Welcome to Ask Crimson

Have a question about any aspect of education? Need answers? You’re in the right place - we have assembled a world-class network of experts, students and mentors who have been in your shoes and they are all at your fingertips.

Ask for advice?

website_user
High School Insights
High School (New Zealand)
St Peter's vs King’s college
Hi I saw that St Peter’s college is the only boy’s school that made top10 in their rankings, but been seeing great reviews on King’s college. I am intetested in either NCEA or Cambridg....

0 Likes

1 Replies

11 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
Is there any way I could significantly improve my chances of admission at an IVY?
I got a 1460 on the Digital SAT practice for my first shot. Looking forward to finish 12 AP courses by the time I graduate. Can I significantly improve my chances of admission at an IVY? Can you tell ...

0 Likes

1 Replies

52 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
What is the PSAT?
Is the PSAT something that you should consider taking as an international student and if so how do you take it?

0 Likes

1 Replies

51 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
Extracurricular Activities
business X engineering
Hi, I’m a 9th grader, I want to own a business so I plan to get into entrepreneurship as much as I can this summer where I will try to find a problem to solve in engineering (I am not sure what kind ...

0 Likes

1 Replies

64 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
Can I apply to universities if I am taking the O-level?
I don’t care if I need to be homeschooled for SAT, e.t.c

0 Likes

1 Replies

97 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Standardised Testing
Taking another entrance exam such as the TOEFL even after taking the SAT.
I recently took the SAT in South Africa and wanted to enquire if I have to take any other test besides the SAT.I attended Tshwane Christian School in Pretoria in which I had taken English as a Home La...

0 Likes

2 Replies

172 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Extracurricular Activities
Is putting Sport on your college application worth it if you are not good enough to get recruited?
Im a year 12 student currently at high school in New Zealand. I play football (soccer) and futsal, however only for the 2XI teams, meaning that I would not be good enough to get recruited for college ...

0 Likes

2 Replies

166 Views

a.macdonald
UK University Admissions
U.K. Applications
is there any way to apply for a uk university besides UCAS?
excluding foundation programmes, wherein you’re guaranteed a place, but something like early action for US universities, where you can apply first with your credentials and get a conditional offer bef...

0 Likes

2 Replies

221 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
What should i do in the next 4 years to be able to get into and Ivy?
I am a freshman in brazillian high school and I have currently started my journey into the ivy league world. I have completed the cambridge english proficiency tests and have a current gpa of 3.7. I w...

0 Likes

1 Replies

220 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Academics / Rankings / GPA
Can I chose what NCEA credits to put on my college application?
I am currently a year 12 student at high school in New Zealand, and I passed NCEA Level 1 with excellence. However, I got 98 credits of 80 to pass, and 8 of these credits were merit, bringing my gpa d...

0 Likes

2 Replies

262 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Extracurricular Activities

0 Likes

2 Replies

297 Views

m.donald
UK University Admissions
Oxford & Cambridge
Am I too late?
An Aussie Year 11 student here, with hopes of being accepted into Cambridge University. Am I too late to start with Crimson, as I only have a little time left before Uni and also because I have virtua...

0 Likes

2 Replies

299 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
University Selection/Admission

0 Likes

1 Replies

313 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
IB and AP programs
I want to try for an Ivy League University and I’m in grade 9 in Australia. I have looked into schools that offer IB and/or AP programs and they are either really far away or too expensive for my fami...

0 Likes

1 Replies

311 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
Mathematics
Hi I’m a grade 12 student and I would like to ask if students during mathematics Literacy can study abroad?

0 Likes

1 Replies

344 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
Extracurricular Activities
International Sports
Would I; considering I move over to USA from Australia. Be able to compete in D1 college sports and then move on to MLS draft?

0 Likes

1 Replies

334 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
IGCSE choices
Considering the fact that I am aiming for Ivy Leagues, should I take triple science for IGCSE even if they do not correspond with my intended degree (law) or drop Physics and take Chemistry, Biology &...

0 Likes

1 Replies

366 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
What can I do
I’m in grade 10 now. My grades are not very good but I would like to study in Harvard/ MIT/ Stanford/ Caltech… I’m working very hard to boost my grades now. Do I still stand a great chance to get into...

