Crimson Education Review: College Admissions Consulting

In case you don’t already know what you’re up against—although I’m sure you do—college admission success rates for elite universities are depressingly low. In fact, the regular acceptance rate for Harvard University’s 2027 Class is a mere 2.6%. And other top-tier colleges? They’re not much better. 

The college admissions process is more competitive every year, but expert guidance can help students gain admission to their dream college. Here’s the good news: 25% of Crimson Education applicants got the coveted Ivy League acceptance letter. 98% got accepted to at least one of their top five colleges.

In this guide, I’ll describe my experience with Crimson Education, outlining their programs, key features, customer service, and pricing—all to help you make the best decision for your higher education path. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Is Crimson Education Going to be a Good Fit For You? 

• If you want college admissions consulting with a team of former admissions officers and Strategists, then Crimson Education Services deserves your attention. 
• If you’re aiming for an Ivy League admission—or any of the top 15 universities—then Crimson’s high acceptance rates and success stories may appeal to you. 
• If you value personalized college application help and technology-driven essay review services, then Crimson’s programs offer tailored support. 
• If you’re an international student seeking global consulting and expert admissions guidance, then Crimson Education’s trustworthy worldwide presence is a strong fit. 
• If you don’t have the budget for premium college consulting costs, then Crimson Education’s packages might be out of reach. 

Who is Crimson Education and What Do They Do? 

Let’s break down the basics of Crimson Education as a company before we dive into the experience they deliver for students.

Crimson Education was founded in New Zealand in 2013. It’s a college admissions consulting company that provides premium team-based support for students who are applying to top universities worldwide. The company quickly expanded to over 60 countries and is recognized for their team of specialists—former admissions officers, essay mentors, and academic tutors. They offer comprehensive guidance on university admissions, test prep, extracurricular mentoring, and academic support. Whether you’re aiming for undergraduate or graduate school, Crimson offers admissions consulting for a wide range of needs.

With a focus on elite schools like the Ivy League, Oxford, and Cambridge, Crimson Education has an impressive success rate of six to seven times higher than average applicants, with a reported 98% acceptance rate to students’ top five college choices. Their college admissions consultants are experienced in helping students gain admission to Ivy League and other elite universities. 

Ultimately, Crimson’s admissions consultants have an unquestionable track record of helping students achieve their academic goals, making them a solid investment if your dream school is a non-negotiable.

Pros

Team-Based Support: Crimson Education connects you with a team of former admissions officers, college strategists, and tutors who will guide you through every step of your college application process. 
High Success Rates: With a 98% acceptance rate to students’ top five college choices, Crimson has a strong track record of results and admissions success.
Global Reach: The service isn’t just for U.S. applicants—Crimson specializes in helping high-achieving and international students secure spots at elite colleges all over the world.
Organized Tech Platform: Crimson’s tech platform keeps your application timeline, feedback, and progress tracking all in one place, lightening your load.
Comprehensive Services: Students can access a wide range of college consulting services like essay reviews, SAT/ACT prep, extracurricular mentoring, and more, all custom-fit to their goals.

Cons

Premium Pricing: Crimson Education’s personalized, comprehensive approach comes at a higher cost than many other admissions consulting firms.
T&C Consistency: Some families have mentioned mixed experiences with terms and conditions, so it’s important to review agreements closely before enrolling. 

“I found it pretty helpful. We had a single essay advisor who worked with us throughout the process. After they reviewed the essays and they were somewhat finalized we sent them to a senior strategist who reviewed them more critically. Then, there was an optional review (that could cost a bit more) for a former admission officer from the school(s) you are applying to review your entire application file (essays included). I found it to be really useful.”

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What are Your College Counseling Options With Crimson Education? 

Package #1: College Admissions Counseling

This service is ideal for high school students who want one-on-one expert guidance to help them maximize their chances of admission to their top colleges of choice. It’s also a great fit for anyone looking for a personalized roadmap, including help with school selection, application strategies, and essay writing. 

Crimson’s college admissions counselors can guide you through every aspect of the application process, from choosing target schools to building your activities list and writing outstanding college essays.

