GradSupport is here to help.
We provide private advising and support for MIT graduate students navigating academic, personal, and professional hurdles. Challenges are easier to solve together — we’re here to help. Due to high volume, students are seen by appointment only.
The GradSupport team can provide advice and counsel on a variety of issues including:
📈 Academic/Research Progress + Milestones
Navigating coursework, qualifying exams, thesis/dissertation progress, degree requirements, delays in time to degree
🔬 Advisor/Committee/Faculty Relationship
Communication issues, conflicts, mentorship concerns, switching advisors/labs
⚕️ Leaves and Accommodations
Medical leaves and returns, navigating graduate academic leave options, accessibility concerns, other types of accommodations
🛟 Emergency Hardship Funding
Short-Term Emergency Hardship Fund, Long-term Doctoral Assistance, Miller Fund application assistance for medical costs not covered by insurance
🏡 Housing + Basic Needs
On or off-campus housing (for issues beyond the scope of the Graduate Housing office), food insecurity, caregiving or caretaking responsibilities
🌎 International Student Concerns
Academic concerns related to visa status (and outside the scope of ISO advising), difficulties with culture shock and adjusting to academic life abroad
⏳ Excused Absence/Extension Requests
(not applicable for Sloan coursework)
Missed academic work including a midterm or final examination; final paper or project; and/or attendance in the classroom or lab
🫤 Mental Health and Wellbeing
Anxiety, stress, isolation, feeling unhappy, grief, burnout, executive functioning concerns, ongoing assistance in conjunction with MIT Student Mental Health + Counseling
💲 Financial and Funding Concerns
Funding gaps, stipend delays, guidance on Guaranteed Transitional Support
📋 Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures
Navigating student’s rights and responsibilities
🏛️ Safety Concerns
Academic impacts of harassment, discrimination, Title IX, other conduct or legal issues (Note: GradSupport is a private resource)
👥 Other Personal Concerns
Friend/roommate conflicts, other interpersonal conflicts, family matters, world events (disasters + crises)
GradSupport can help you navigate the above topics and all the ways they may intersect at various points throughout your graduate education. We are one resource in a large constellation of MIT offices dedicated to graduate support services.
I’d like to get connected with GradSupport. What should I expect?
| ① | Schedule an appointment with us by completing the intake form, or send questions to gradsupport@mit.edu. Simple questions may be resolved by email or phone; others will be scheduled as appointments. |
| ② | Your 30-minute appointment Talk through your situation with a caring team member. They’ll help you develop strategies, approaches, and next steps tailored to your individual circumstances. They may also refer you to other resources or offices. |
| ③ | Follow-up (as needed) Depending on the situation, you may set up a follow-up meeting or decide to schedule regular meetings/check-ins. You will leave these future meetings with tools, strategies, resources, and information to move forward. We can also advocate on your behalf or connect you with additional campus resources. |
Meet the GradSupport Team
Associate Dean, GradThriving
Assistant Dean, GradSupport
Associate Dean, GradSupport Team Lead
Assistant Dean, Special Projects
Assistant Dean, GradSupport
GradSupport Program Coordinator
Graduate Interns, AY2026-2027
Our interns are trained to manage a student caseload, provide advice and counsel to graduate students’ academic concerns, and reviewed applications submitted to the Short-Term Emergency Hardship Fund.
MSW student, Boston College
Intern, GradSupport
MSW student, Boston College
Intern, GradSupport
