- College Strategy
- Academics
- Essays
- Capstone Development
- Research Projects
- Honors & Awards
- Work Experience
“ With top US universities turning away thousands of academically qualified students each year, it’s more important than ever to craft an application that truly stands out.”
Sarah T., Platinum Strategy Consultant & Former Harvard Interviewer
98%
of Crimson students gain admission to one of their top 5 US university choices.
7x
Students working with Crimson are 7x more likely to gain admission to the Ivy League and other top US universities.
University Strategy
Even top Singapore students face intense competition when applying to US universities. Strong grades and extracurriculars alone are no longer enough. Students need the right mix of reach, match, and safety schools, along with a cohesive, compelling application. Our expert consultants help build standout profiles that shine.
Crafting a standout application theme.
Developing a strategic and balanced university list.
Maximising leadership and extracurricular achievements.
Managing every part of the application timeline and process.
Planning university applications around NS for male students.
Optimising application timing with Singapore’s academic calendar.
“When I applied on my own, there was a narrative, but it wasn’t very concise or targeted, and it didn’t fully include everything I had done—so many things felt like missing pieces. But with Kayla, my strategist, and Aru, my essay mentor, they helped make it a complete, cohesive package.”
Immanuel L., Accepted to Northwestern University, Class of 2029
Academics & Test Prep
The Challenge
Top US universities place strong emphasis on academic results. Even with test-optional policies, schools like MIT, Stanford, and the Ivy League still expect outstanding standardised test scores and school grades, especially from international students, including those from Singapore.
“The average IB score for Ivy League admits last year was between 43 and 45, or straight As for A-Level students. While students need a wide range of achievement, academics are a cornerstone of the application process.”
Arkesh P., Harvard and Cambridge graduate, Crimson COO
How We Help
Crimson’s academic tutoring and test prep combine strategy, structure, and results to give your child an advantage in the high-stakes testing environment.
01
Expert Tutoring
Get 1:1 tutoring with top 1% SAT/ACT coaches and experts in A-Level, IB, and AP subjects.
02
Personalised Prep
Get SAT/ACT and subject strategies tailored to your goals, with performance tracking.
03
Targeted Practice
Study smarter with adaptive tools and mock exams to track progress and boost your scores.
Accepted to
Duke
Name
Allie B.
“ I used to get really frustrated doing SAT practice tests, especially with a full school workload. But after joining Crimson, my tutor helped me focus on the right techniques. I know I wouldn’t have done as well without her — she helped boost my score by 90 points, and I’m so grateful. ”
Aly B., Accepted early to Duke University
Essays & Personal Statements
“ When admissions officers debate over who gets in, it's often the essay that makes the difference.”
Kimberley L., Former Stanford Admissions Officer
The Challenge
Your child’s essays are their one chance to speak directly to admissions officers, showcasing their personality, values, and perspective.
But many Singapore students, accustomed to academic and structured writing, struggle to choose the right topic, craft a compelling narrative, and refine their essays to truly stand out.
How We Help
Our team of essay mentors, including published authors and Emmy Award-winning journalists, work one-on-one with students to help them craft authentic, impactful essays that capture who they are.
We support students with:
01
Brainstorming essay topics that reflect personality, values, and vision.
02
Creating a cohesive narrative that aligns with their application theme.
03
Polishing tone, structure, and clarity for maximum impact.
04
Making sure each essay resonates with US admissions officers.
“What I really struggled with was crafting good essays. Crimson really helped me narrow down what I wanted to show about myself through my essays and helped me identify the best parts of myself to showcase to the Admissions Committee.”
Aedan G., Accepted to Columbia University
Extracurricular Capstone Project
The Challenge
Students who stand out don’t just tick boxes; they create real-world impact. Yet many Singapore students stick to cookie-cutter CCAs and extracurriculars and struggle to turn their passions into unique projects that impress top US universities.
“There are 100,000 high schools worldwide. Imagine if every valedictorian applied to Ivy+ schools, there still wouldn’t be enough spots. To stand out for a Top 25 university, students need more. That’s where the capstone comes in.”
Sonam A., Former Duke Admissions Officer
How We Help
Our Extracurricular Capstone Consultants help bring high-impact ideas to life and position them strategically in your child’s application. We guide your child through:
Define the Perfect Project
We help students clarify their narrative, then brainstorm project ideas that align. Our experts guide them toward projects that are meaningful, achievable, and built to stand out in top university admissions.
Develop a Project Plan
We help students build a step-by-step plan with clear milestones and goals. Each phase is designed to be actionable, and strategically aligned with their university admissions timeline.
Scale Impact
We help students expand their project’s reach from local initiatives to regional, national or international platforms. The result is real-world impact that highlights leadership and ambition.
Track Results
We help students track project outcomes and distil them into a concise, strategic narrative within the application — showcasing growth, leadership, and real impact.
