Crimson Education Singapore, university admissions consultancy

Rising up, I had fantasised about attending an Ivy League college. And whereas I’m completely happy with the education I acquired now, there are numerous different college students who share that ambition.

Crimson Education (Crimson) was based to assist college students gas that ambition and finally fulfil it.

Based in 2013 by Jamie Beaton, Fangzhou Jiang, and Sharndre Kushor, Crimson helps college students undergo the robust and aggressive admissions course of for prime universities, equivalent to Ivy League colleges and Oxbridge.

Eight years in the past, Crimson expanded to Singapore, recognising the necessity for assist amongst academically sturdy college students regionally.

“Many of these students had impressive academic records but struggled with other crucial parts of the admissions process, like extracurriculars, personal statements, and interviews,” they shared with Vulcan Publish. “We saw an opportunity to help these students stand out and maximise their chances of getting into their dream universities.”

Why Singapore?

Talking to Vulcan Publish is Joanne Gao, Crimson Education’s Regional Supervisor for Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar.

Singapore’s dedication in the direction of training may’ve made it a first-rate location for Crimson Education to increase into. In any case, the training system right here could be very results-driven, with an enormous concentrate on educational excellence.  

Past the scholars themselves, Singaporean mother and father will also be fairly concerned of their kids’s training. This can be a very good factor, contemplating that they’re those who would possible pay for Crimson’s providers.

But, after they first entered the Singaporean market, there was a stigma round getting assist with university admissions.  

However over time, Crimson’s spectacular acceptance outcomes started to talk for itself.

“When it comes to success rates, a large percentage of our students in Singapore have achieved their university goals, with many gaining acceptance to their dream schools,” Joanne acknowledged. “In fact, our success rate in Singapore is on par with, if not surpassing, other regions.”

How does it work?

Crimson’s providers go fairly in-depth, guiding college students from university choice and check preparation to private statements, extracurricular profile constructing, and interview follow.

First, the crew will get to know college students’ strengths and targets, then helps them construct a tailor-made checklist of faculties they need to apply to.

“This is also when we identify their unique hook—their personal narrative that will make them stand out to admissions officers and spark their interest,” Joanne stated.

Subsequent is the preparation stage, the place college students choose and improve their extracurriculars, from college societies to unbiased capstone initiatives like launching an app or web site.

In addition they present SAT/ACT preparation and assist to assist college students keep sturdy grades in class by means of their tutoring providers.

Lastly, in the course of the software stage, Crimson helps college students assemble and optimise their functions inside the constraints.

All through this journey, college students are paired with at the very least 4 mentors, every specialising in a distinct space.

These mentors embrace former admissions officers and consultants who’ve graduated from prime universities within the US and UK.

Who’s it for?

Crimson’s providers are usually utilized by college students three to 4 years earlier than they plan to use.

This offers them time to construct a robust profile with out feeling overwhelmed by balancing teachers and the opposite commitments wanted to face out.

“Our youngest student is 11 years old, and through our Crimson Rise programme, we help younger students discover their interests while also building key soft skills like leadership, time management, and project management,” she stated.

The crew doesn’t vet college students, however they do supply a free session the place they assess the coed’s profile, motivation, and targets.

“During this session, we’ll give them a realistic idea of the schools they could aim for with our support,” she stated. “It’s a way for both sides to get on the same page and ensure expectations are clear before making a commitment.”

The pricing for Crimson’s providers ranges from S$10,000 to S$30,000 per 12 months. The price varies relying on components such because the variety of colleges college students are making use of to and which of them.

For gifted college students with out monetary means, the startup has developed a Crimson Entry Alternative, which has helped three college students in Singapore.

Lately, the startup launched the Crimson 10 Abroad Education Scholarship in Singapore, the place they’ve chosen two Singaporean recipients to obtain over S$100,000 price of admissions consulting providers in whole.

How is the system localised for Singaporeans?

To familiarise themselves with the Singaporean panorama, the crew employed native employees who knew the ins and outs of the training system.

In addition they needed to perceive a few of the distinctive native concerns, equivalent to Nationwide Service, which impacts when and the way college students apply to universities overseas.

With that understanding, they provide localised sources to Singaporean college students, equivalent to e-books and webinars overlaying subjects like Nationwide Service (NS) and which medical colleges are recognised by the Singapore Medical Council.

When choosing mentors and tutors for Singaporean college students, the crew appears to be like for 2 principal qualities. First, they should have strong educational credentials, usually from prime universities.

“But just as importantly, they need to be able to connect with students on a personal level,” Joanne stated. “It’s not just about helping with academics; it’s about guiding them through the entire application process and making sure they feel supported every step of the way.”

At present, the Singapore crew contains roughly 40 individuals.  

What concerning the psychological toll?

School prep isn’t a straightforward journey, although, even with mentors round to assist. Excessive achievers particularly might place very excessive expectations on themselves, resulting in stress and burnout.

Crimson understands this. To assist college students strike a wholesome stability between educational ambition and private well-being, they’ve launched a pilot programme in partnership with Thoughts Tradition.

“It’s a pre-recorded workshop series called Self-Discipline and Resilience: A Toolkit for Teens’ Mental Wellness, designed to equip students with strategies to improve both their academic performance and mental health,” Joanne defined.

The programme is accessible to each Singapore scholar who signed up for Crimson’s programme alongside their common choices.

What’s subsequent for Crimson?

Crimson Education not too long ago closed S$53.5 million in its Collection D Funding Spherical, cementing its standing as a unicorn startup.

This confidence from traders additional solidifies the crew’s place because the go-to knowledgeable for college students aiming for prime universities within the US and UK.

“We want to be the name that parents and students think of first when they’re looking for help to get into Ivy League schools, Oxford, Cambridge, and other prestigious institutions,” Joanne stated.

Today, although, there was a shift in how educational achievements and university status are perceived. Whereas prime universities stay extremely revered, many employers are more and more putting worth on expertise, sensible abilities, and real-world data.  

However whereas Joanne recognises this altering mindset, she believes there’ll nonetheless be a spot for Crimson’s providers.

“Prestigious universities still carry significant weight in many sectors,” she stated. “The reason for this is clear: employers understand the level of commitment, intellectual rigour, and discipline required to gain entry to and succeed at these leading institutions.”

She elaborated, “It’s not just about the brand—it’s about what that degree represents: a proven ability to excel in a challenging, high-pressure environment, alongside a strong work ethic and the capacity to handle complex tasks.”

As a substitute of working in opposition to this altering panorama, Crimson sees it as a chance.

Whereas gaining entry to prime universities has been central to Crimson’s model, their mission has all the time been broader—to foster holistic improvement amongst college students.

“This shift in employer priorities aligns with Crimson’s strengths—supporting students in creating not only competitive university applications but also diverse, impactful profiles that stand out across any field,” Joanne concluded.

Be taught extra about Crimson Education right here.

Learn different articles we’ve written about startups right here.

Featured Picture Credit score: Crimson Education