welcome
JESSICA BURLINGAME
MBA AND EMBA ADMISSIONS | COACHING AND CONSULTING
Welcome.
Is now the time to apply for your MBA or EMBA?
Or do you want to do more research before you commit?
Either way, you may be looking for unbiased, expert support before you make your next move. Jessica Burlingame is a 3-time award-winning admissions consultant from Poets & Quants who offers 1:1 support to MBA and EMBA applicants worldwide.
You’re not just another applicant. This isn’t just another consulting firm.
Let’s connect.
About Jessica Burlingame
Jessica Burlingame has coached hundreds of global MBA and EMBA applicants since 2006 to achieve admission to their targeted schools, frequently with significant scholarship support. Clients have described their work with Jessica as “transformative” and “the best help I never knew I needed.” She particularly enjoys supporting her clients to find and articulate their unique stories and “why.” Her multidisciplinary background, depth of experience, and client-first approach to MBA and EMBA admissions distinguish Jessica’s services. She is dedicated to working with clients to not only support their optimal admissions results, but also foster essential skills and insights that begin with each consultation and endure long after admission and matriculation.
Jessica holds an MBA (Finance & Management) and a BA (English) from Columbia University. Her client base has included consultants, investors, doctors, military officers, entrepreneurs, family business leaders, filmmakers, and many more, who have gone on to earn degrees from top global programs in the US and abroad. She speaks fluent Italian and is a Yoga Alliance-certified meditation instructor. She divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, USA.
For executive coaching and leadership development services, please visit jessicaburlingame.com.
Services
Multiple paths. Custom support.
Full-Time MBA Admissions
You’ll never feel lonely in the full-time MBA pool! The applicant numbers are high, and the competitive bar even higher.
We’ll work to differentiate you and reduce your competitive pool to just one applicant – you! (And we’ve heard you’re fierce.)
We work with both regular and deferred-enrollment candidates.
Executive MBA Admissions
The Executive MBA bar is also high – with the twist that you’ll also need to demonstrate how you’ll juggle your responsibilities as a student with your career and personal commitments.
Extra challenges? Sure. But the extra rewards are there for the taking.
You’ve got this. We will help.
Part-Time MBA Admissions
Successful part-time applicants must demonstrate not only world-class juggling skills; you’ll also need to be a master self-motivator to forge your own path, in your own time.
We’ll help you chart your way.
Do I Really Want An MBA/EMBA?
That’s a GREAT question. Even if you’re 100% sponsored, you’re looking at a huge commitment to pursue the degree.
We’ll help you see this decision from every angle, and make the choice that’s right for you.
MBA & EMBA Re-Applicants
If your previous admissions results weren’t what you hoped for, let’s talk. We can assess your existing candidacy for strengths and future opportunities – and work with you towards achieving an outcome to celebrate.
Waitlist Support and Planning
Waitlisted or deferred by your top choices? You have opportunities and options – but need to tailor your approach to each school’s guidelines and requirements. We’ll team with you to assess your position and chart a course.
ALL ABOUT YOU
We start with YOU.
Many applicants ask first, “What does the SCHOOL want?” We ask first, “Who are YOU? What do YOU want?” (PS: Don’t worry. We’ll take care of the schools next.)
First we’ll dive deep.
We’ll start with the information that matters most to YOU to share – resume, transcripts, test scores, portfolio, any notes or drafts you’ve made.
Then we’ll add in a detailed analysis of your signature strengths – the true ‘superpowers’ of your candidacy.
And then we’ll talk it over 1:1. The most successful candidates connect most successfully. That starts right here.
Then we’ll go broad.
With our shared sense of where you’ve been and where you are, we shift focus to where you’re going.
You might think about this as envisioning the future in which you’re inviting the school to take an equity stake – by admitting YOU.
We’ll touch on every ‘logical level’ of your vision, so you’ll be able to share it with ease, confidence, and persuasiveness with everyone who matters to your application.
“[T]he question is:
How are you? How do you be?”
-Oliver Sacks, MD
(quoted in Vanity Fair, April 2015)
CRAFTING YOUR CANDIDACY
Next, we craft your candidacy.
Your applications > your essays. Your candidacy > your applications.
We’ll work to craft high-impact application deliverables. We’ll also be creating a soft place for your applications to land when you click ‘submit.’ This means you’re already known to your target schools through research, networking and outreach. The application then continues a conversation with the schools, rather than starting one.
It’s a subtle art that will require your steadfast commitment; your genuine curiosity; and your willingness to do what it takes.
stayING the course
You’ve applied! Now what?
Keeping the Momentum
Once you’ve submitted your applications, you can (and should!) keep optimizing your candidacy.
You’ll want to continue thinking (and acting) strategically at work to keep building your skills and credibility.
You’ll want to stay engaged with your activities outside of work to hone your leadership skills and enhance your growth trajectory.
And you’ll want to keep expanding and investing in your relationships with your target schools’ communities.
The waiting may be the hardest part – but you’ll also be learning, growing and getting stronger. And we’ll be with you.
Interview Preparation: The Art and the Science
Once you’ve caught your breath from submitting the applications (or maybe a little bit sooner!), we’ll start building skills that will serve you for any interview, MBA/EMBA-related or in the future.
We’ll work on timing and structuring your responses to nail the interview conversation. We’ll also supercharge your non-verbal skills by practicing techniques rooted in meditation, improv theater, and other fields where the job is to connect masterfully with your audience and yourself.
We’ll follow up with school-specific interview coaching once your invitations arrive.
