Meet Your Future Strategists
Guiding You to The World’s Top Universities
Going to top universities means competing globally. Our strategists are all graduates from top universities, bringing insider insight into what Ivy League and Oxbridge committees truly value and how Indonesian students can position themselves to stand out.
Matthew Ding
Strategy Consultant, Brown & Oxford Grad
Matthew is a graduate of Brown, where he earned dual degrees in Economics and Public Health. He later completed his Master’s in Comparative Social Policy with Honors at Oxford. During his time at Brown, he also served as an International Orientation Mentor, supporting students as they transitioned into university life. Matthew has since guided international students to successful admissions at top institutions including UPenn, Columbia, Princeton, Williams, Dartmouth, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Patrick Hao
Former Oxford Admissions Officer
Patrick is a UK admissions expert specializing in Oxbridge, with experience supporting students across Europe and Asia. He earned his BA in History and MPhil in International Relations from Oxford, and is currently a DPhil candidate in Global & Imperial History at Oxford. He has helped students gain offers from Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, King's College London, and Durham.
Tak Pongpichit
Strategy Consultant, Cambridge & NUS Grad
Tak graduated from Cambridge with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Natural Sciences, specializing in Astrophysics. He later completed his PhD in Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore, and has conducted research in exoplanetary science at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand. His students have gone on to receive offers from top institutions including Cambridge, University College London, and University of New South Wales, among others.
Matthew Ding
Strategy Consultant, Brown & Oxford Grad
Matthew is a graduate of Brown, where he earned dual degrees in Economics and Public Health. He later completed his Master’s in Comparative Social Policy with Honors at Oxford. During his time at Brown, he also served as an International Orientation Mentor, supporting students as they transitioned into university life. Matthew has since guided international students to successful admissions at top institutions including UPenn, Columbia, Princeton, Williams, Dartmouth, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Patrick Hao
Former Oxford Admissions Officer
Patrick is a UK admissions expert specializing in Oxbridge, with experience supporting students across Europe and Asia. He earned his BA in History and MPhil in International Relations from Oxford, and is currently a DPhil candidate in Global & Imperial History at Oxford. He has helped students gain offers from Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, King's College London, and Durham.
Tak Pongpichit
Strategy Consultant, Cambridge & NUS Grad
Tak graduated from Cambridge with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Natural Sciences, specializing in Astrophysics. He later completed his PhD in Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore, and has conducted research in exoplanetary science at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand. His students have gone on to receive offers from top institutions including Cambridge, University College London, and University of New South Wales, among others.
What an Admissions Strategist Actually Does
A great admissions strategist is more than an advisor, they are the architect behind your entire application strategy. They help define your academic direction, shape your positioning, and ensure every choice, from subjects to activities to essays, aligns with a clear long-term goal. Our strategist will help you:
01
Map out high school with purpose—choosing courses, shaping extracurriculars, picking research projects, and setting long-term goals early.
02
Go beyond rankings. Identify schools that fit academically, socially, and financially—with a smart mix of reach, target, and safety options.
03
Guide every piece of the application—essays, recommendations, testing, and interviews—so each works together to tell a compelling story.
04
Turn passions into standout achievements with activities that align with the student’s interests and ambitions.
05
Find and apply for competitive programs (often with early deadlines) that strengthen the student’s academic narrative.
06
Keep everything on track with regular check-ins, clear timelines, and a structured plan—reducing stress for students and parents alike.
Ready to Start Your Journey to Your Dream University?
For Indonesian families of international students grade 9-11, this is the perfect chance for you to take that first step of your admissions journey. Fill out the form below and our Academic Advisor will be in touch with you for your private consultation!
Why Crimson?
A Team of Specialists—Not Just One Counselor
At Crimson, you don’t rely on a single advisor for every aspect of your application. Instead, you get a dedicated team—from essay mentors and extracurricular strategists to interview coaches—each a specialist in their field, all working together to maximize your success.
Numbers Don't Lie.
Proven Success. Unmatched Results.
7x
Our students are 7x more likely to get into the Ivy League and Top 15 Universities.
Total Offers to the Ivy League
US & UK University Acceptance Rates
| Top Universities | General Admit Rate | Crimson Student Admit Rate |
| Harvard | 3.7% | 20% |
| Oxbridge | 8.3% | 35.7% |
| Stanford | 3.6% | 30.8% |
| Imperial | 16% | 49.1% |
| Columbia | 4.3% | 32.7% |
| UPenn | 5.4% | 39.7% |
| Princeton | 4.4% | 28.3% |
| MIT | 4.5% | 26.1% |
98%
Of our students are admitted to at least 1 of their Top 5 University choices.
They Got In.
You Can Too.
Accepted to
Cambridge
Stella L.
Medicine
“Victoria was my strategist and helped me think about the steps I needed to take to make a more well-rounded portfolio. Some of the advice she gave was to reflect on the experiences I’d actually undergone.”
“Victoria was my strategist and helped me think about the steps I needed to take to make a more well-rounded portfolio. Some of the advice she gave was to reflect on the experiences I’d actually undergone.”
Stella L.
Accepted to
Dartmouth
Ansh O.
Undecided
“I applied to university three times — twice on my own. With Crimson, I finally got into the Ivy League”
“I applied to university three times — twice on my own. With Crimson, I finally got into the Ivy League”
Ansh O.
Accepted to
UCLA
Jin T.
Engineering
“Jennifer was my essay mentor and she was just great. Whether sparking new ideas during the brainstorming process or looking over my finished draft for redundant words and ideas, she clarified the focus needed for specific essay prompts.”
“Jennifer was my essay mentor and she was just great. Whether sparking new ideas during the brainstorming process or looking over my finished draft for redundant words and ideas, she clarified the focus needed for specific essay prompts.”
Jin T.
Accepted to
Cambridge
Aloysius L.
Economics
“Patrick did a great job helping me choose which Cambridge college to apply to. He provided useful stats on acceptance rates for mature colleges and gave detailed info to help me maximise my chances. ”
“Patrick did a great job helping me choose which Cambridge college to apply to. He provided useful stats on acceptance rates for mature colleges and gave detailed info to help me maximise my chances. ”
Aloysius L.
Accepted to
Cornell
Alex R.
Undecided
“George was my Strategist. He helped curate a college list that would help with my ambitions as a scholar, athlete, and overall person. Above all, however, he wanted to make my dreams a reality and encouraged me. ”
“George was my Strategist. He helped curate a college list that would help with my ambitions as a scholar, athlete, and overall person. Above all, however, he wanted to make my dreams a reality and encouraged me. ”
Alex R.
Accepted to
UChicago
Ruhaan T.
Economics
“Through the process of essay writing, I realised just how valuable it was. Receiving clear, unbiased feedback on my essays helped me see how much I needed to improve in order to convey my points effectively.”
“Through the process of essay writing, I realised just how valuable it was. Receiving clear, unbiased feedback on my essays helped me see how much I needed to improve in order to convey my points effectively.”
Ruhaan T.
Accepted to
John Hopkins
Ziyan L.
Medicine
“The best part about working with Crimson was how incredibly knowledgeable everyone on the team was. It gave me a lot of confidence during the application process.”
“The best part about working with Crimson was how incredibly knowledgeable everyone on the team was. It gave me a lot of confidence during the application process.”
Ziyan L.