Expert College Consulting Services
No matter your background, budget, or learning style, college is for you, and Gramma’s Jam can help you get there!
Expert College Consulting Services
No matter your background, budget, or learning style, college is for you, and Gramma’s Jam can help you get there!
Choose Your Flavor
Whether you’re a student or parent/family member, Gramma’s Jam has a plan that will work for your or your student's specific needs:
Private Coaching for Students
Do you learn best in a personalized setting? Sign up for one-on-one Zoom classes with Founder Jesse Shamshoian…
Online Courses for Students
Are you looking for a self-paced program where you can work independently?...
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Countless schools to choose from. So many deadlines to meet. The daunting Personal Statement Essay. Supplemental Essays that seem to never end. Letters of Rec. Activity Lists… Ahhh, where do I even begin!?! It’s enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. Well, you’re not alone. Gramma’s Jam will help you get organized and guide you in the challenging but exciting journey you’re about to embark on!
Step 2: Time To Prep
With so many students who look exactly like you on paper (awesome GPA, high test scores, and impressive extracurriculars), it’s hard to stand out. You’re probably thinking to yourself, What’s unique about me? Gramma’s Jam will guide you through an essential self-reflection process, allowing you to better understand who you are and what makes you tick. The learnings you gain about the one-and-only you will help you stand out from the pack!
Step 3: Let’s Get Cookin’
Imagine. College admissions officers comb through thousands of applications every year, with most of them sounding pretty much the same. Time for you to jump off the page with your app, making that exhausted admissions officer feel as if you are there in the office with them sharing your genuine, one-of-a-kind story. With a pantry full of tips and tricks, Gramma’s Jam is your one-stop shop to take your college app to the next level.
Finally, Gramma’s Jam Is Ready!
Gramma’s Jam is committed to serving everyone seated at the College Admissions table. We can help if you’re a:
- Motivated student who is striving to get into a college that is a great fit for you
- Talented student who needs a little help in putting your unique story down on paper
- Caring parent or family member who could use some guidance navigating the complex college admissions and writing process
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Countless schools to choose from. So many deadlines to meet. The daunting Personal Statement Essay. Supplemental Essays that seem to never end. Letters of Rec. Activity Lists… Ahhh, where do I even begin!?! It’s enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. Well, you’re not alone. Gramma’s Jam will help you get organized and guide you in the challenging but exciting journey you’re about to embark on!
Step 2: Time To Prep
With so many students who look exactly like you on paper (awesome GPA, high test scores, and impressive extracurriculars), it’s hard to stand out. You’re probably thinking to yourself, What’s unique about me? Gramma’s Jam will guide you through an essential self-reflection process, allowing you to better understand who you are and what makes you tick. The learnings you gain about the one-and-only you will help you stand out from the pack!
Step 3: Let’s Get Cookin’
Imagine. College admissions officers comb through thousands of applications every year, with most of them sounding pretty much the same. Time for you to jump off the page with your app, making that exhausted admissions officer feel as if you are there in the office with them sharing your genuine, one-of-a-kind story. With a pantry full of tips and tricks, Gramma’s Jam is your one-stop shop to take your college app to the next level.
Finally, Gramma’s Jam Is Ready!
Gramma’s Jam is committed to serving everyone seated at the College Admissions table. We can help if you’re a:
- Motivated student who is striving to get into a college that is a great fit for you
- Talented student who needs a little help in putting your unique story down on paper
- Caring parent or family member who could use some guidance navigating the complex college admissions and writing process
What Students And Parents Are Saying About Gramma’s Jam
My son is a good writer himself, but more is needed when it comes to college essays. The topic you can write and what you want to demonstrate in your essay are the keys, and that’s where Jesse’s guidance is so necessary. He is so keen on finding the story during a conversation with my son. They settled on a topic that we all love so much. Following Jesse’s guidance, my son came up with a decent essay, but after several rounds of editing with Jesse, the essay is amazing; it demonstrates so many sides of this student, which makes the college admissions see the potential beyond those test scores and grades. I think this essay made him stand out among all those high-achieving applicants. He got into Rice ED, which is his dream school. We could not thank Jesse enough for it. My son literally told me he couldn’t make it without Jesse’s wisdom.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
The teachings from Gramma’s Jam were a lifesaver when it came to my college apps. From discussing the heart of where I really wanted to go and why to helping structure and format my essays, Jesse helped me build a great college list and write essays that I was actually excited to share. With his help, I got into USC and NYU. GJ is a fantastic resource!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Student
Jesse worked with me to guide me while writing my UC personal insight questions. As a result, I was admitted into seven of the nine schools I applied to, including UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, and my first choice UCLA. Jesse is an amazing tutor who truly cares for his students and is genuinely interested in developing your confidence and celebrating your successes. If you are looking for a coach with experience and proven results, pick Jesse!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Student
Jesse has been much more than a counselor for me – he has been a mentor and a friend. As a Gramma's Jam Scholarship recipient, he guided me through my entire college and scholarship application process, going above and beyond by suggesting different activities I could talk about and ways I could uniquely show my strengths through my essays. Thanks to Jesse’s tutoring help, I was the first person in my school's history to earn more than $250,000 in scholarships. I attribute much of this success to Jesse's guidance on how I could talk about all of my hard work in high school openly and meaningfully. I would undoubtedly recommend his private tutoring services or online courses for your college application essay writing needs.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Student
Jesse was incredibly helpful in guiding my daughter's essay writing process. His suggestions during the drafting stages were invaluable as she worked on her essays, helping her clearly articulate her transfer story, personal goals, and accomplishments. His feedback was both direct and concise, which was essential since my daughter is a full-time college student with limited time to dedicate to her writing. Jesse has a remarkable ability to see the broader context while also identifying specific weaknesses related to different application prompts. Thanks to his support, my daughter was able to secure acceptances in the first round at Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, and NYU’s Stern School of Business. Given this positive experience, I have already arranged for him to assist my younger daughter, who is a rising senior, with her regular admission essay.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
