Meet Our Founder Jesse Shamshoian — Experienced College Consultant And Expert Essay Coach

Jesse Shamshoian is a UCSD-Certified College Counselor, published author, and the founder of Gramma's Jam — a one-on-one college essay coaching and consulting service for high school students, transfer applicants, and graduate school candidates. His mission is simple: to help every student tell their most authentic story through their college application essays, personal statement, UC personal insight questions, supplemental essays, and activity lists — and get accepted into the school that's the right fit for them!

Jesse's Credentials And Background

Jesse is a graduate of the University of San Diego, where he developed a deep love of writing that took him to Oxford, England for study abroad. After completing his studies, he worked as a technical and freelance writer before beginning what would become a two-decade career in education — first as an English teacher, then as a tutor, and eventually as a director at two distinguished tutoring companies.

Today, Jesse is a current member of both HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association) and NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling). He works virtually with motivated students throughout the US and abroad applying to universities in the US, Canada, and Europe. His expertise is focused on the written elements of the college application — personal statements, UC PIQs, supplemental essays, scholarship essays, resumes, and activity list descriptions. He even wrote the book on it: The College Application Essay Mindset — The Essential Guide for Writing Impactful Personal Statements and Supplements, endorsed by Pat Hayashi, the former Associate Chancellor of Admissions at UC Berkeley and former Associate President of the UC System.

What drives Jesse isn't just college admissions outcomes — it's the deeper work. He believes that the skills students develop through essay writing, journaling, and self-reflection extend far beyond their applications and enrich their lives for years to come. He feels genuinely privileged to be part of that journey for every student he works with. Jesse lives in San Diego, California, with his wife Rose and their pup Rudy.

What’s In A Name?

Curious about the name? Here's the story.

My grandmother Cleo used to make the most delicious jam. Every year, when it came time, she painstakingly plucked the plump boysenberries from the vines that grew along the old, rickety fence surrounding her backyard. She transformed those berries into the jam that she proudly passed out to her four children’s families. Honestly, when I close my eyes, I can still taste the jam all these years later!

In a figurative sense, my grandmother’s “jam” was teaching her grandchildren the importance of education and reminding us how significant a role it would play in our lives. 

My grandmother always encouraged me to do well in school and attend university. Without her influence, I know that education would have never become my “jam,” nor would I be as passionate about the work I do with students today.