0 Likes

1 Replies

387 Views

a.macdonald
UK University Admissions
Oxford & Cambridge
Apply for Oxford and Cambridge for 2023 entry
Can we still apply for Oxford or Cambridge now to enter this year even though website shows application close last year Oct?

0 Likes

2 Replies

616 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
ap exams in nz
where and how can I take ap exams in New Zealand?

0 Likes

2 Replies

524 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions

0 Likes

2 Replies

547 Views

a.macdonald
High School Insights
High School (Australia)
General questions about applying for US schools from Australia
Hi, I’m in Australia and I know I need to take the SATs to apply for American schools, but how does the GPA work? I’m currently a grade 9, I’ve been getting straight As and well aboves (my state chang...

0 Likes

2 Replies

483 Views

a.macdonald
Other
Are summer programs helpful?
Hi there, I’m Victoria and I’m a 10th grade student from Malaysia. I wanted to know about whether participating in summer programs led by prestigious universities would help me in my future college/un...

0 Likes

2 Replies

480 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Miscellaneous Questions
Can I do a conjoint degree - Music and Biomed - at an Ivy League university in the U.S.?
I want to do Biomed as I enjoy learning about Biology at school, and find that it would fit well with me (also a good paying job haha). But I also have a big passion for music, and was largely involve...

0 Likes

2 Replies

453 Views

website_user
Careers Insights
Investment Banking
University of Bocconi vs UCLA
Hi, I am confused about whether to go to Bocconi (60 L for 4 years) or UCLA ( 2.5cr for 4 years). While my parents can fund both, I would prefer not to drain too much of their money. If I go to UCLA t...

0 Likes

1 Replies

430 Views

website_user
US College Admissions
Academics / Rankings / GPA
In the Singaporean context for IB, how would my chances be if I did not receive straight grade6 and 7 for year 5
From an international school, our papers are generally harder than IB ones. Received 2 grade 5s and 1 grade 4 for MYE and 3 grade 5s and 1 grade 4 for EOY. I would place my score at roughly 60/70th pe...

0 Likes

1 Replies

421 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Ivy League admissions
Hi, I am a junior in high school and have excellent grades in all my classes. However, I dont have too many extracurriculars. Is it necessary to have extracurriculars for admission to an Ivy League? W...

0 Likes

2 Replies

839 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Do I have the chance?
I’m currently a grade 11 student, so there is less than 9 months until the ED1 deadline. I don’t have such that a good ECs or honors. Do I have the chance to enhance my application in that time and go...

0 Likes

2 Replies

581 Views

m.donald
UK University Admissions
How does the different school year work?
I live in Australia and the school year is different to the ones in the US and the Uk, so how does that work in terms of applications and stuff? Because my grades come out at different times and the w...

0 Likes

2 Replies

492 Views

a.macdonald
US College Admissions
Extracurricular Activities
How many extracurriculars do you need to take to gain acceptance to an Ivy League?
Currently I compete in swimming at a regional level and take music lessons, but I have heard the threshold for extracurriculars is quite high as an international student.

0 Likes

2 Replies

599 Views

Some of Our Experts

  • Jamie Beaton
    Jamie Beaton

    Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Oxford

  • Fangzhou Jiang
    Fangzhou Jiang

    Stanford University, Australian National University

  • Li Li Tan
    Li Li Tan

    University of Oxford, 
University of Cambridge

  • Carolina Lyrio
    Carolina Lyrio

    Duke University

Our network of over 200 leading admission experts love to support students get into their dream schools... So ask away!

US COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CALCULATOR

Find a university that best suits you!

We can provide you with a list of a recommended universities.

Enter your score

Sat Selectedact resting

1000

1600

Community Guidelines

Golden Rule’s of Ask Crimson

  1. Be civil and respectful. Always be nice and avoid posting spam.
  2. Tell us a little about yourself. The description field is a great place to include some background information. To help our strategists or other contributors give valuable answers it helps to have some context.
  3. Don’t be shy! Our strategists and contributors are leading experts in college admissions that love to help students achieve their goals. So if you’re wanting to deepen your knowledge, ask a question here.

Get into your dream university. Speak with an advisor today.