One-On-One College Essay Coaching And Consulting
No matter your background, budget, or learning style, Gramma's Jam is here to help you craft a standout college application — from your personal statement to your very last supplemental essay.
Please Tell Me More
One-On-One College Essay Coaching And Consulting
No matter your background, budget, or learning style, Gramma's Jam is here to help you craft a standout college application — from your personal statement to your very last supplemental essay.
Please Tell Me MoreChoose Your College Application Support
Looking for one-on-one college application writing coaching? Work directly with Gramma's Jam via Zoom to craft your personal statement, UC personal insight questions, Common App essay, supplemental essays, scholarship essays, and activity list descriptions.
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: Build Your College List And Get Organized
Countless schools. Overlapping deadlines. A personal statement essay. Supplemental essays that never seem to end. UC personal insight questions. Activity lists. Letters of rec...Ahhh, where do I even begin!?! You're not alone — and Gramma's Jam will help you get organized and confidently navigate every step of the college application process!
Step 2: Time To Prep
With so many applicants who look exactly like you on paper — great GPA, high test scores, impressive extracurriculars — standing out in your college essays is everything. Gramma's Jam guides you through an essential self-reflection process so you can uncover what makes your story genuinely unique and craft application essays that get noticed!
Step 3: Let’s Get Cookin’
College admissions officers read thousands of applications every year — most sounding very much the same. Your college essays are your chance to jump off the page and make them feel like you're right there in the room with them. With expert essay coaching and a toolkit of proven strategies, Gramma's Jam helps you write a personal statement and supplements you're truly proud of.
Finally, Gramma’s Jam Is Ready!
Gramma's Jam is here for every student at the college admissions table — whether you're a high school sophomore exploring summer programs, a junior building your college list, a rising senior tackling applications, a transfer student, or a grad school applicant. Here's who we help:
- 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: Build Your College List And Get Organized
Countless schools. Overlapping deadlines. A personal statement essay. Supplemental essays that never seem to end. UC personal insight questions. Activity lists. Letters of rec...Ahhh, where do I even begin!?! You're not alone — and Gramma's Jam will help you get organized and confidently navigate every step of the college application process!
Step 2: Time To Prep
With so many applicants who look exactly like you on paper — great GPA, high test scores, impressive extracurriculars — standing out in your college essays is everything. Gramma's Jam guides you through an essential self-reflection process so you can uncover what makes your story genuinely unique and craft application essays that get noticed!
Step 3: Let’s Get Cookin’
College admissions officers read thousands of applications every year — most sounding very much the same. Your college essays are your chance to jump off the page and make them feel like you're right there in the room with them. With expert essay coaching and a toolkit of proven strategies, Gramma's Jam helps you write a personal statement and supplements you're truly proud of.
Finally, Gramma’s Jam Is Ready!
Gramma's Jam is here for every student at the college admissions table — whether you're a high school sophomore exploring summer programs, a junior building your college list, a rising senior tackling applications, a transfer student, or a grad school applicant. Here's who we help:
- 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
We feel so lucky to have found Jesse! Jesse and our daughter worked together on college essays, which culminated in our daughter being accepted to Harvard. One of the many great things about Jesse is his positive attitude and the genuine care he has for his students. The college application process can be anxiety-inducing, but Jesse’s educational talents and personal qualities helped reduce our daughter’s anxiety as well as improve her essays. No matter our daughter’s frame of mind at the beginning of any session with Jesse, she was always hopeful and excited after their meetings. We are happy to recommend Jesse, not just because of his extensive knowledge and expertise, but also because of his supportive and kind nature. Finding a great college counselor is important. Finding a great college counselor who is also a great human being is like winning the lottery.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
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
We feel so lucky to have found Jesse! Jesse and our daughter worked together on college essays, which culminated in our daughter being accepted to Harvard. One of the many great things about Jesse is his positive attitude and the genuine care he has for his students. The college application process can be anxiety-inducing, but Jesse’s educational talents and personal qualities helped reduce our daughter’s anxiety as well as improve her essays. No matter our daughter’s frame of mind at the beginning of any session with Jesse, she was always hopeful and excited after their meetings. We are happy to recommend Jesse, not just because of his extensive knowledge and expertise, but also because of his supportive and kind nature. Finding a great college counselor is important. Finding a great college counselor who is also a great human being is like winning the lottery.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Parent
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 is a UCSD-certified college counselor, HECA and NACAC member, and the author of The College Application Essay Mindset — endorsed by the former Associate Chancellor of Admissions at UC Berkeley. With two decades in education, Jesse has helped students gain acceptance to Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Rice, UCLA, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, NYU Stern, and many more.
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.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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
The college application process doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Your junior and senior years are busy enough — so get to work on your college essays now. By starting early, you'll have the time to reflect deeply on your story and craft a personal statement and supplements that truly represent who you are!
