Pamela J.
5.0
2023 Poets and Quants Ranked Best Global MBA Admissions Coaches, CBS MBA
Studied at Columbia Business School
Works at The Jaffe Advantage
Not currently taking new clients
Pamela can still be messaged
I only offer comprehensive packages for MBA candidates. Exceptions are made for mock interviews and pre-submission evaluations which may be purchased by the hour. I also offer hourly services for non-MBA Masters degrees with a five hour hour minimum purchase. I have a few spaces left for Round Two. I am not accepting Round Three / Deferred applicants.
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Pamela's MBA Qualifications
Coaches professionally
150+ people coached for MBA
Open to working with clients outside the U.S.
Pamela has helpe clients get into these schools:
-Coached 160+ paid clients (at professional, market rates) through the MBA admissions process -Have placed multiple clients at each of the Top 25 US schools (~75% M7; ~95% M7 + S7; ~99% Top 25), as well as European schools (INSEAD, LBS, IESE, Oxford, Cambridge) -Accepted as member of AIGAC (Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultations) - an international organization that monitors ethics in admissions consulting and collaborates with Admissions Directors to discuss ideas and trends -Attend annual AIGAC Conference to network, learn about schools, and discuss admissions trends. Attended by AdCom Directors at most top US / European Schools as well as the CEO and / or head consultant(s) at many of the large, well-known firms -Worked at mbaMission for five years -Experience consulting to a range of candidates both from traditional feeder fields (e.g. Investment Banking, Consulting) to non-traditional fields (e.g. fitness coach, independent film director) -Strong business acumen with strategy experience at multiple Fortune 500 companies -Strong informal network of the top solo MBA consultants globally
Pamela can help with:
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Editing
Secondary Review
Recommendations
Ding Analysis
School Selection
Application Strategy
Interviews
Essays
Resume
Waitlist Strategy
About Pamela
I am a professional MBA Admissions Consultant and founder of The Jaffe Advantage, a global, full-service MBA advisory. Over the past fourteen years, I've helped hundreds of applicants gain admission to the top US and European MBA programs - including all top 20 US schools (heavily weighted to the M7), as well as INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Oxford, and Cambridge. As a member of AIGAC (Association of Graduate Admissions Consultants) I have relationships with Admissions Officers at all top programs. I attend the annual AIGAC conference (hosted by Columbia this past May) - where the top professional consultants and Admissions Directors come together to brainstorm and learn from one another. You can check out my full set of reviews on Poets & Quants (P&Q). https://poetsandquants.com/consultant/pamela-jaffe/. Per P&Q guidelines, all reviews were written by Clients who worked with me through their entire application journey, were submitted after the receipt of a decision, and have been independently verified by Poets and Quants.. I' graduated from Columbia Business School graduate in 2006 and have a background in strategy and marketing. I've worked for traditional consultancies, at Fortune 500 companies, and as an independent contractor. I have also worked / lived in Paris and Singapore. I started my MBA coaching journey in 2010 as a part-time consultant at mbaMission and immediately found my passion. As an MBA consultant I realized I could make a difference. I could help one person achieve their dream – something that is increasingly hard to do in the corporate world. In 2014 I left mbaMission and struck out on my own. While the training I received was invaluable, my entrepreneurial spirit started to kick-in. I had the training; now I wanted to help others in my own way. I am a strong believer in the partnership model and - with a few exceptions - only offer comprehensive packages. I focus on the end-to-end process - from developing your story and helping define your goals to perfecting your interviewing skills. My combined background in MBA coaching and professional services has provided me the tools to help you develop both your personal and professional narrative.
Why do I coach?
It was another day at work. As I sat in yet another gray, windowless, Fortune 500 conference room reviewing the 79th version of the deck, I sighed and looked around at my colleagues. Was I the only one who just didn’t care? Was I the only one who was pretty sure this project was never going to see the light of day? Was I the only one who really didn’t think it mattered if the arrow was on the left or the right side of the page? Did my colleagues really mean it when they threw around phrases around like: “What keeps you awake at night?” Seriously? This keeps you awake at night? I thought to my evening ahead. I needed to leave the office by 6:30 as I had a 7:15 pm call with Rebecca—one of my admissions clients—to prepare her for her Round 1 GSB interview, followed by an 8:30 call with Andrew to discuss his story and goals for Round 2. I smiled. This was the work I was looking forward to doing. This was the work I enjoyed. This was the work where I could make a difference. In six months I could help a candidate make their dream come true. Business schools love to throw around the word “impact” but THIS—my part-time job—was the place where I was making true impact. This was the place where I was changing people’s lives. This was the place where I looked forward to receiving that all important email from a Client that read: “We did it! I’m going to Wharton.” I realized I needed a change. Now I don’t mean to knock the business world. Great corporate leaders are needed to run major companies – companies that create life-changing products and services. Without a need for these leaders, business schools wouldn’t even exist. Yet I realized that the job I loved was helping others gain the credentials to become these leaders. I wasn’t meant to be one. I’m just I’m better suited to the world of coaching. I knew I needed to turn my part-time job into a full-time career. My two years at Columbia Business School were probably the best two of my life. I don’t regret my time in corporate America, either, because it was vital to making my dream of being an admissions consultant come true. My twenty years in the corporate sector make me a better consultant. It’s the combination of my passion / experience in admissions, as well as my time in corporate America, that makes me a great coach. I have worked in some capacity as an admissions coach for 11 years. However, I will never tire of receiving that email—“I got in!”—as I nervously drum my fingers at 12:02 waiting for the HBS decisions to come out. That feeling, that feeling of seeing someone else succeed, of watching someone else’s dreams come true—that’s why I coach. — Interested in working together on your MBA application? Click here for my Leland coaching profile.
Work Experience
Founder
The Jaffe Advantage
May 2014 - Present
Assistant VP Marketing
MetLife
July 2017 - January 2019
Oversaw Global Marketing Planning
Consultant
Self Employed
September 2013 - July 2017
Independent strategy consultant. Worked for companies including: Pfizer, IBM, Dow Jones, and GLG
Senior Consultant
mbaMission
May 2010 - April 2014
Managing Consultant
IBM
October 2011 - August 2013
Internal Strategy and Operations Consultant to IBM Executives
Finance and Strategy Manager
WW International
August 2009 - August 2011
Senior Consultant
BearingPoint
August 2006 - January 2009
Strategy and operations consultant
Pamela was also given offers to work at
N/A - I am a professional MBA Admissions Consultant
Education
Smith College
BA, Economics
Columbia Business School
MBA
2004 - 2006
Pamela was also personally admitted to
INSEAD
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)
Duke's Fuqua School of Business
NYU Stern School of Business
40 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Pamela has helpe clients get into these schools: