The Complete Guide for MS/PhD Applicants

This guide is made freely available through the generous effort of Dr. Babajide Ojo. The goal is to provide a level playing field for all applicants regardless of their background. Here is what you will learn:

  • Understand what professors lookout for in graduate school applicants

  • Learn how to find schools or professors with funding in your field

  • Learn how to write competitive documents like the statement of purpose, CVs, and cold emails to professors at the highest level (with samples)

  • Understand proven tips that may give you an edge in a fiercely competitive cycle of qualified applicants

The Evidence

from successful grad school applicants over the years

Tope A.

PhD Student, Neuroscience and Physiology, Illinois State University, USA

My name is Tope Awe. The contents of this course really helped me a great bunch. It helped demystify and simplify the labyrinth of steps to getting funding for graduate studies in the US. Acting on the advice in this course, I've been able to secure a Ph.D. position in Neuroscience and physiology with a Graduate Assistantship offer that's able to cover the cost of attendance and living at Illinois state. I will recommend this course over and over again.

Joshua O.

PhD Student, E.E. Engineering, University of Nevada

The lecture was very detailed. The examples demystify every concept and idea. I recommend this lecture to everyone who intends to apply for a graduate program abroad.

Pelumi A.

PhD Student, University of Indiana

Yes, this course is simply the best. I became confident of admission to the United States because of the guidelines in this course. Thank you, sir.

Olamide O.

PhD Student, Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics, University of Missouri

I am Olamide Tosin Olaoba, a class 2026 Ph.D. student of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA. Getting full-funded admission into the United States is trying. People who offer seemingly useful advice on how this can be achieved do so with skyrocketed financial implications. However, the initiative of Bestman Academy is astonishing. Here, Dr. Babajide didactically informed pro bono. Further, Dr. Babajide is very calm while gradually taking leaps in all his videos. Again, his countenance is inviting and this enthralled me greatly that I completed the course in one sitting. There were no cliches whatsoever - what a halcyon pablum! Finally, I want to commend the initiative of Bestman Academy for this vital information. Apart from the fact that this series unveiled strategies that previously seem esoteric, it also helped to build courage for tyros and dilettanti. I can recommend this academy to great minds with purpose. Thank you for all you do.

Ifeoluwa O.

PhD Student, Auburn University, Alabama, USA

Woah. Thank you sir for putting up this course. This course opened my eyes to the major errors I had made in sending out my cover mail to prospective advisors and I worked on them as instructed. Thank you, Dr. Ojo

Sanmi A.

PhD Candidate, College of Human Sciences, Oklahoma State University

The information received on this platform through Dr. Ojo was really useful for me in securing admission and funding in the US. I strongly recommend this course for everyone looking out for training opportunities in a great and dynamic learning environment.

Kenneth O.

PhD Student, Biology, Saint Louis University, MO

Joining Bestman Academy’s program led by Dr. Ojo was the turning point in my graduate school application process. In the previous year, I applied to over 14 different scholarship programs but was placed on the reserve list. Through Dr. Ojo’s mentorship, I learned about the USA graduate school application process and the templates, tips, and resources needed to be successful in the process. In addition, he reviewed ALL my application materials and trained me on how to ace both the graduate school admission interview and Visa interview. In the end, I received four fully funded PhD offers in the USA. Honestly, if not for the intervention of Dr. Ojo, I would still be struggling with the process.

Ufuoma A.

PhD Student, Mathematics, Penn State University, PA

1) I was taught how to choose the schools to apply to, and what to look out for in each school 2) I learned how to market myself in an email and how to create a CV 3) I learned how to answer the question why 4) I learned how to write an SOP or Personal Statement 5) I learned about interviews 6) I learned how to check which professor has funding 7) I learned how the schools rank graduate applications

Tunde O.

MS Student, Civil Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA

I had little knowledge of the whole graduate school admission process before joining Dr. Ojo’s program. This is an outstanding guide on how to write a captivating E-mail to professors and then how to write a good and thorough Statement of Purpose. All these were broken down into pieces so we would learn and absolve them quickly. Dr. Ojo practically raised my confidence level and made my application portfolio very competitive despite being an HND degree holder. This experience was the major turning point in my Graduate school journey from an HND in Nigeria to a Master's degree at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa in the USA.

Islamiyat O.

PhD Student, Chemistry, Florida State University

Several aspects of this guide and the constant support Dr. Ojo gave were second to none. I would say it forms an integral part of my success. I am so appreciative. I will never take it for granted.

5-Star Course Reviews

from prospective students

5 star rating

What!!!

Simon Kyei Gyimah

this resource has been fantastic so far. everything is concise yet very very very useful information provided. I wish an identical course will be done fo...

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this resource has been fantastic so far. everything is concise yet very very very useful information provided. I wish an identical course will be done for Schools in Canada

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5 star rating

Beating Competition Review: Tamunotonye Briggs

Tamunotonye Briggs

This is a great course with great revealing content, that makes one stand out in the academic pool of graduate applicants. It gives one an edge and advantage...

