America Mortgages and Crimson Education recently co-hosted an exclusive webinar discussing how international families can successfully navigate U.S. university admissions while making smart real-estate decisions. Donald Klip (DK), Co-Founder of Global Mortgage Group and America Mortgages, was joined by Matthew Ding (MD), Senior Strategy Consultant at Crimson Education, to explore the dual journey of academic preparation and property investment for families living overseas.
Q: What are the biggest misconceptions families in Asia have about Ivy League or top U.S. universities?
MD: The first misconception is that good grades alone are enough. They’re not. U.S. universities look for students with strong extracurricular profiles, uniqueness, and well-rounded applications. The second misconception is that more is better. Families sometimes believe that doing more APs, more clubs, or more volunteering will help. What matters most is a smaller list of high-quality, meaningful activities that truly reflect who the student is.
Q: Many students already have strong academics. How does Crimson help students find meaningful extracurricular opportunities?
MD: We start by identifying a student’s intended major or area of interest, then we examine gaps in their current profile. For example, if a student is strong academically but lacks community service or creative leadership, we focus there. Our mentors guide them in developing real projects—whether it’s building a website, founding an organization, or launching a social initiative—helping them plan and execute impactful extracurriculars that demonstrate initiative and authenticity.
Q: How do U.S. universities view students from Singapore and the wider Asia region?
MD: Admissions officers already assume Singaporean and regional students will have excellent academics. The challenge is standing out beyond that. Students here tend to excel at exams and competitions, but often lack unique, community-based extracurriculars. We encourage students to connect their activities to local issues—like Singapore’s hawker culture or public-housing communities—to show real engagement with their environment and differentiate themselves from purely academic applicants.
Q: With AI tools becoming more common in education, are universities changing how they evaluate applications?
MD: Definitely. The essay has become even more important. Admissions officers now pay close attention to language and tone, looking for vulnerability and genuine reflection. AI-written essays often sound impersonal. Universities can tell when something lacks authenticity. We strongly advise students not to use AI tools in their writing; genuine voice and honesty always stand out.
Q: DK, you mentioned a 450% return example. Was that net after interest payments, and is a 10–15% yield realistic?
DK: The example didn’t include mortgage or rental income—it simply showed compounded appreciation at 10% per year over four years. And no, 10–15% yields aren’t common in major coastal cities like New York or San Francisco, which have rent-control elements. But in smaller markets—especially in the South and Midwest—double-digit yields can occur. The point is that buying instead of renting can build significant equity while your child studies in the U.S.
Q: What is the cost of Crimson coaching over four years of high school?
MD: Each student’s needs are unique, so pricing varies depending on how much support is required—academic tutoring, extracurricular mentoring, or essay coaching. We start with a detailed consultation to assess strengths, gaps, and goals, then customize a package around that. Interested families can book a one-on-one evaluation to receive an exact quote.
Q: How can parents invest in U.S. property in good university towns without tying it directly to their child’s school?
DK: That’s a great question. U.S. real estate itself is one of the top three asset classes right now. There’s a massive housing shortage, and the reshoring of manufacturing is pushing labor mobility across several key states. These workers are long-term renters, which supports strong rental yields. So even if your child studies elsewhere, investing in a high-growth, university-anchored city can make solid financial sense. Feel free to contact me directly—we have detailed market data by region.
Q: My son plays competitive football and wants to study business—not necessarily at a Division I school. How can Crimson support athletes?
MD: We frequently work with student-athletes. In those cases, each student has two strategists—one for general admissions and another for athletic recruitment. The athletic strategist helps identify suitable schools, contact coaches, and manage the D1/D2/D3 recruitment process. Typically, the best time to begin is around Grade 10 or Year 11, when coaches begin scouting and relationships start to form.
Q: What is a fair rental yield near Ivy League universities?
DK: It depends heavily on location. Ivy League schools like Columbia or Penn are in major cities where yields may be 4–6%, while smaller towns such as Ithaca or Providence can see higher returns. For instance, one Boston property we’re representing offers about 6% gross yield. Generally, yields are higher in secondary or southern markets. The U.S. overall still has the highest rental yields among developed countries and strong long-term capital growth.
Q: For students in Singapore who must serve national service (NS), when should they apply to U.S. universities and begin with Crimson?
MD: The ideal approach is to apply during the regular timeline in Grade 12 before NS begins. Applying later—during or after NS—places students in the more competitive “gap-year pool.” Students should also check each university’s deferral policy; for example, UCLA and UC Berkeley typically don’t allow deferrals longer than a year. We recommend starting preparation by Grade 9 or 10 so everything is ready before NS service begins.
Q: Does taking a gap year help or hurt a college application?
MD: Generally, gap years can raise questions because many students take them after being rejected from their first-choice schools. However, a well-planned, meaningful gap year can help if it’s academically or personally enriching. Traveling is fine, but it should connect to something tangible—writing, research, community projects—so you can clearly explain how it added to your growth.
Q: DK, how do current economic and real-estate trends affect overseas parents buying U.S. property?
DK: It’s an excellent time to be a landlord. U.S. home supply remains tight, and affordability challenges mean many Americans must rent. This is pushing rental yields up across multiple states. Our bank—the only U.S. lender owned by an Asian company—specializes in helping overseas borrowers access these opportunities easily, without needing U.S. credit or deposits. We offer programs up to 80% loan-to-value and handle the process within 30–45 days, even signing documents at local embassies.
Q: What about the recent trend of attending “vibe schools”—smaller liberal-arts colleges—for experience rather than career outcomes?
MD: It depends on each student’s purpose. If the goal is career acceleration, elite schools like Harvard or Stanford still open doors to top consulting or finance roles. But for students seeking exploration and personal growth, liberal-arts colleges such as Pomona, Williams, or Claremont McKenna offer exceptional undergraduate experiences and close faculty mentorship. Studying abroad itself remains an invaluable experience—it builds independence, global networks, and perspective that are hard to replicate at home.
Final thoughts?
DK: It was a fantastic discussion. For families beginning this journey, now is the best time to plan—both academically and financially. Investing in your child’s education and in U.S. property can work hand-in-hand.
MD: Likewise, every student is unique. Start early, plan strategically, and seek the right guidance to make your child’s university dreams a reality.
