The Crimson Global Admissions Summit 2026 was held in July, and we took the opportunity while there to sit down with JAMIE BEATON, co-founder of Crimson Education in Hong Kong. Jamie is also the company’s CEO, and he says that a “CEO mindset” can help when it comes to strategies for university applications.
Tell us about your own approach to the university application process as a student.
I was one of only a handful of kids from New Zealand applying for overseas universities, and while I didn’t see myself as much of a natural leader, I did work on building a set of leadership skills in high school. For example, I launched a student business called Number Eight Technologies, selling iPad stands for cars so parents could use them for Google Maps; I learnt computer-aided design, recruited different people and even looked for a Chinese manufacturer. After that, I launched a student newspaper, The King’s Echo, with different classmates writing about sport, academics and events across New Zealand and the world. I also started various clubs, including Model United Nations.
When you think of CEOs, there are the corporate CEOs who run companies like Pepsi, and entrepreneurial CEOs who work towards building a venture. I think students in high school can benefit from having that second mindset, where they’re trying to bring projects and activities to life. That’s the mindset I brought to my own university application, and it helped me get into a lot of different universities. And I definitely bring it to our Crimson Education students today, through our Capstone Programs.
You received loads of offers; which one did you accept and why?
I ended up choosing Harvard. I love both the US and the UK, and as a Kiwi, I feel a great attachment to the UK. At Harvard, though, I could do classes in economics, maths, statistics and finance, but also things like renewable energy, philosophy, entrepreneurship, nutrition and business in China – there was real breadth of options. It helped that it’s a household name, too – even my 91-year-old granddad from Montrose, Scotland, knew the school and was excited that I got an offer.
How does Crimson Education help students with their own strategies for university applications?
Over the past 13 years, we have sent nearly 2,000 kids to Ivy League schools. We first help them figure out what they actually like: what’s their major going to be? What’s their application narrative or “hook”? Also, what are the social impact areas they care about? Maybe it’s AI safety, or climate change or animal rights.
From there, we ascertain the activities they need to be doing to reflect that profile. What competitions are they entering? (The Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest might be one.) How are they building leadership projects? It could be via a podcast, an app or a blog, for example.
Then, of course, we look at how they can strive to get the highest test scores possible, and other ways they can build their profile.
Our approach is a combination of time management, coaching, providing inspiration and introducing like-minded students from around the world. Over the course of three or four years, we’re then able to really “turbocharge” the student all the way up to getting the offer – and beyond, as they then become part of our alumni community.
What advice would you give students who are just starting to think about university?
Obviously, the earlier you start, the better; but I think the real foundation is nailing the academics. If you’re getting a lower grade in a certain subject, or you’ve got a few problem areas in your English literature studies or whatever it might be, you should start by nailing those basics. That is critical, because even if you do amazing extracurriculars, if your maths or English scores aren’t where they should be, things are going to be tough.
From there, ask yourself what your academic curiosities are, and what social impact areas you care about – most 14-year-olds aren’t sure about either of these things. And they don’t always come up and whack you in the face. You have to seek that motivational “kindling” – read the book that gives you the aha moment, or have a conversation with a mentor. Once you have your hook, you get inspired to try harder and aim higher, and you get better grades – and a whole cycle of motivation begins.
What about one piece of advice for a parent?
The world has changed dramatically since today’s parents were graduating, and there are whole new fields available to young people – being an AI researcher, to name one – and also different pathways for the best academic minds to take, like leaving college when you’re 22 to raise venture funding to build a company.
So, don’t put too much focus on a specific career path or university. Focus instead on creating a motivating, supportive environment at home where your children feel like you’re providing all the resources they need while they strive to get to where they want to be. If someone has a very different view about what their child is aiming for, that’s when friction can arise. Try to play the supportive “cheerleader” role.
A word from a parent
ROSANNE WONG is a Hong Kong entrepreneur, co-founder of Braces and Faces with her husband Dr Derek Baram, and former member of the Cantopop duo 2R. She’s also a mother of two sons and is currently navigating a UK university strategy for her eldest son Dylan.
Why can university applications be stressful for parents in Hong Kong?
Every Hong Kong parent wants the best for their child, and this creates an intensely competitive environment where everyone is striving to reach their potential. The constant pressure to ensure your child remains competitive amongst exceptionally hard-working peers creates stress. Kids themselves are stressed these days, too. So, I really hope parents seek help during the admissions process, so they don’t pass their own concerns to their children.
How has your journey been with your son’s UK applications?
In one way, we were lucky. Dylan was 14 when he told us he would like to follow his father’s career path. When your child is inclined to a career path, you can explore options with them earlier. So, our son got the chance to experience the day-to-day workings of a dental practice with daddy; he also saw that he would be able to lean on family expertise during his university studies. That’s the first step for parents: to get an insight into the path their children want to follow.
How did Crimson Education help?
Finding them was something of an epiphany. With other agencies, we felt tied up with so many emails and WhatsApp groups, but the Crimson app allows us to see everything we need to know, right at our fingertips. We can sign in and see how many tuition hours our son has logged, or whether he’s requesting help with an assignment or a chat with a consultant.
The team has also given Dylan dedicated, high-level support tailored to his needs. They’ve helped with choosing universities and subjects, they have motivated him, and they’ve clarified his thought processes. His consultant Simon has been like an academic big brother.
Any other tips you can offer our readers for their own journeys?
Firstly, start early and seek support. Secondly, put your child’s passion first – listen to them, and get to know what they want to do.
Find out more at hk.crimsoneducation.org.
This article on strategies for university applications first appeared in the Autumn 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest mag or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.