Features:

• A custom strategy tailored to your strengths, goals, and target schools
• Direct support from former admissions officers for guidance and advice
• An Essay Mentor to provide detailed feedback and multiple rounds of editing
• An Extracurricular Mentor to help add/highlight hobbies for a well-rounded profile
• Comprehensive support for SAT, ACT, and other required exams
• One-on-one interview coaching to develop storytelling and communication skills
• Progress tracking to help you monitor milestones and stay organized

Package #2: College Athletic Recruitment

This package is an excellent choice for high school athletes who aspire to compete at the collegiate level but require targeted support with the athletic recruiting process. This service is unique in its focus on building a standout athletic profile and connecting directly with college coaches. Like all of Crimson’s programs, the package includes access to admissions consultants who understand the complex college admissions process for student-athletes

Features: 

• Everything in the first package plus…
• Step-by-step assistance in building a strong athletic resume
• Experts to help guide you in compiling and editing stand-out highlight videos
• Advice and networking support to connect applicants with college coaches
• Guidance through the NCAA (and NAIA) eligibility process
• Prep for both on-field evaluations and admissions interviews

Package #3: Crimson Rise: College Prep for Middle Schoolers

This package is designed for younger students and families who want to start the college journey earlier. Especially families who are looking for long-term strategies, the type that can help build strong academic and extracurricular foundations before you even begin high school. The program helps middle school students and parents learn about the admissions process early, so students develop academic and leadership skills for later success.

Features:

• Personalized guidance with a Strategist who will act as a coach
• Help creating a high school strategy to boost college acceptance odds
• A number of relevant skill-building workshops, including:
  • Time management, problem solving, communication, and leadership.

Package #4: Crimson Rise: Enhanced College Prep for Middle Schoolers

If you and your family want to go all in, consider this package. You get everything included in the core program, plus extra tools and projects that can turn a strong start into a real edge for future applications. Admissions consultants and graduate coaches work closely with students to build confidence and long-term academic success.

Features: 

• Everything in the core Crimson Rise package plus…
• Capstone project development with early application preparation
• Connect with professionals to see if their field would be your perfect fit
• Regular strategy chats to keep the parents and students in the loop
• A la carte expansion means students can add on specialized services

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How Crimson’s Programs Work: Flexible, Personalized Guidance

From my experience with Crimson Education, I’ve found that their approach to college prep stands out for its flexibility and personalization. The entire process is 100% virtual, meaning students and families can easily connect with advisors via video calls, chat, and document-sharing platforms—something I found especially convenient as a professional course reviewer with a hectic schedule.

One of the things that impressed me the most was their thorough program coverage. Every detail, from your individual goals and interests to your academic strengths and timeline, is taken into account. For example, Crimson Rise has a clear focus on mentorship and early skills development. And for high schoolers, the College Admissions Counseling program adapts to every stage of your journey, offering you tailored strategies and advice that address all of your needs. Not surprisingly, students get the best results when they have guidance from top college admissions consultants and college admissions coaches, especially when targeting elite colleges—and the earlier, the better.

Overall, I appreciated how personal and adaptive the experience felt, and I can see students of all ages seeing the value in this as well.

• Practice tools:
  • College application tracker and planning tools.
  • Brainstorming and drafting for essays. 
  • Some programs offer skill-building workshops and project guidance. 
• Extras:
  • Access to a network of Crimson mentors, including past successful applicants, experts, and former admissions officers. 
  • Essay samples, extracurricular idea lists, and strategy guides. 
  • Direct communication with your Strategist or advisor for questions and feedback.

Crimson’s Online Platform & Tech Experience  

Crimson’s virtual College Admissions Consulting Platform is an easy-to-use online system that allows you to schedule sessions, share documents, and track your application progress with just a few clicks. Whether you’re on your laptop or phone, chatting with your advisor is simple through the secure portal, email, or chat.

You also get access to a massive library of video tutorials and interactive webinars that break down every step of the college application process. Expert advisors are there with real, practical tips and will adjust their advice to match your learning style. Plus, you have access to live sessions where you can ask questions and get the latest insights straight from experienced admissions pros and college counselors. 

• App-tracked progress: The platform lets you monitor your goals and milestones directly, helping you stay organized and on schedule. 

Personalized Value & Outcome Focused Support

Each plan is tailored to your goals, strengths, and college ambitions, so the support you get is truly personalized. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find two identical plans for Crimson students. Advisors provide guidance through every step of the process, from brainstorming and editing essays to planning your academic and extracurricular path. 

In my experience, not only were they highly knowledgeable (I’m talking former Admissions Officers from Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton), but it was clear they took their responsibility seriously. Crimson made me feel seen and heard, and they had a knack for knowing which parts of my story to highlight so I could better connect with key figures in the admissions process. I also benefited from organization tools like application checklists and timeline management. 

