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“Joa knows the GMAT material better than anyone I've ever met. She also completely understands the graduate school application process, what the schools are looking for, and is always completely supportive. I've experienced many different tutors, but Joa is by far the best. I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
“I worked with Emily at JEM Achievement for career coaching and achieved amazing results. Emily and I focused on crafting my career story and honing my interview technique. The skills I learned from Emily directly contributed to achieving my goal of breaking into a top consulting firm from an internal role. I received two offers at top consulting firms. I accepted the role at my dream firm and increased my salary by 25%.”
“Both Emily and Joa are incredible GMAT consultants. More than tutors, they truly partner with you every step of the way. With each session, I felt more confident and reassured to trust the process and to continue to keep a focused mind. I would recommend both Emily and Joa to anyone preparing to apply to business school.”
Taylor had decided to pursue her MBA after meeting a few admissions committee reps at an MBA fair in South Africa where she was working at the time. She was passionate about the music industry and had her heart set on Columbia. However, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to pull it off. Her GMAT score fell quite a bit below the middle 80% of students and her essays showed that she knew a lot about the music industry but failed to show her personality.
Some of her key concerns were:
And then there were some things that she wasn’t even considering:
She was feeling overwhelmed and was in need of a confidence boost. She had tons of people supporting her and helping, but she was struggling to sift through what was good versus bad advice.
When we started working together, we began developing a clear strategy and storyline. There wasn’t giving her false promises or telling her that she could do anything she put her mind to… I was helping her develop a pragmatic, strategic approach to the admissions process to set her up for success. There are no guarantees when it comes to admissions… but there was absolutely a better way to position herself in her applications to give herself the best shot.
By the end of our journey together, Taylor had built up her confidence beyond simply the admissions process. She felt confident approaching internship interviews and had a clearer method of storytelling (by the way… that skill is important in most business situations!). Now she has completed her MBA and is currently working in the music industry! We love to help ambitious people achieve their goals and expand their network and world-view. We want GREAT people to be in leadership positions and have a seat at the table.
MBA 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.
Resumes: 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 resume 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 resume 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 700+ GMAT 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