Is Grad School For Me?: Demystifying the Application Process for First-Gen BIPOC Students is out! Order today and ask me about my free discussion guide. 

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welcome to grad school femtoring

Sustainable Success for First-Gen BIPOC Students and Professionals

Grad School Femtoring, LLC (GSF) is a coaching and consulting company founded by Doctora* Yvette Martinez-Vu that supports first-generation Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in building sustainable systems and gaining strategic support to pursue their academic and personal goals through a compassionate and social justice informed lens.

*Please feel free to address me as Dra. Yvette (short for “Doctora,” Spanish for doctor), Doctor Yvette, or Yvette. I welcome any of these greetings. 

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meet your Coach, consultant, & femtor

Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu

GSF began as a podcast and was founded by Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu after she identified a critical need for demystifying higher education and helping first-generation BIPOC students and professionals build practical, sustainable, and strategic systems to better navigate academic and professional spaces.

Today, GSF offers coaching and consulting, talks and workshops, and a weekly podcast to support undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals through structured guidance, strategy, and sustainable productivity practices.

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services

Interested in Working With GSF?

We support first-generation BIPOC students and professionals through two core areas of work: graduate admissions and sustainable productivity. 

Across coaching, consulting, workshops, retreats, and digital resources, our services address the structural and personal challenges first-gen BIPOCs face. We support clients with values exploration, strengths and capacity assessments, time and energy management, application essay development, and self- and community-care practices that prevent burnout.

By equipping first-gen BIPOCs with insider knowledge and personalized systems, we help them navigate graduate school, approach high-stakes transitions with confidence, and build sustainable academic and professional success.

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for institutions

For colleges, universities, and mission-driven organizations seeking programming to support graduate preparation, sustainable productivity, executive functioning, and career development through workshops, keynotes, retreats, and licensed resources.

Inquire Today
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for individuals

For first-generation students and professionals seeking personalized, non-judgmental support with graduate admissions, long-term projects, and sustainable goal-setting via coaching, consulting, and group retreats. 

Explore Support

grab your earbuds

The Grad School Femtoring Podcast

The Signal Award-winning GSF Podcast provides first-generation BIPOC listeners with inclusive grad school stories, personal development, and productivity tips to help you reach your grads school and professional goals without sacrificing your wellbeing!

"I am in my last year of my PhD program, and have felt crippling anxiety since day 1. Listening to a few episodes has helped me feel less alone and empowered... hearing the voices of the incredible women she has talked with has helped reignite the dreams I had during the beginning of the program....Dra. Yvette, I hope you know that you uplift so many people."
Future Dra. Lucas
“A MUST Listen to for 1st Gen/URM/BIPOC folx! Dra. Martinez-Vu provides such insightful advice on beginning your search for graduate programs and then navigating the application process! After each episode I feel like I received an encouraging pep talk. I look forward to continue listening to her great advice and I have shared her podcast with many friends interested in grad school or who work with undergrad students!”
Jeffrey Merino
"As a first-gen femme student of color, I am grateful for Dra. Martínez-Vu’s invaluable advice about grad school and also professional development tips. Dra. Martínez-Vu brings a unique, inclusive and much-needed real-life perspective on grad school. This podcast has really helped to demystify grad school for me and it has also helped me in my general professional development. Much thanks and props to Dra. Martínez-Vu for putting this together!"
Diana VC
"This podcast is a must listen for anyone (esp first gen BIPOC individuals) who plans to apply to or is already attending grad school. Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu shares her expertise in an accessible, kind, affirming, and candid way. Her episodes include advice that demystifies the grad school application process and equips listeners with the knowledge they need to succeed. I can't thank Dra. Martínez-Vu enough for her phenomenal work!"
t.celeste
"Exactly what I was looking for. I am so appreciative that I found this podcast. I can’t tell you how much this representation is key in higher education. Her calm aura eases my anxiety and I began to feel more prepared and lose my imposter syndrome. I am first gen, disabled, and low income so hearing this advice from someone similar reminds me that I belong in higher education.”
Zozomoon
“Thank you for this podcast! As someone who is Latina, first-generation, low-income, and has recently been admitted to graduate school, I‘m so glad to have found this podcast! Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu is not only knowledgeable about the resources available to those considering applying or going to grad school but she is super relatable as well. I definitely recommend listening to this podcast!”
JessiVP
"Gem after gem after gem. Each episode of this podcast provides insightful advice and commentary on prepping for graduate school and applications, in particular. This podcast has dramatically changed my entire outlook on the process of applying and I’ve found it extremely useful. I cannot express how great it is, you’ll have to listen for yourself and be the judge! Thank you so much, Dra. Martínez-Vu!"
MightyLeviathan
“Great resource. I recently graduated with my masters last year. I specifically related to ‘Dealing with Post Grad Blues’ and I felt heard for the first time! As a first generation Latina woman, I appreciated this podcast, especially her Instagram account. I promised myself that I would take a few years off before applying for a PhD — starting the process this fall and her resources have been SUPER helpful”
hernales000
“Must Listen for All Prospective Applicants. Doctora Martinez-Vu is an invaluable resource. As PhD admissions is very obscure, she provides valuable information specifically geared for those usually marginalized. As someone who is a person of color and from a lower SES, I truly am grateful for the information shared in this podcast. I cannot thank the host enough!”
hzxfvnjb
“This podcast can be an important resource for BIPOC students navigating higher ed. So many of us are First-Gens, leaving us to figure it all out ourselves and explain it to our parents, guardians, siblings, and other family members. In many cases, this is a stressful and lonely journey, which is why Dr. Yvette Martinez-Wu's podcast is such a gem. Looking forward to reading her latest book too!”
Rachel in Seoul
“As a professor, who has been an Academia more than 20 years, I learn so much from Yvette’s words of wisdom, tips and tricks, and insights. She helps reframe my way of thinking, when I sometimes get stuck in my old ways, and she motivates me to use new approaches and methods to obtain my goals. When I listen to her podcast, I feel like can conquer the world!”
Chiquitota
“Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu is an incredible person that I had the honor to collaborate for an edited book “The Chicana Motherwork Anthology” and as a guest for this podcast. Dr. Yvette shares so many gems and nuggets of wisdom for graduate students. A podcast you need to follow and support so that you don’t miss out on valuable information.”
4YourHealth
“Always keeping it real. This podcast is great for anyone who is considering how to get through grad school or even to go to grad school and every other aspect of your life and how grad school will affect it. I really enjoyed my episode with Yvette talking about chronic illness and it's very practical for anyone who's going through different things.”
Crafted by Nikita
“I love this podcast! I love how real and motivating her content is. Honestly, this podcast is part of my morning routine because I always leave feeling energized. I've had low moments as I navigated my PhD journey such as working with my advisor, dissertation writing blocks, or worrying about my next career move. This podcast has it all, and has made me feel so supported”
Ani Yesenia
“This is a great resource for folks featuring guests that inspire and content that is relevant and to the point. I came across this podcast when I first thought about going back to school and needed direction to get things moving. I like that her content is conscience about being inclusive of different people's approaches to learning. On a side note, I also find her voice to be super calming!”
Stephanie774
“This podcast helped me feel seen and less alone during a difficult time in my research journey, especially when I questioned whether I belonged. I deeply appreciate how accessible and adaptable the insights are. When I reached out about a topic that mattered to me, Dra. Yvette responded with care and even created a full episode about it. She truly walks the walk.”
ReflexiveResearcher
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Free Download

Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit

To get started and learn more, you can download a free copy of my 17-page Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit with practical tools for success for first-gen BIPOC college and grad students!

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