My Ivy Education — Local services in Kenilworth

Ms. Dicristifalo could easily write technical manuals, but her voice is lacking which ironically makes her a terrible consultant for creative writing and personal statements that have meaning.

I initially hired Ms. Dicristifalo for college admissions consulting, hoping to receive expert guidance on navigating the complex admissions process. While I appreciated her editing skills and even mentioned in my review that I would be willing to pay $1200 an hour for her editing services, I unfortunately did not receive the clear or actionable advice I was seeking regarding the admissions process itself.

During our discussions, I asked for further guidance, only to be disappointed by her lack of familiarity with some basic details about Columbia University’s programs. In example, she seemed unaware that hybrid undergraduate / graduate courses are available to all undergraduates, a fact that is widely known to anyone familiar with the school. This raised concerns about her depth of knowledge in the field of college admissions. After offering constructive feedback, I was unexpectedly blocked from further communication, which I found unprofessional and unhelpful. At a rate of close to $600 an hour, professionalism is non-negotiable.

Additionally, Ms. Dicristifalo mentioned that she did not have time to volunteer in the admissions office, which is a standard step that most admissions officers take in order to gain firsthand experience before entering the field. She explained that her focus was entirely on her business, which I found unusual for someone offering admissions consulting services.

Another red flag was that I did not receive a formal contract or agreement outlining the scope of services or expectations nor was I offered a refund, which added to my concerns about the professionalism and structure of her business.

I was extremely surprised as she seemed overall personable in our interactions, which made the abrupt breakdown of communication even more unexpected.

Unfortunately, my experience with Ms. Dicristifalo did not meet my expectations, and I would advise potential clients to carefully consider their options before engaging her services.

7/3 Update: Read on Facebook because too...

Thanks to Krystle’s guidance, my children were accepted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. But more than the results, we are grateful for the wisdom and perspective they gained along the way. From start to finish, working with her was a true blessing, and I recommend her with all my heart!

I want to share my heartfelt gratitude to Krystle. Her wide-ranging knowledge has been such a gift, offering real support to students on many academic paths. What I admire most is that she is always learning and bringing fresh insights that help students move forward with clarity and confidence. Working with her isn’t just about college. It’s about absorbing her way of approaching life with curiosity and growth.

Krystle understands the college admissions process inside and out, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to connect with each student and tailor her guidance to their unique needs. Communicating with her has always been so easy. She listens carefully, responds quickly, and makes everything feel clear and manageable. And because she is always learning herself, you can talk with her about any subject and the conversation just flows.

When my children worked on their essays, Krystle listened to what they wanted to say, helped them draw out their own voices, and added color and life to their writing. My kids talked about how meaningful those conversations were. They told me they always felt encouraged and inspired. In the middle of a stressful application season, their time with Krystle was not only productive, but also joyful and truly special.

Endless...

Krystle is a wonderful mentor. Her process for teaching young people how to apply to schools is enriching and a lesson in and of itself. Working with Krystle is so much more than just a goal-oriented approach to besting the application process. It is about building skills that will be helpful for a lifetime. I felt that my children (and I!) walked away from sessions with Krystle, with a deeper understanding of everything from writing skills and communication techniques to organizational hacks and interview savvy. In Krystle’s succinct and compact hour-long sessions one learns how to get into college or high school but also how to succeed in life. I have no doubt that the skills Krystle taught will stay with my children as they pursue their educations, go to job interviews, prepare portfolios and more. Interacting with Krystle was always a pleasure and she took what could have been a chaotic, confusing and stressful time and transformed it into a calm and systematic approach that was inspiring and fun! And yes…our child got into her very selective, first choice program at a top university early decision! My only advice to people deciding whether or not to hire Krystle is to do it sooner rather than later. Our eldest started working with her at the end of junior year but with my two younger kids I’m going to start collaborating with Krystle during freshman year so that when college application time rolls around we are...