- 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 the most talented students face steep competition when applying to universities in the United States. Strong grades alone are no longer enough. Students need to choose the right mix of reach, match, and safety schools, and present a cohesive, compelling application. Our expert consultants help students build standout profiles that make them stand out.
Building a unique and memorable application theme.
Developing a strategic and balanced university list.
Maximising leadership and extracurricular achievements.
Managing every part of the application timeline and process.
“Aidan was my strategist, and he helped me significantly by guiding which activities I should focus on, how to frame them in my application, and matching me with a great essay counselor.”
Holly C., Accepted to Stanford University, Class of 2029
Academic Acceleration
The Challenge
Top US universities place major emphasis on academic results. Even with test-optional policies, institutions like MIT, Stanford, and the Ivy League still expect excellence in standardised exams and school grades — especially for international applicants.
“ The average GPA for the Ivy League last year was 3.9. While students need a wide range of achievements, academics are a cornerstone of the application process.”
Arkesh P., Harvard and Cambridge graduate, Crimson COO
How We Help
Crimson’s test prep team delivers highly personalised, results-focused support to help students meet, and exceed US academic standards.
01
Expert Tutoring
Work one-on-one with Ivy League scorers and top university students.
03
Targeted Practice
Bespoke revision strategies and mock testing.
Accepted to
Cornell
Name
Medha E.
“ Crimson’s SAT support was incredibly helpful. Their baseline assessments and structured prep strategy helped me target my weak areas. I also used offline resources provided by Crimson, which were very effective. After several attempts, I finally achieved my target score. ”
Medha E., Accepted to Cornell University
Essays
“ 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 — to showcase their personality, values, and perspective.
But many students struggle to choose the right topic, develop a strong narrative, and refine their writing to a level that makes an impact.
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
“My essay mentor was Lauren Schmidt. She helped me sort through my ideas so that I could understand which were strengthening my essays and which were distracting from them. She also helped with editing so that I met word counts, and corrected the mistakes I overlooked.”
Udo E., Aaccepted to Northwestern University
Capstone Development
The Challenge
Students who stand out don’t just tick boxes — they create real-world impact. But most students don’t know how to turn their passions into a project that truly impresses 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 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
Abang S.
South Africa
Business skills development
University of Pennsylvania
Taught children in the local Yeoville community about economic concepts, helping them run their own markets and learn about the impact of supply and demand on their markets.
Capstone Success
Abang S.
South Africa
Business skills development
University of Pennsylvania
Taught children in the local Yeoville community about economic concepts, helping them run their own markets and learn about the impact of supply and demand on their markets.
Capstone Success
Medha E.
Ghana
Airport Object Detection
Cornell University
Developed an initiative focused on Computer Vision and Object Detection of unattended or suspicious bags in public areas, presented to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Capstone Success
Loapi M.
South Africa
Aerospace Engineering Website
Princeton and Georgia Tech
Created Aerospace Engineering curriculum website, for aspiring engineers to inspire a love for flight, innovation, and problem-solving in aeronautics and space exploration.
Abang S.
Taught children in the local Yeoville community about economic concepts, helping them run their own markets and learn about the impact of supply and demand on their markets.
Medha E.
Developed an initiative focused on Computer Vision and Object Detection of unattended or suspicious bags in public areas, presented to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Loapi M.
Created Aerospace Engineering curriculum website, for aspiring engineers to inspire a love for flight, innovation, and problem-solving in aeronautics and space exploration.
Capstone Success
Abang S.
South Africa
Business skills development
University of Pennsylvania
Taught children in the local Yeoville community about economic concepts, helping them run their own markets and learn about the impact of supply and demand on their markets.
Capstone Success
Medha E.
Ghana
Airport Object Detection
Cornell University
Developed an initiative focused on Computer Vision and Object Detection of unattended or suspicious bags in public areas, presented to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Capstone Success
Loapi M.
South Africa
Aerospace Engineering Website
Princeton and Georgia Tech
Created Aerospace Engineering curriculum website, for aspiring engineers to inspire a love for flight, innovation, and problem-solving in aeronautics and space exploration.
Research Projects
The Challenge
Top US universities — including Columbia, Yale, and Princeton — now allow students to submit independent research as part of their application. But for international applicants from Africa, gaining access to the right mentors and publishing pathways isn’t easy. Without this support, it’s harder to produce the kind of standout research that can set 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 rigor 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
Solar powered UV-light water purification system.
Independent Research Collaboration
Student
Kiarie M.
From Kenya, Princeton Class of 2029
Mentor
Dr. Carlos X.
Researcher at Center for Constitutional Studies of the Mexican Supreme Court
Outcome
Independent Research Collaboration - Designed & tested sustainable solar powered UV-light water purification system.
Stiffness of the Extracellular Matrix in Determining Cellular Activity
Published in IJHSR Accepted to Johns Hopkins
Student
Arya S.
From India, Johns Hopkins Class of 2029
Mentor
Sammy H.
Harvard University Alumni
Outcome
Shown how the ECM can affect stem cell differentiation through cytoskeletal feedback loops and induced traction stresses
Relationship between deaths, air pollution, and CO2 emissions in Kazakhstan
Independent Research Collaboration
Student
Ariana M.
Kazakhstan. Accepted to Drexel, Northeastern & UIUC
Mentor
Samantha F
East Carolina University Alumni
Outcome
This study investigates the complex relationships between air pollution, CO2 emissions, and death rates in Kazakhstan.
