GradEcho (https://gradecho.actualaiz.com/)

When I first joined LUMS as an Assistant Professor back in 2011, I remember I was walking down one of the hallways when I bumped into a student. Curious about his future plans, I asked him what he intended to do after his studies. With a mix of ambition and resignation in his voice, he shared that he intended to apply for graduate school—though not until the following year. When I asked why not this year, his response was: "I missed this year's deadline—a consequence of navigating an unfamiliar process without the guidance or networks that many of my peers have access to. The information existed, just not in ways I could find from my starting point."


That moment stayed with me. It was a stark reminder of how many dreams are left unfulfilled simply because vital information and guidance aren't accessible. Determined to make a difference, I and my colleagues started conducting grad school sessions at LUMS. As we continued this journey, it became increasingly clear that this issue was widespread. There was a pressing need to democratize graduate school advice and make it available to all. No student should ever miss out on their potential due to a lack of information and guidance.


Today, with my incredible colleagues, Agha Ali Raza and Zafar Qazi, we are proud to launch GradEcho—a platform born from the belief that every student deserves equal access to guidance and support. GradEcho is a discussion forum designed to connect prospective students with experienced graduate students and professors. Whether you need advice on applications, tips on building your profile, or guidance on finalizing your university, you'll find a community of professors, scholars, admission committee members, and current graduate students ready to help.

You can sign up now at https://gradecho.actualaiz.com/