Successful Student Capstones
Crimson students have launched initiatives that earned them acceptances at Stanford, Princeton, Yale, and more. Beyond strengthening their application, a capstone builds skills like problem-solving and adaptability — qualities top universities want.
Capstone Success
Daniel T.
Singapore
Fractional Carbon Credit
Stanford & Brown
Daniel researched carbon offsetting barriers and built a fractional credit marketplace. He partnered globally, presented internationally, and earned media coverage.
Capstone Success
Daniel T.
Singapore
Fractional Carbon Credit
Stanford & Brown
Daniel researched carbon offsetting barriers and built a fractional credit marketplace. He partnered globally, presented internationally, and earned media coverage.
Capstone Success
Lisa R.
Singapore
Homemade Kimbap
University of Chicago
Lisa launched an allergy-friendly kimbap business on campus, selling 320+ units and donating over $600 in profits to a local food bank.
Capstone Success
Sophie J.
England
Academic Research Club
Caltech, Cornell & UPenn
Created an academic research club, an online platform to connect students to research opportunities and other students interested in research.
Daniel T.
Daniel researched carbon offsetting barriers and built a fractional credit marketplace. He partnered globally, presented internationally, and earned media coverage.
Lisa R.
Lisa launched an allergy-friendly kimbap business on campus, selling 320+ units and donating over $600 in profits to a local food bank.
Sophie J.
Created an academic research club, an online platform to connect students to research opportunities and other students interested in research.
Capstone Success
Daniel T.
Singapore
Fractional Carbon Credit
Stanford & Brown
Daniel researched carbon offsetting barriers and built a fractional credit marketplace. He partnered globally, presented internationally, and earned media coverage.
Capstone Success
Lisa R.
Singapore
Homemade Kimbap
University of Chicago
Lisa launched an allergy-friendly kimbap business on campus, selling 320+ units and donating over $600 in profits to a local food bank.
Capstone Success
Sophie J.
England
Academic Research Club
Caltech, Cornell & UPenn
Created an academic research club, an online platform to connect students to research opportunities and other students interested in research.
Research Projects
The Challenge
Top US universities, including Columbia, Yale, and Princeton, now allow students to submit independent research as part of their application. However, many Singapore students face challenges accessing the right mentors and publishing opportunities both locally and globally. Without this support, it’s harder to produce standout research that sets an application apart.
“We’re seeing more and more top universities place real weight on students who have done meaningful research in high school. It’s one of the clearest ways a student can show they’re ready for the academic rigour of a top school.”
Alex O., Platinum Strategy Consultant
How We Help
Crimson connects students with world-class faculty and PhD-level consultants from elite universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. From idea to publication, we guide students every step of the way.
01
Research Development
Develop a research paper in their area of interest.
02
Mentorship
Receive expert guidance on research methods and academic writing.
03
Publish & Present
Get your work in front of real audiences — through journals or conferences.
04
University Credit
Earn US university credit through an accredited programme.
Successful Student Research Papers
Predictive Analysis of Targeted Cellular Dynamics in Visual Working Memory Performance
Published in Journal of Student Research Accepted to Stanford University
Student
Arya K.
From Singapore, Stanford Class of 2028
Mentor
Nora I.
Crimson Indigo Mentor
Outcome
Arya investigates how neural activity relates to behavioural performance on visual working memory (VWM) tasks.
Quantitative Analysis of Throughput, System Dynamics, and Energy Utilisation Across Blockchain Architectures
Published in ICoABCD Accepted to Stanford
Student
Danny G.
From Singapore, Stanford Class of 2029
Mentor
Steven T.
Data Science Manager at Spotify
Outcome
Discovered that power use is driven by protocol design, not by lower network activity.
Assessing Traditional Trend Strategies in High-Volatility Markets
Published in Journal of Student Research (JSR) Accepted to Carnegie Mellon
Student
Amber T.
From Singapore, Carnegie Mellon Class of 2027
Mentor
Eric S.
Associate Professor at Morgan State University
Outcome
Amber examines the profitability of trend-following strategies applied to the S&P 500 fund over the last decade.
Predictive Analysis of Targeted Cellular Dynamics in Visual Working Memory Performance
Published in Journal of Student Research Accepted to Stanford University
Student
Arya K.
From Singapore, Stanford Class of 2028
Mentor
Nora I.
Crimson Indigo Mentor
Outcome
Arya investigates how neural activity relates to behavioural performance on visual working memory (VWM) tasks.
Quantitative Analysis of Throughput, System Dynamics, and Energy Utilisation Across Blockchain Architectures
Published in ICoABCD Accepted to Stanford
Student
Danny G.
From Singapore, Stanford Class of 2029
Mentor
Steven T.
Data Science Manager at Spotify
Outcome
Discovered that power use is driven by protocol design, not by lower network activity.