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This is a great course with great revealing content, that makes one stand out in the academic pool of graduate applicants. It gives one an edge and advantage when followed correctly. Best of luck guys, nice job by Dr Babajide Oji. Thank you

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5 star rating

Perfect learning guide

Mercy Udeh

I am learning what I have never known. Thank you for the eye opening video.

I am learning what I have never known. Thank you for the eye opening video.

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5 star rating

Very comprehensive

Paschal Ugwu

It's so helpful Sir. Every information needed for funding, unfolded. Thanks so much.

It's so helpful Sir. Every information needed for funding, unfolded. Thanks so much.

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5 star rating

Straightforward teaching.

Olajumoke Ibans

I mean, this is absolutely amazing. I really appreciate this course. It's all I got to know about Grad school admission and funding. Thank you so much, Sir.

I mean, this is absolutely amazing. I really appreciate this course. It's all I got to know about Grad school admission and funding. Thank you so much, Sir.

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5 star rating

Cold Email

ELIZABETH KAGO

Amazing

Amazing

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5 star rating

The best guide

Virgilio Cano

This course is priceless, and it helps you be aware of all you need to do regardless of your background. Well done, Bestman.

This course is priceless, and it helps you be aware of all you need to do regardless of your background. Well done, Bestman.

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3 star rating

An eye opener to schooling abroad

Habeeb Omonayajo

So far,this program has been a guide and given necessary information regarding going for graduate studies and tips to navigate through in getting it done

So far,this program has been a guide and given necessary information regarding going for graduate studies and tips to navigate through in getting it done

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5 star rating

Introduction

Emmanuel Kingsley Ubong

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5 star rating

This information is very important, and so helpful for me

Oluwatobi Adeyemi

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5 star rating

Best Introductory grad school course

ThankGod Alexander

This is the best introductory course of US grad school application I have come across. Thank you Sir for this tutorial.

This is the best introductory course of US grad school application I have come across. Thank you Sir for this tutorial.

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5 star rating

Great package of information

David Audu

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Instructor

Partner at Bestman Academy

Babajide Ojo, MS, PhD

Dr. Babajide Ojo is an alumnus of EKSU (Nigeria), Oklahoma State University (USA), and presently a Postdoc at Stanford University School of Medicine. He intentionally strives to assist diverse students with untapped potentials by revealing tips and opportunities for ascending into STEM-related fields, thereby improving the quality of research and the diversity of discourse in their fields. Dr. Ojo was a graduate student ambassador throughout his training at Oklahoma State University. He received several honors and awards during his PhD, culminating in his selection as the Honorary Commencement Marshall of his graduating class (Fall 2019). Dr. Ojo earned the United States National Interest Waiver (NIW) in 2021 with no request for evidence (RFE) for his plans for translational research in nutrition and digestive diseases. Dr. Ojo is our expert at strategizing for top grad school opportunities in the United States and positioning yourself for the National Interest Waiver.

Course curriculum

MS / PhD in the USA from A-Z

  1. 1

    • Course Outline.pdf

    • Types of Funding: Scholarships vs Assistantships vs Fellowships

    • How the Admission Process Works
  2. 2

    • What you MUST know about answering this question

    • Other Good Responses to the WHY Question
  3. 3

    • How to find Professors with Current Funding in your Field or Area of Research Interest

    • How to Find Funded Professors, PT 2 (other databases)

    • Where to find funding--Other Resources

    • Next: Create a list of funded Professors, schools, and admission requirements (see attached template). Then draft a captivating email
  4. 4

    • Introduction: Why this is needed

    • Tips of an Effective Cover Email

    • Ingredients of an Effective Cover Email

    • Case Study: Format of an Effective Cover Letter

    • Paragraph 1-- A Captivating Introduction: Explanation and Sample

    • Paragraph 2: The Main Sauce of the Email and a Sample

    • Paragraph 3--The Supporting Sauce of the Email and Sample

    • Paragraph 4: Concluding with Style and Example

    • Final Thoughts on Emails

    • Suggestions on Email Subject Lines

    • Follow-up Email Samples: With No reply, Negative reply, and Positive Reply
  5. 5

    • Paragraph 1: How to Start your SoP Like a Pro

    • Paragraph 2: How to Explain Your Educational and Research Background

    • Paragraph 3: How to Explain Your Work Experience and Related Skills

    • Paragraph 4: How to Explain your Interest in a Specific University/Department

    • Paragraph 5: How to Conclude with Style and Leave a Lasting Impression
  6. 6

    • General Expectations

    • Top Interview Questions and Answers from 20 Students

    • Top Questions to Ask the Professor(s) during your Grad School Interview
  7. 7

    • Academia CV: Keeping it Simple!
  8. 8

    • Introduction: What Beating Competition is all about

    • Case Study: The Applicant Who Got Four (4) Offers!

    • Conclusion: What Are Your Options?
  9. 9

    • US Student Visa Interview Prep
  10. 10

    • GRE Materials

    • TOEFL Materials