Investigate the Predictive Performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Models
Published in IJHSR Accepted to University of California
Student
Raj B.
From India, UC Berkley, Class of 2029
Mentor
Abduallah Y.
Crimson Indigo Mentor
Outcome
Used predictive performance of AI-based models, to demonstrate how LSTM models perform under various economic conditions
Solar powered UV-light water purification system.
Independent Research Collaboration
Student
Kiarie M.
From Kenya, Princeton Class of 2029
Mentor
Dr. Carlos X.
Researcher at Center for Constitutional Studies of the Mexican Supreme Court
Outcome
Independent Research Collaboration - Designed & tested sustainable solar powered UV-light water purification system.
Stiffness of the Extracellular Matrix in Determining Cellular Activity
Published in IJHSR Accepted to Johns Hopkins
Student
Arya S.
From India, Johns Hopkins Class of 2029
Mentor
Sammy H.
Harvard University Alumni
Outcome
Shown how the ECM can affect stem cell differentiation through cytoskeletal feedback loops and induced traction stresses
Relationship between deaths, air pollution, and CO2 emissions in Kazakhstan
Independent Research Collaboration
Student
Ariana M.
Kazakhstan. Accepted to Drexel, Northeastern & UIUC
Mentor
Samantha F
East Carolina University Alumni
Outcome
This study investigates the complex relationships between air pollution, CO2 emissions, and death rates in Kazakhstan.
Investigate the Predictive Performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Models
Published in IJHSR Accepted to University of California
Student
Raj B.
From India, UC Berkley, Class of 2029
Mentor
Abduallah Y.
Crimson Indigo Mentor
Outcome
Used predictive performance of AI-based models, to demonstrate how LSTM models perform under various economic conditions
Solar powered UV-light water purification system.
Independent Research Collaboration
Student
Kiarie M.
From Kenya, Princeton Class of 2029
Mentor
Dr. Carlos X.
Researcher at Center for Constitutional Studies of the Mexican Supreme Court
Outcome
Independent Research Collaboration - Designed & tested sustainable solar powered UV-light water purification system.
Stiffness of the Extracellular Matrix in Determining Cellular Activity
Published in IJHSR Accepted to Johns Hopkins
Student
Arya S.
From India, Johns Hopkins Class of 2029
Mentor
Sammy H.
Harvard University Alumni
Outcome
Shown how the ECM can affect stem cell differentiation through cytoskeletal feedback loops and induced traction stresses
Relationship between deaths, air pollution, and CO2 emissions in Kazakhstan
Independent Research Collaboration
Student
Ariana M.
Kazakhstan. Accepted to Drexel, Northeastern & UIUC
Mentor
Samantha F
East Carolina University Alumni
Outcome
This study investigates the complex relationships between air pollution, CO2 emissions, and death rates in Kazakhstan.
Investigate the Predictive Performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Models
Published in IJHSR Accepted to University of California
Student
Raj B.
From India, UC Berkley, Class of 2029
Mentor
Abduallah Y.
Crimson Indigo Mentor
Outcome
Used predictive performance of AI-based models, to demonstrate how LSTM models perform under various economic conditions
Honors and Awards
The Challenge
Recognition through honors sets your child apart in a competitive applicant pool, and are critical indicators to admissions officers. 90% of Crimson’s Ivy League admits in 2024 had at least five elite honors on their applications. 80% of these awards came from the most prestigious competitions. Although, finding the right competitions and doing what it takes to win them can be overwhelming.
How We Help
Crimson students gain access to the world’s only comprehensive awards training program, guiding them to claim the elite honors top colleges expect. Your child gets:
01
Personalized 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
Steven
Admitted to University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
Finalist in John Locke Essay Economics Competition: Distinction in UKMT Mathematical Olympiad for Girls: InvestIN Young Entrepreneur Best Business Idea/Pitch Award; Gold in UKMT Senior Maths Challenge.
Jonathan A.
From Sydney, Stanford Class of 2029Stanford, Yale
Received a Gold Key in Writing in the US National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards with a repurposed finalist John Locke Essay Competition essay. Qualified 4x for American Invitational Math Examination (AIME) in 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades.
Kevin P.
From South Africa, Stanford Class of 2029Stanford University
Recieved Silver in the British Biology Olympiad; USA-China Biology Olympiad regional awardee; Distinction in the John Locke Essay Competition
Steven
Admitted to University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
Finalist in John Locke Essay Economics Competition: Distinction in UKMT Mathematical Olympiad for Girls: InvestIN Young Entrepreneur Best Business Idea/Pitch Award; Gold in UKMT Senior Maths Challenge.
Jonathan A.
From Sydney, Stanford Class of 2029Stanford, Yale
Received a Gold Key in Writing in the US National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards with a repurposed finalist John Locke Essay Competition essay. Qualified 4x for American Invitational Math Examination (AIME) in 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades.
Kevin P.
From South Africa, Stanford Class of 2029Stanford University
Recieved Silver in the British Biology Olympiad; USA-China Biology Olympiad regional awardee; Distinction in the John Locke Essay Competition
Work Experience
The Challenge
Top US universities look for more than academic excellence — they want evidence of curiosity, initiative, and commitment to your field of interest. Without real-world experience, even strong applications from international students can seem vague or underdeveloped.
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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