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How to Strengthen Ivy League Applications Through Teacher Recommendations

An exclusive Crimson Education workshop, ideal for students going into Year 11 & 12 and their families. This advanced session dives into how teacher recommendations influence Ivy League admissions — and what students can do early on to ensure theirs stand out.

  • Zoom (Online)

Are You Using Your Teacher Recommendations to Their Full Potential?

The teacher recommendation is often overlooked, but it’s one of the only parts of your application that doesn’t come from you.

I’m Martin, former Dean of Admissions at Stanford and current Guidance Counsellor. Over the years, I’ve reviewed thousands of applications from high-achieving students. And one thing still surprises me: When top US universities reject over 95% of applicants, many with near-identical grades, essays, and activities, it’s the teacher’s voice that often makes the difference. In this live, interactive workshop:

01

How to choose the right teachers to write your recommendations — it’s not always the obvious choice.

02

What top admissions teams look for in a truly standout letter.

03

When and how to approach your teachers strategically, and what to say to make it easy for them.

04

Why wording matters: the difference between “top 5%” and “best I’ve ever taught” can be decisive.

05

How Crimson can support your application journey.

06

You’ll leave with a help sheet and clear, expert-backed steps to strengthen your recommendation letters.

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Meet Your Speakers

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Martin W.

Martin W.

Former Stanford Asst. Dean of Admissions

Martin began his career as a teacher and coordinator at international schools in Cambodia and Venezuela, gaining first-hand experience in global education systems and student development. He later returned to his alma mater, Santa Clara University, where he spent five years in the admissions office — evaluating domestic and international applicants and helping shape incoming classes. Martin went on to serve as Assistant Dean of Admission at Stanford University, where he reviewed applications fr...

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Rebecca P.

Rebecca P.

Regional Director, Crimson UK and Europe

Rebecca is Country Manager for the UK and Europe at Crimson Education and brings over 15 years of experience in Admissions, EdTech and Publishing. She has held senior roles across global education companies, including positions as Digital Director, eLearning Director and Publishing Director — blending strategic leadership with deep sector expertise. At Crimson, Rebecca has advised hundreds of students from across Europe on US and UK university applications, helping them navigate the competitive...

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How Crimson Can Help

Applying to top universities is a difficult task which is why so many students seek external support in addition to the guidance offered at school. Our tailored programmes pair each student with a team of expert mentors, guiding them through every step, from university selection to essays and test prep. By joining this webinar, you’ll have the chance to qualify for a 1:1 meeting with an Academic Advisor to assess your candidacy and learn how Crimson helps students boost their admission chances by 2–10x.

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Register now!

After completing the form below you will receive an email from Zoom with your link to join the webinar on 27/08/25 at 6:30pm (BST).

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