Jesse Shamshoian
College essay coach and admissions consultant in San Diego
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | San Diego, California, United States |
| Sessions | Online |
| Credentials | College Counseling Certificate, UCSD; HECA member; Independent college consultant |
| Practice | Gramma's Jam |
Jesse Shamshoian is a college admissions consultant and essay coach who helps students with college applications. He founded Gramma's Jam in San Diego. Before consulting, he wrote for a living, taught English, and worked as a tutor and director at two tutoring companies. He wrote a book on college application essays. He works with students by Zoom on personal statements, supplements, and the rest of the application.
What Jesse helps with
Jesse helps students plan their applications and write essays that tell their own stories. He covers the full process, from building a college list to finishing supplements.
- Building a college list
- Writing personal statements
- UC personal insight questions
- Common App essays
- Supplemental essays
- Scholarship essays
- Activity list descriptions
Who Jesse works with
Jesse works with students applying to college, and with their parents. Clients range from those who want help with one essay to those who want guidance through the whole application process. Students can work one-on-one with him or study on their own in a self-paced online course.
How Jesse works
Jesse meets one-on-one with students over Zoom to work on their essays and applications. Students who prefer to work alone can use a self-paced online course. The course starts with Step 1, building a college list and getting organized. He also teaches students to use journaling and self-reflection, so they can share their personal stories in their writing.
Background and qualifications
Jesse earned his undergraduate degree at the University of San Diego and studied abroad in Oxford, England. He later earned a College Counseling Certificate through UCSD. He worked as a technical and freelance writer, then began his education career as an English teacher. He moved into tutoring and served as a tutor and director at two tutoring companies. He then started his own independent college consulting practice. He is a HECA member and wrote The College Application Essay Mindset.
Jesse Shamshoian pricing
Programs and services
- One-on-one private coaching by Zoom
- Self-paced online courses for students
- Free college list and organization step
Jesse Shamshoian reviews
The CoachVouch take
Jesse wrote a published book on college application essays and has spent about two decades in education.
Best for students who want one-on-one help writing personal statements and supplemental essays.
Common questions
How much does Jesse Shamshoian charge?
Coaching with Jesse runs $150 to $225 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Jesse Shamshoian help with?
Jesse Shamshoian helps with building a college list, writing personal statements, uC personal insight questions and common App essays.
Does Jesse Shamshoian coach online?
Jesse is based in San Diego, California, United States. Sessions are online.
Is Jesse Shamshoian certified?
Jesse Shamshoian lists: College Counseling Certificate, UCSD; HECA member; Independent college consultant.
How do I contact Jesse Shamshoian?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Jesse and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" on any coach to add them to your intro request.
Alexandra Matthews
Alexandra Matthews is a college admissions counselor who runs College Odyssey in Mill Valley, California. She helps high school students find best-fit colleges and get in. She has worked as a life coach with teens for 20 years, focusing on anxiety and stress. She also taught writing at an Ivy League college and has interviewed applicants as an alumni interviewer for an Ivy League school. She works with clients across the country and abroad.
Amber Thompson
Amber Thompson is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with college admissions. She runs AT College Consulting in El Segundo, California, and works with families across the country. Her work covers finding colleges that fit a student's academic, social and financial needs. She also helps students with their essays. She meets with students on Zoom calls. She is a Professional member of IECA.
Austin Lee
Austin Lee is an independent college admissions consultant in Belmont, California. He helps high school students and their parents plan for college and work through the admissions process. Before consulting, he spent 17 years working in higher education at some of the most prestigious universities in the world. His work covers building a college list, essay support, and application help. He also offers advice for student athletes.
Barbra Rosenstein
Barbra Rosenstein is an independent college admissions consultant who helps students and parents with the college application process. She founded Clear College Choices in 2015. She helps students build a balanced college list, choose essay topics, and review essays and applications. She also works with College Dream Team, a community based organization that supports first generation, low-income students. Families in California use her services.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.