Making decisions
When the verdict is in…
Supporting your decisions …
When you receive your admissions results, it’s time to take stock and make decisions.
Multiple offers of admission? You’ll need strong criteria to make the best decision you can – and a plan for how you’ll celebrate and use your time before school starts to set yourself up for success.
Are you on a waitlist or receiving further consideration? We’ll be in your corner until you receive the final word, making all steps possible to achieve your desired result.
B-school and beyond
We LOVE hearing from clients – no matter how long it may have been!
One of our greatest metrics of success is our ongoing relationships with MBA and EMBA coaching clients years, or even decades, after we’ve worked together on successful admissions campaigns.
Follow-up 1:1 and team coaching is available any time after our MBA/EMBA-related work concludes. We’re here for you.
TESTIMONIALS
What clients are saying
Transformation before my MBA
Many people say the MBA is transformative. My transformation started over a year before the first MBA class: that is when I started working together with Jessica. I am a re-applicant and my essays pre- and post-Jessica are simply incomparable. But it is not only my essays and my overall application, but also I changed thanks to her guidance and mentoring. She is very fast, clear and candid. I also had the chance to meet her in person, she is extremely nice. She can also give great mental support whenever I felt insecure or started to panic over a tiny detail in my application. Both my GPA and my GMAT are way below average, yet I made it to a top M7 school.
The best help I never thought I needed!
Maybe you’re like me and think you don’t need a consultant. Maybe you just peruse on P&Q for the school insights. Maybe you think your application is strong enough, or you’re writing is perfect, or you don’t need the support. Do yourself a favor and reach out for a chat with Jessica. You’ll realize right away how wrong you were! I never thought I was a candidate that would benefit from a consultant, and always felt that my money would be better spent on something else. However, after underestimating the applications and failing to be accepted anywhere, I started to think about reaching out to find a consultant on my wavelength. I found exactly that in Jessica.
Differentiated me from the IB/PE pack
Jessica was extremely helpful throughout the entire application process – from initial brainstorming to refining essays and interview prep. She took the time upfront to thoroughly understand my background and how an MBA would help me accomplish my goals, focusing on crafting a cohesive story that would help differentiate me from others with similar careers (esp. relevant coming from an investment banking and private equity background). I’d recommend anyone currently contemplating using a consultant to consider working with Jessica… she was incredibly responsive, insightful and knowledgeable – and always willing to offer her advice.
FAQs
What kinds of clients do you work with? What schools do you specialize in?
We see the two primary challenges of MBA/EMBA applicants as credibility (will you be successful in your program?) and differentiation (will you add uniquely to the school community?)
We work with applicants from classically ‘traditional’ backgrounds (e.g., finance, consulting) to distill and present your differentiation. We work with ‘non-traditional’ backgrounds to establish credibility beyond question. We have years of experience with, success with, and love for you all :)
Our ‘sweet spot’ for target schools is programs typically ranked in the Top 10 or Top 20 in the major outlets you might consult. If you’re looking at a different pool, though, let’s talk. This process is not one-size-fits all.
When should I start working on my applications?
To maximize the value of your consultation, and allow optimal time to cultivate your candidacy along with your applications, we recommend starting work with us at least 2-3 months in advance of your selected deadlines.
That said: we know life isn’t always optimal! Capacity permitting, we will work with you on more compressed timeframes if needed. A “rush fee” may apply in some circumstances.
What’s your working style? How do you structure engagements?
Our work relies on responsiveness, candor, flexibility, and mutual respect. When we’re working well together, it should feel like a great workout – challenging, but not overwhelming, with the cumulative benefits (and the endorphins!) apparent.
We’ll begin the engagement with one or two in-depth calls (depending on needs and schedule) to learn about YOU – your own story and “why.” From there, at baseline we’ll have a standing weekly check-in to address any issues. The bulk of our communication in between will be via email.
Most importantly: we’ll pay attention to the quality of our ongoing collaboration along with the development of your candidacy, and course-correct and optimize as needed. This is a partnership. It takes two! (Please note: hourly engagements are task-focused and client-directed, and will likely differ from this description.)
Can I work with you on just one school? Do you offer hourly services?
Yes to both. We can customize packages to include the number of schools you’re targeting, time and capacity permitting. Hourly services are available for clients seeking very targeted support (e.g., review of document drafts; standalone mock interviews, etc.)
If we are working on full candidacy development, packaged services tend to be more cost-effective for most clients.
Can you help me with GMAT/GRE/Executive Assessment prep?
We can point you towards online and self-study resources that clients have used successfully in the past. If you’d prefer 1:1 test-specific coaching (including tutoring and test selection), we can refer you to specialized colleagues. 1:1 test-specific coaching is not included in our pricing.
What are my chances of admission to my top-choice schools? What’s your success rate?
We are committed to providing candid feedback on our understanding of whether a school is a stronger chance, a reach, or a “Hail Mary,” based on the information you provide and our best understanding of the admissions climate. It’s essential to our work together that we develop a shared understanding of your position, and proceed accordingly.
We are motivated to achieve the best possible results with you! So we strive to set ambitious and achievable targets together. We believe any individual admissions decision is not possible to predict (more on that here.) We’ve found that this approach consistently yields results.
What is your pricing structure?
We think you’ll find our costs on par with many established US-based consultants. We’ll work together to establish the right package of services for you.
Payment plans are available on request for a small surcharge.
I’m ready to get started! What’s the next step?
Click here to send us a query message. We’ll reply ASAP and get the ball rolling.
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