Assessing Traditional Trend Strategies in High-Volatility Markets
Published in Journal of Student Research (JSR) Accepted to Carnegie Mellon
Student
Amber T.
From Singapore, Carnegie Mellon Class of 2027
Mentor
Eric S.
Associate Professor at Morgan State University
Outcome
Amber examines the profitability of trend-following strategies applied to the S&P 500 fund over the last decade.
Predictive Analysis of Targeted Cellular Dynamics in Visual Working Memory Performance
Published in Journal of Student Research Accepted to Stanford University
Student
Arya K.
From Singapore, Stanford Class of 2028
Mentor
Nora I.
Crimson Indigo Mentor
Outcome
Arya investigates how neural activity relates to behavioural performance on visual working memory (VWM) tasks.
Quantitative Analysis of Throughput, System Dynamics, and Energy Utilisation Across Blockchain Architectures
Published in ICoABCD Accepted to Stanford
Student
Danny G.
From Singapore, Stanford Class of 2029
Mentor
Steven T.
Data Science Manager at Spotify
Outcome
Discovered that power use is driven by protocol design, not by lower network activity.
Assessing Traditional Trend Strategies in High-Volatility Markets
Published in Journal of Student Research (JSR) Accepted to Carnegie Mellon
Student
Amber T.
From Singapore, Carnegie Mellon Class of 2027
Mentor
Eric S.
Associate Professor at Morgan State University
Outcome
Amber examines the profitability of trend-following strategies applied to the S&P 500 fund over the last decade.
Competitions and Awards
The Challenge
Recognition through competitions distinguishes your child in a competitive applicant pool and is a key factor for admissions officers. In 2024, 90% of Crimson’s Ivy League admits had at least five elite honours, with 80% from top international competitions. Many Singapore students struggle to identify the right competitions and balance the effort needed to win them alongside school commitments.
How We Help
Crimson students gain access to the world’s only comprehensive awards training programme, guiding them to claim the elite competitions and awards top universities expect. Your child gets:
01
Personalised competition strategy to go after the best awards for their profile.
02
1:1 mentorship from past winners and judges.
03
Expert coaching on skill-building and submission strategies.
04
Judges’ Panel Review for feedback before final submission.
John Locke Institute Essay Competition
Over 100 Crimson students were shortlisted in 2024, including over 30 Distinctions and a student who placed in the global top 3, out of over 34,000 global participants.
The Earth Prize
Two from the global top 15 in the 2024 edition of this sustainability and innovation competition were Crimson students, out of over 6000 global participants.
Society for Science Regeneron ISEF
Three Crimson students were Finalists or Grand Awardess in Regeneron ISEF 2023, out of over 6+ million participants across all ISEF-affiliated science fairs.
Our Students' Success
Elijah S.
From SingaporeHarvard, Princeton, Brown, Duke
Global Finalist (Top 3%) at an international public policy debate competition. 2x Global Finalist for the John Locke Institute Essay Competition. Global Finalist (Top 500 out of 14,000) in the Rise for the World competition.
Jun J.
From SingaporeColumbia, Brown, UC Berkeley
Finalist at a major international science and engineering fair. Awarded Gold at the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair.
Jasmine P.
From SingaporeDuke, UW, NYU, Tufts
Earned Silver and Bronze in the UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge. Achieved 2× Gold in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematics Challenge. Winner (Coding) at a U18 Hackathon; also recognised as a Finalist in a previous edition.
Elijah S.
From SingaporeHarvard, Princeton, Brown, Duke
Global Finalist (Top 3%) at an international public policy debate competition. 2x Global Finalist for the John Locke Institute Essay Competition. Global Finalist (Top 500 out of 14,000) in the Rise for the World competition.
Jun J.
From SingaporeColumbia, Brown, UC Berkeley
Finalist at a major international science and engineering fair. Awarded Gold at the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair.
Jasmine P.
From SingaporeDuke, UW, NYU, Tufts
Earned Silver and Bronze in the UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge. Achieved 2× Gold in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematics Challenge. Winner (Coding) at a U18 Hackathon; also recognised as a Finalist in a previous edition.
Work Experience
The Challenge
Top US universities look for more than academic excellence; they seek evidence of curiosity, initiative, and commitment to your field of interest. Many Singapore students, focused on academics, find it challenging to gain meaningful real-world experience, making their applications appear vague or underdeveloped despite strong grades.
How We Help
Crimson is the only admissions consultancy offering a fully integrated career exploration and work experience pathway. We help students, build subject-relevant experiences that boost their applications and often lead to recommendation letters from global companies and industry professionals.
01
Career Strategy
Personalised coaching and assessments to match your strengths with future university and career pathways
02
Work Experience
Hands-on projects with companies like Uber, Ferrari, Amazon, and Salesforce, or medical shadowing at leading hospitals and public health institutions
03
Mentorship & Development
One-on-one guidance from industry professionals, offering immersive experience in your field of interest.
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