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Jerome knew he wanted to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and a career as an academic. He lit up when he talked about his first research experiences. He loved the idea of novel discovery. He was bright, funny, and a little bit nerdy. He didn’t have a strong GRE score, but luckily many of the programs in his field weren’t requiring GRE score submissions. However, Jerome’s confidence wasn’t very high: it seemed like he thought his dream of a PhD was a very long shot.
A few pressing concerns for Jerome were:
Jerome had the basic building blocks of a PhD application, but everything needed fine tuning, and he knew he needed help. Advisors were great support, but couldn’t provide the granular feedback needed to really take his applications to the next level.
The first task we worked on was to develop a disciplined way to assess potential PhD programs and advisors. We set up a strategic assessment process and a way to track the various application requirements which helped to ground Jerome through the entire admissions adventure. From there, we used a blend of interview-style sessions to get to the heart of Jerome’s experiences and active writing techniques to elicit his ideas for the statements of purpose and personal statements. Jerome created strong and eye-catching descriptions of his research, and began to set himself up for success.
By the time Jerome submitted his PhD applications, his self confidence had sky-rocketed, and he felt in control of his academic choices. The skills he built over the course of our work together were ones he could carry forward and continue to use. Not only did Jerome build up a knowledge base about applications, he developed his ability to work through a process in a grounded, strategic way (definitely something useful for graduate school and beyond!).
Our admissions services are an investment in the future you see for yourself. We love to help ambitious people achieve their goals, because we believe in the good that comes from that investment. We want GREAT people to be in leadership positions and have a seat at the table.
Grad school applications don't have to be something you dread!
When you work with a JEM expert, you’re working with someone who has over 10 years of experience in teaching people how to achieve their professional goals, and not only that, but also in making it a little bit fun!
Strategy: we’ll help you decide how to select programs based on the best fit for you and plan your applications (along with networking ideas, recommendation tips, test prep advice, and more) so you’re empowered by the process.
Essays: break down the essay prompts to something understandable, decide what parts to answer, and craft your story in a way that shows your best self – and maybe even be surprised by the new way you see yourself.
CV: there’s an art to putting together the basics of your job description and adding in the shine of your accomplishments, and we know just how to help you with your masterpiece.
Organization: keeping track of the deadlines plus all of the little milestones that go into a complete application can get overwhelming fast, but we’ll help you make sense of the process and stay on track.
Interviews: there are always unknowns, and practicing in front of the mirror can only take you so far – we can help give you a more simulated interview and feedback to get you ready and prepared for the Real Deal.
Confidence: no one knows better than we do that the application process can erode self-confidence, but we firmly believe that you can make an empowering experience out of it, and continue to use the skills you build for your future goals.
We’ll get to know you and determine who your primary consultant will be. We match our clients with consultants, paying careful attention to personality fit and expertise to offer. During the assessment, we’ll do a deep dive on your experience, your unique qualities, and your passion for your educational and career goals. We’ll assess your test scores, your current resume, and your skills. This information will be brought to bear in our work to perfect your admissions packets.
In this phase, we’ll map out and finalize your school selection, create a timeline for completing all of the mini milestones that lead into a completed application, and make sure all relevant deadlines are noted and planned for. We’ll set priorities for tackling test scores, assess your social media presence, and discuss recommender selection. By the time we finish here, you’ll feel in control of accomplishing the steps you need to apply successfully.
Your CV is a window to your soul. Just kidding! But in all seriousness, it is an important snapshot of the best of what you have to offer. We’ll conduct an interview style session to really get a true sense of your experience, accomplishments, and passion and we’ll weave that into an aesthetic that works for you and your career path. This is one of the most satisfying steps of the process, because a completed CV feels so great to have in hand. We’ll get there together!
We’ll start with the information gathered during the assessment phase, and we’ll build on that and start essay ideation. You may feel overwhelmed by the essay prompts, or feel like they’re mysterious in terms of what they’re asking. Together we’ll break down the details of what programs are reading for when they pick up your essays, and you’ll craft your story in a compelling and authentic way. We’ll also make sure that any supplemental questions on the application are squared away. This phase involves a lot of back and forth between you and your consultant, and the finished product should feel like an extension of you.
Putting your best foot forward in an interview is a skill that very few have automatically, but we can help make you shine. Interviews are a natural extension from the storytelling you started in writing your personal statements, and we’ll get into the details of showcasing your talent and experience in a way that is true to who you are and makes a winning impression on the admissions committees. We’ll talk about program expectations and how to meet and exceed them, and run through mock interviews with feedback sessions until you’re confident and ready to wow!
Let’s tie up all the loose ends and make sure everything is in order! We’ll finalize your applications together and you’ll hit submit. Phew!
And after you submit those applications, we’re here for next steps. Life can change quickly and there are all manner of twists to navigate: waitlists, deferrals, job offers. JEM has you covered for whatever path you’re on, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!
We (Joa and Emily) met while working for Big Test Prep companies and knew there was a better, more personalized way to provide digital test prep and admissions consulting services. Thus, JEM Achievement was born: tailored and flexible support available online, no matter where you are. JEM empowers students in pursuit of advanced education through curated courses, private tutoring, and strategic coaching. We strive to have a hand in developing future leaders within their communities, instilling a solid set of values to be carried forward.
We have worked with hundreds of clients preparing their admissions packets, from test prep all the way through to submission, over the course of our 10+ year careers in private education. We know how stressful the process can be and how it can erode confidence. Plus, with busy jobs and families, it can be difficult to add in professional and educational goals. We’re here to help you with a strategic, step-by-step guided process, and we hope to empower you from start to finish.
Both of us have compatible styles with sometimes different perspectives and strengths, which is why we make such a great team! When you work with one of us, you can be sure that you’re still getting the other because we are in constant communication behind the scenes, strategizing ways to bring out the best in your abilities. We have worked with students from all over the world from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of goals. You can be sure with us that you’ll receive honest advice and work with people who care about you as an individual. We know what achievement can do for self-confidence, and we want you to find success!
This service is perfect for you if you:
This service is most likely NOT a good fit if you have a 320+ GRE score (or are in an above-average range for your target school), have already networked at the school a ton, and feel confident that you have a solid grasp on the essays.
Of course, if you’re unsure, just reach out to us and we’ll advise you on what makes the most sense (even if that means telling you that you’re good to go!).
© 2021 JEM Achievement, LLC