Personal Essay eBook
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How To Write The Perfect Personal Statement

Download our new eBook to read 23 successful essays by Crimson students who got into the Ivy League, Oxbridge and more!

What Do Successful Students Write About?

Our eBook contains almost 25 successful statements written by Crimson students from all over the world. Here’s just a taste of the topics they covered:

Growing up a “Boat Baby”

This successful Yale applicant wrote about growing up on a river boat in London, where it was more “commonplace to know a pirate than a banker.” 

Castaway Takeaway

Our University of Oxford-bound English Language and Literature student spoke about what book would accompany her as a castaway and why!

Freedom and the Kiwi Dream

This New Zealand student, who was accepted to both Harvard and Yale, examined the meaning of the Kiwi Dream and the importance of inclusivity.

One Global Economy

This Cambridge University Economics admit, explored how her dream of pursuing economics was motivated by her research into the critical role of economic policy in global welfare.

Day Designer Obsession

In this colourful statement, this Vanderbilt admit explored her obsessions with day planners and how her discovery of colourful post-it notes changed her perspective on adapting to change.

The Billionaire

This King’s College London Business and Management admit explored how the biographical film “The Billionaire” incited her interest in identifying unique market opportunities.

Friday Family Congress TED Talks

This Columbia admit wrote about growing up in a multigenerational and multicultural household and how his family’s Friday night ritual of discussion inspired his desire to learn.

The Human Body — A Feat Of Engineering

Observing inequality in South Africa, this student was admitted to study medicine at the University of Exeter after writing this personal statement on equality, empathy and understanding.

Why Crimson

Our essay mentors are often Ivy League or Oxbridge educated, and have written successful essays of their own.

Why Are Crimson

Why Crimson Students' Personal Statements are So Successful. 

Crimson’s work with students is centered on the premise of individual attention and taking real time to support each applicant in preparing the perfect personal statement for them. 

The statement is the centerpiece of both the US and the UK application process - so it is important that your essay showcases your academic aspirations (UK), or communicates a story which demonstrates who you are and what matters to you (US).

Our essay mentors work with their students closely for eight or more months to produce the best personal statements possible. They help each student showcase their academic rigour and explore their unique personal voice.

Our eBook contains successful essays from Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Duke admits and more 

Read statements written by admits to Cambridge Economics, Oxford Philosophy and more

From flipping burgers to building an IKEA bookshelf - read how each student explored their personal voice

Crimson's Success

The words of brilliant Crimson students who achieved their dreams working with us

460+
Offers to the world’s best colleges
38
Offers to Oxford & Cambridge
133
Offers to Ivy League colleges
$45M
Worth of scholarships (USD)

Crimson's Success

Hear what our students have to say about working with Crimson

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World-Class Universities

Go behind the scenes at some of the top universities in the world to gain an insight into campus life and to explore the possibilities for your own future.

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World-Class Universities

Go behind the scenes at some of the top universities in the world to gain an insight into campus life and to explore the possibilities for your own future.

  • Imperial College London
  • University College London
  • London School of Economics
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Cambridge
  • École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Meet Some of Crimson’s Essay Experts

From Harvard to Oxford...our essay mentors have studied at some of the best universities in the world.

Gabe Gladstein

Gabe graduated Magna Cum Laude in Government (with a focus in the study of ethics in war and Chinese politics) from Harvard University in 2017, and in 2018 graduated with a Master’s degree in Music from the New England Conservatory of Music.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

2018 Judging Panel
CRIMSON EDUCATION CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie applied to the top 25 universities in the world and gained acceptance into all of them. Jamie was named 2016 Young Innovator of the Year by the NZ Innovation Counil. This year Jamie featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 - Consumer Tech.

Hear it from Crimson Students

The words of brilliant Crimson students who achieved their dreams working with us

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“My essay mentor supported me along this journey by giving me advice on the countless drafts that I drew up. Through the many iterations, my personal statement became much clearer, and I became confident that my efforts would be effective.”

Emma T. 

University of Cambridge
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“My essay mentor, Lincoln, was unbelievably good at helping me brainstorm. He helped me realise the different avenues I could consider, before narrowing down on what would work best. The process was really efficient but also really inspiring. Thanks to Lincoln, I produced a statement I was really proud to submit.”

Don K.

University of Chicago, Class of 2023

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“When I first started writing, I was very nervous about my ideas. I wasn't sure if anything was interesting or good enough. But my Crimson essay mentor Emily gave me confidence and made me see how the essay could actually be a very enjoyable piece to write.”

Lina C.
Harvard University, Class of 2023
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