Independent Scholarship doesn’t have to be a solo act

You don’t need another research methods textbook or writing guide. You need structure, accountability, and someone in your corner to reach your goals and turn your ideas into publishable scholarship and essays.

Fellows is a Coaching program built for independent scholars and returning students seeking to learn the ropes of research, refine their writing, and begin sharing their work with the world.

IS Fellows RIGHT FOR YOU?

You feel isolated while trying to develop your research methods and scholarship.

Fellows join an exclusive community which, in solidarity, come together to make incremental progress, celebrate your wins, and hold space for the difficult days.

You lack structure and accountability to turn your goals into published works.

As a Fellow you are paired with a dedicated Tutor who will guide you through your research & writing process by establishing small, manageable steps which will help you achieve your goals.

You have big ambitions but lack clarity on your next step forward.

Whether you’re applying for a conference, trying to publish your book, or are starting on Substack, Fellows is here to help you find a way forward and establish systems to build confidence and momentum.

With Fellows, you never have face a challenge, a road block, or an intimidating conference submission alone.

The Fellows Method

Comprehensive 1:1 Onboarding 

  • Meet and connect with your Tutor 

  • Identify your goals and establish a roadmap

Weekly Write Ins

  • Guided writing session run by Katie

  • Writing sprints and chatty breaks 

  • Mindful reflection

1:1 Support from your dedicated “Tutor”

  • Office hours: sign up for a monthly office hour meeting with Katie or Cait for individual support and guidance 

  • Coach support between sessions via messaging

Full Access to Accepted Society 

  • In addition to our dedicated PhDone space, enjoy all of the incredible offerings within the Accepted Society scholars membership, including daily writing sessions, round the clock study sessions, weekly goal setting, and more 

Meet Your Tutor!

Katie is a fashion archivist and independent researcher working to preserve 19th-21st century fashion and researching the intersection of political identity and style. She completed her BA in Anthropology at UC Berkeley, and her MA in Fashion Studies at Parsons School of Design. When she’s not running a session at Accepted, she is the archivist for a small historic fashion collection at Illinois State University.

A multipassionate scholar, Katie believes in pursuing a diverse intellectual life through independent research, and doing so alongside a supportive community. As an educator and coach, she aims to nurture the same drive for an intellectually fulfilling life in others. Katie invites lifelong scholars to reflect inward to build an inner sense of confidence and ability to explore all that sparks curiosity, and the need we all share to know more.

What our Fellows have to say

  • I joined Accepted Society when I began my journey as an independent researcher. I had recently graduated from my Masters degree and I knew that I wanted to pursue a PhD, but financial and health issues meant that it wasn't an immediate possibility. Instead, I decided to continue to research on my own. However, as a first-generation, non-traditional, mature student... I had no idea what I was doing! Additionally, one of the biggest downsides to going at it on my own was the fact that I didn't have a sense of community (because I didn't have a cohort, and as someone who moved countries, I didn't have my usual support network of friends and family to turn to). Accepted Society became my rock; it grounded me in my dreams and encouraged me to believe in my abilities as a researcher. Not only did the space provide essential accountability, but crucially, the community gave me a sense of belonging and friendship in a space that I never thought I could exist within. So when the time came for me to finally apply for a PhD, I leaned on that supportive community to see me through. When I recieved an offer for a PhD studentship, there was no one I was more excited to share the news with than the Accepted Society community because these were the people who KNEW how much this meant to me and geniunely celebrated my achievements. Joining Accepted Society was the best decision I've ever made in my academic journey.

  • I joined AS because I wanted to find folks who understand the academic experience. I am blown away by how much support is offered by just having dependable weekly meetings. The folks at AS really provide tangible support and meaningful community.

  • My experience with AS has been positive and encouraging as an independent researcher and entrepreneur considering going back to further their education. I enjoy the accountability aspect through study sessions and other events to get myself engaged in the academic community.

Your Journey Begins Here

When you join Accepted Fellows, you're not just accessing resources—you're finding your community. A place where your questions matter, your research is valued, and your unconventional path is understood.

Launching September 2026

ACCEPTED