Established in 1889, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is a leading U.S. newspaper with a daily circulation of 2 million copies. It boasts significant global influence and has been awarded 37 Pulitzer Prizes.

Given its prominent media standing, The Wall Street Journal typically selects heads of state, industry magnates, and other influential figures for exclusive interviews.

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In a recent exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, Jamie Beaton and Fangzhou Jiang, co-founders of Crimson Education, shared insights into their journey from academic prodigies to global education pioneers.

1) The Two Miracles in Education

Established by Jamie and Fangzhou, Crimson Education stands as a legendary presence in the realm of education. From its inception in New Zealand in 2013, Crimson has expanded to encompass 30 countries and regions across the globe within a decade.

Crimson primarily assists ambitious high school students in their quest to apply to prestigious global universities.

The company's renowned reputation stems from its remarkably high success rate in applications: as it marks its tenth year, Crimson has facilitated more than 1,000 acceptances to Ivy League institutions, fulfilling the aspirations of millions of students aiming for the world's best universities. Historical admissions data demonstrates that, on average, Crimson can enhance students' chances of Ivy League acceptance by 4.5 times!

During the recently concluded 2023-2024 application cycle, there were 293 Ivy League acceptances, over 680 to the top 20 U.S. universities, 63 students securing admission to Oxford and Cambridge, and more than 1,200 students gaining entry to the top 30 U.S. universities.

Apart from its remarkable accomplishments in the professional arena, Crimson has also achieved another extraordinary feat in 2022 within the financial sector by attaining the status of a "unicorn company."

In financial parlance, "unicorn companies" are those founded within a decade yet valued at over 1 billion in local currency. Such firms typically garner significant interest from the financial market.

2) To assist students more effectively, you must tread the path yourself

During their high school years, both Jamie and Fangzhou excelled academically.

Jamie completed his education at the prestigious King's College in New Zealand. Throughout his schooling, he achieved outstanding results by successfully navigating ten A-level subjects, securing top grades with eight A* distinctions and two A grades.

Notably, he clinched numerous accolades, including being the world's first and New Zealand's first in subjects like English Literature.

During the university application process, Jamie received offers from 25 esteemed institutions worldwide, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Cambridge.

Ultimately opting for Harvard, he accelerated his academic journey by earning a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and economics as well as a master's degree in applied mathematics ahead of schedule, graduating with honors as "Magna Cum Laude."

On campus, he held pivotal roles as the chair of Harvard's largest student hedge fund, as well as the vice president of the undergraduate economics student union, and consistently excelled in mathematics, economics, and business competitions among American universities.

By the time of his graduation, Jamie had already begun his career as an analyst at the renowned Tiger Management firm.

Fangzhou, hailing from Shaanxi Province, embarked on his academic journey at the age of 16 at Rangitoto College, a distinguished public high school in Auckland, as an international student.

Upon completing high school, Fangzhou achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the sole international student in New Zealand's history to be honored with the NZQA Prime Minister's Scholarship, the country's most prestigious academic accolade.

In addition to mastering the New Zealand national high school curriculum, he independently studied and aced seven AP courses, earning the distinguished AP Elite Scholar Award from the American College Board.

Subsequently, Fangzhou secured a full scholarship to the Australian National University, a feat granted to only two individuals globally, where he pursued a dual bachelor's degree in science and business.

Following their graduation from esteemed universities, the duo did not rest on their laurels. They embarked on a journey akin to a "prestigious university harvester," acquiring additional degrees across various disciplines from top institutions.

Even today, these two individuals continue to push forward relentlessly. Their persistent drive stems from a steadfast belief that to effectively mentor students, they must possess an in-depth comprehension of the application procedures at each elite university. By traversing diverse paths themselves, they can distil the most valuable insights and experiences firsthand.

While duplicating the success of an individual may prove challenging, their success story can serve as a source of invaluable inspiration for other young individuals.

Jamie and Fangzhou, the visionaries behind Crimson Education, champion the ethos of "teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish."

Over more than a decade since founding Crimson, they have been unwavering in their dedication to imparting their life experiences to students, encompassing study techniques, exam readiness, university applications, entrepreneurial insights, and more.

3) Constructing an exceptional team by harnessing technology to establish an innovative enterprise

Apart from offering direct student mentorship, Jamie and Fangzhou have devoted close to a decade to assembling a global team of elite educators, counselors, and admissions experts.

Since 2013, Crimson has cultivated a network of over 4,000 tutors hailing from esteemed universities worldwide, spanning various disciplines and career domains.

Catering to students' diverse interests, desired majors, and academic requirements, Crimson seamlessly matches them with suitable tutors, delivering tailored guidance on coursework, project activities, language training, competition preparation, skill enhancement, and other forms of support.

In addition, Crimson Education remains steadfast in leveraging technology to spearhead educational advancements. Over the past decade, the Crimson team's innovative technology, exclusive resources, and specialized expertise have empowered students to consistently unlock their potential and explore expansive opportunities.

All ages, all aspects, full coverage

Crimson delivers a comprehensive array of educational offerings to students globally, spanning educational planning for middle schoolers to assistance with undergraduate and graduate admissions.

Our services encompass a spectrum of opportunities, including accredited international high school programs, involvement in research initiatives, internships at renowned firms, and leadership development programs, all aimed at furnishing students with holistic support.

Global Vision + Global Resources = Global Influence

Crimson collaborates extensively with renowned corporations, academic establishments, and industry authorities globally to furnish students with cross-border opportunities and resources, enhancing their competitiveness in the application process.

Exclusive educational technology system

Crimson has autonomously developed the Crimson App, a 100% technology-driven application management platform. This innovative tool serves as a nexus connecting students, tutor teams, and the expansive Crimson global community.

Leveraging big data, the Crimson App furnishes students with transparent and scientifically informed information and planning recommendations for their applications, enabling them to craft clearer, more strategic, and targeted academic plans, thereby significantly enhancing their prospects of securing admission to prestigious institutions.

To date, Crimson has facilitated admission for over 6,000 students to the top 50 U.S. universities, with over 1,000 gaining entry to Ivy League institutions and 296 securing spots at Oxford and Cambridge in the UK.

Additionally, Crimson has assisted students in securing a collective sum of $110 million in scholarships.

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Join our free webinars on US and UK university applications
• Free eBooks and guides to help with the college application process
• How to Build an Extracurricular Profile for US Universities
• Supercurriculars: Boosting Your Application for Top UK Universities
• Examples Of Extracurricular Activities That Look Great On College Applications