Ongoing Communication & Access

You can expect regular check-ins, parent meetings, and ongoing progress reports. Advisors are responsive via the platform and email, and I never had to wait more than 24 hours for a response (and a little longer if I reached out over the weekend). While Crimson is for students, it was clear to me that they care just as deeply about creating a positive experience for parents. Access lasts for the duration of your counseling relationship, usually taking you to the end of your admissions cycle. However, specific timelines and access can vary by package. 

“We called Crimson with less than 2 weeks left to submit the USA university application from Australia. They were incredibly quick to respond and worked late into the night, on Xmas eve and even NYE! Very dedicated consultants, especially Mai Dinh, she was so diligent, detailed and most amiable to work with. Made the whole process smooth and seamless considering the deadline. My daughter ended up with 3 successful Ivy League acceptances.”  Trustpilot

Comparing Crimson Education to The Competition

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Crimson Education vs PrepScholar 

I’ve checked out both Crimson Education and PrepScholar, and they each offer admissions support, but in very different ways. For one thing, Crimson stands out for its personalized college admissions consulting. You’re paired with a mentor who focuses on tailored strategies, hands-on essay coaching, and even building a smart strategy for extracurriculars. Working directly with former Ivy League admissions officers and a global team of advisors makes for a comprehensive process—you’re supported through every step, from building a school list to polishing your essays.

PrepScholar, on the other hand, is best known for its affordable, self-paced SAT and ACT prep. They do have an admissions consulting division, and I found their adaptive learning tech and expert advisors to be great if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, results-driven option. Their essay and application review are solid, but I noticed the services weren’t as comprehensive or personalized as Crimson’s ongoing mentorship and strategy. 

Choose Crimson Education if: You want premium, personalized admissions consulting, one-on-one mentorship, and step-by-step guidance for every part of your college application journey.

Pick PrepScholar if: You’re looking for affordable, self-paced SAT/ACT prep, want to work independently, and need detailed feedback on your applications without a big investment in ongoing coaching.

Crimson Education vs Admissionado

When comparing Admissionado with Crimson Education, I noticed that Crimson’s virtual program offers comprehensive one-on-one guidance—not just with academics and essay review, but also extracurricular mentoring and direct access to a global team of former admissions officers. Their process felt structured and supportive, ideal for anyone (like me) who wants an all-in-one solution through the whole application cycle. 

On the other hand, Admissionado is more about targeted essay coaching and strategic admissions consulting. I found their packages to be flexible and great if you mainly need editing and feedback on your essays. If you already have a pretty good application plan and just want to maximize your writing, Admissionado could be a good fit. 

Choose Crimson Education if: You want the whole package—comprehensive admissions support, academic and extracurricular mentoring, and a highly structured program with expert advisors.

Pick Admissionado if: You mainly want top-notch essay feedback and targeted application advice, with flexible packages that let you focus just on the writing.

Crimson Education vs PrepExpert

When I compared what Crimson had to offer vs PrepExpert, I noticed some important differences. Crimson offers a very personalized, high-level experience. I got matched with expert strategists—including some former Ivy League admissions officers—and it felt like I had resources for every part of my application, whether I was working on test prep, strategy, essay editing, or extracurricular planning. 

Looking at PrepExpert, it’s totally focused on SAT and ACT test prep. Their online classes are run by top 1% scorers, and they even offer score improvement guarantees, which is great if tests are your main concern.  And while they do offer college admissions consulting and essay review, it’s not on the same level as what Crimson Education offers. 

Choose Crimson Education if: You want full-service, hands-on admissions counseling from former Ivy League officers and strategists, and mentorship through each part of the process is important to you. 

Pick PrepExpert if: Your top priority is boosting your SAT/ACT scores with proven instructors, live classes, and score guarantees. And if you’re looking for a more affordable, test-focused solution. 

Final Verdict 

After trying out these services for myself, I can honestly say Crimson Education stands out if you’re searching for a truly personalized, start-to-finish college admissions support. Their expert team and one-on-one mentorship—not to mention help with everything from essays to extracurriculars—make them an outstanding choice if you’re aiming for top-tier schools and want a comprehensive approach.  

However, if you’re shooting for the top 15 rather than the Ivies, or a comprehensive option that’s a little less expensive, Admissionado might be a better fit.

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