Jesse is an excellent coach! He guided my daughter through the college application essay process, challenging her to think of ideas that showed her personality, patiently reviewing her numerous essay iterations, and motivating her to cross the finish line as deadlines drew closer. Due to his expert guidance and tutoring, she got into Princeton and Brown universities, which were her top two college choices. I highly recommend Jesse!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
My son is a good writer himself, but more is needed when it comes to college essays. The topic you can write and what you want to demonstrate in your essay are the keys, and that’s where Jesse’s guidance is so necessary. He is so keen on finding the story during a conversation with my son. They settled on a topic that we all love so much. Following Jesse’s guidance, my son came up with a decent essay, but after several rounds of editing with Jesse, the essay is amazing; it demonstrates so many sides of this student, which makes the college admissions see the potential beyond those test scores and grades. I think this essay made him stand out among all those high-achieving applicants. He got into Rice ED, which is his dream school. We could not thank Jesse enough for it. My son literally told me he couldn’t make it without Jesse’s wisdom.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
The teachings from Gramma’s Jam were a lifesaver when it came to my college apps. From discussing the heart of where I really wanted to go and why to helping structure and format my essays, Jesse helped me build a great college list and write essays that I was actually excited to share. With his help, I got into USC and NYU. GJ is a fantastic resource!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Student
Jesse worked with me to guide me while writing my UC personal insight questions. As a result, I was admitted into seven of the nine schools I applied to, including UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, and my first choice UCLA. Jesse is an amazing tutor who truly cares for his students and is genuinely interested in developing your confidence and celebrating your successes. If you are looking for a coach with experience and proven results, pick Jesse!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Student
Jesse has been much more than a counselor for me – he has been a mentor and a friend. As a Gramma's Jam Scholarship recipient, he guided me through my entire college and scholarship application process, going above and beyond by suggesting different activities I could talk about and ways I could uniquely show my strengths through my essays. Thanks to Jesse’s tutoring help, I was the first person in my school's history to earn more than $250,000 in scholarships. I attribute much of this success to Jesse's guidance on how I could talk about all of my hard work in high school openly and meaningfully. I would undoubtedly recommend his private coaching services for your college application essay writing needs.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Student
Jesse was incredibly helpful in guiding my daughter's essay writing process. His suggestions during the drafting stages were invaluable as she worked on her essays, helping her clearly articulate her transfer story, personal goals, and accomplishments. His feedback was both direct and concise, which was essential since my daughter is a full-time college student with limited time to dedicate to her writing. Jesse has a remarkable ability to see the broader context while also identifying specific weaknesses related to different application prompts. Thanks to his support, my daughter was able to secure acceptances in the first round at Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, and NYU’s Stern School of Business. Given this positive experience, I have already arranged for him to assist my younger daughter, who is a rising senior, with her regular admission essay.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
Jesse is an excellent coach! He guided my daughter through the college application essay process, challenging her to think of ideas that showed her personality, patiently reviewing her numerous essay iterations, and motivating her to cross the finish line as deadlines drew closer. Due to his expert guidance and tutoring, she got into Princeton and Brown universities, which were her top two college choices. I highly recommend Jesse!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
Meet Our Founder Jesse
Jesse Shamshoian, the founder of Gramma’s Jam, is an Independent Educational Consultant who is passionate about helping students reach their fullest potential, both academically and personally.
The College Application Essay Mindset: The Essential Guide For Writing Impactful Personal Statements And Supplements
Gramma’s Jam services are rooted in the tools, strategies, and principles introduced in Jesse’s highly-regarded pocketbook.
“The College Application Essay Mindset acknowledges that the personal essay is a key determinant in whether a student is admitted or turned down by a highly selective university. But it suggests something more profound. It suggests that students take this opportunity to paint a self-portrait describing not only what they look like superficially but who they are beneath the surface – their strengths, their weaknesses, their values, their uncertainties, their beauty, their flaws.”
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Pat Hayashi
Former Associate Chancellor of Admissions and Enrollment at UC Berkeley and Former Associate President of the UC System
Dr. Hayashi conceived of and oversaw the introduction of holistic admissions at UC Berkeley and later guided all other UC campuses in adopting this approach to the admissions process.
The College Application Essay Mindset: The Essential Guide For Writing Impactful Personal Statements And Supplements
Gramma’s Jam services are rooted in the tools, strategies, and principles introduced in Jesse’s highly-regarded pocketbook.
Dr. Hayashi conceived of and oversaw the introduction of holistic admissions at UC Berkeley and later guided all other UC campuses in adopting this approach to the admissions process.
“The College Application Essay Mindset acknowledges that the personal essay is a key determinant in whether a student is admitted or turned down by a highly selective university. But it suggests something more profound. It suggests that students take this opportunity to paint a self-portrait describing not only what they look like superficially but who they are beneath the surface – their strengths, their weaknesses, their values, their uncertainties, their beauty, their flaws.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pat Hayashi
Former Associate Chancellor of Admissions and Enrollment at UC Berkeley and Former Associate President of the UC System
Start Jammin’ On Your College App Journey Now
Your junior and senior years are busy enough, so get to work on your college apps now! By starting early, you will avoid getting overwhelmed by everything else you have going on. Most importantly, you will be able to devote the time you need to reflect on what you genuinely want out of your college experience and to craft impactful and polished college apps that you are proud of!
