Meet Alex Tran, a meticulous and goal-oriented student in the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo. Alex has always dreamed of pursuing a PhD in applied mathematics, motivated by a passion for solving real-world problems through mathematics. Having navigated the competitive landscape of grad school applications, Alex has learned the hard way the importance of grades and funding, making it a personal mission to guide fellow students in understanding the nuances of graduate education—often sharing insights on forums like Reddit to demystify the process.