re navigating your own academic-to-industry leap, Tina’s journey proves that you’re not alone and  that there’s real power in asking for help, exploring new territory, and owning your story.

See the resources section below for Daria Levina’s links!

This episode’s resources:

• Harvard State of Mind | Website

Thank you, Daria Levina!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Daria, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:

Send Daria Levina a thank you message on Linkedin!

Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

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