Jessica Shklar - Best in the Business!

Strengths:

Jessica's strength lies in her ability to ask thoughtful questions and weave together parts of people's stories to make their applications showcase their strengths in unique and innovative ways. She is also very helpful in establishing a healthy mindset throughout the entire admissions process, from brainstorming to school selection to interview to acceptances and making final decisions.

Would make the product better:

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As I prepared to apply to a top-tiered business school program, I knew the importance of having the right consultant. I spoke with 8 different ones who all felt very transactional and like they would put my best interests in mind, so long as I could make up my mind and make the hefty investment in the arbitrarily short amount of time and availability they claimed they had remaining. Then came Jessica.

From our first conversation, I was incredibly impressed with her ability to ask thoughtful questions and listen with remarkable patience. She dug deep into my background (back to my childhood), my motivations for getting an MBA, and where I would flourish into the person and professional that I’m capable of being. She gave me the space to speak very vulnerably about my experiences and helped me brainstorm how I would weave those into my applications in the right way. Our sessions were intentional and productive, and she did a really good job of guiding me to put my best application forward, but recognizing that it was MY application to ultimately prepare how I thought was true and authentic to me.

Fast forward to the school selection process, I had my two schools set, but hadn’t decided on a third. I aimlessly threw names around, but they weren’t backed by any serious thought, just what I thought seemed good. As she got to know me, she recommended that I consider Stanford GSB, a school that she thought would fit my values and provide the growth experiences that I sought. When you tell someone they’re a “good fit” at the most competitive and elite business school in the world, you don’t know what to make of it. While she did acknowledge that there is obviously no guarantee GSB would work out, she helped me dig deep and find the confidence that if anyone could get in, it was me, and let me make the decision for myself. As I continued crafting my application and ultimately got the interview/visited the school, I fell in love with it and couldn’t stop thanking her. As we approached decision day, she offered unwavering emotional support as it was a very stressful time for me. When I got the call that I was accepted, I couldn’t wait to call her and celebrate.

Without Jessica, I never would’ve had the personal belief, motivation, or strength of application to apply to Stanford GSB, let alone interview and get accepted. Now I’m heading there for what will be a life-changing 2 years. I will never be able to repay Jessica, but the least I can do is help the next person looking to maximize their MBA application process: stop wasting time on 30 minute consultations with companies that don’t care about you and work with Jessica. She will bring the best out in you and you will be grateful that you chose to work with her.