When we started Sierra, we knew we had to break the flawed mold set by other admissions companies. 

For one thing, we didn’t want to be big. 

Big companies have a bad reputation for a reason. They employ mostly contractors, many of whom have never set foot inside an admissions office. 

Many of the biggest firms make money by “washing” their clients and their staff. It’s a three-step program… 

First, they use high-pressure scare tactics in sales calls, pushing clients to sign up on the spot or risk “losing a spot in the class.” 

Second, they bait-and-switch. That former admissions officer you met with in the sales call? She disappears after the first few meetings. 

Third, they pair you with an editor with little to no direct admissions experience who finishes out your contract. 

(These editors are paid so little that they frequently churn out in the middle of an admissions season.)

It’s a business model that relies on predatory contracts, high volume turnover, and low pay for employees. Is it a coincidence that these same companies are also the ones that push the most hacky, unethical, exploitative approaches to the college admissions process? 

(Answer: No.) 

So we didn’t want to be a big firm. But we also didn’t want to be too small. 

Small firms—one or two people—often can’t keep their sh*t together. They lack the space to build processes and resources that make things smooth. 

And if your consultant gets the flu, who steps in? 

Small firms also miss out on new admissions trends and information. You need a team with experience at many different institutions of higher education to really get a full picture. 

So we set our sights on hitting the “goldilocks zone” of college consulting companies. 

We have five full-time team members who divide their time working with seniors and younger students. 

Everyone is on the lookout for new admissions information—and we constantly write on the admissions process to make that information available widely.

Our team is small enough that it’s impossible to lose track of a single student… And we don’t overload consultants. So they can take a personalized approach with each student. 

Size matters when it comes to picking an admissions team. We’ve worked hard to find the right balance of team diversity and intimacy. It’s what our clients know us for. 

Here’s why one recently went with us:

I am looking for small firms (less than 10) that have experience working with students in the Bay Area.  I really resonated with your mission statement and desire to find a school that is good for a student, not simply a good school.

If what you’ve read here resonates, we recommend grabbing our “how to pick a college consultant” spreadsheet. 

It helps you sort through the different types of firms out there with some questions you should ask any consultant you interview. 

Otherwise, you might want to read about our Bay Area experience or the extensive work we do to demystify college admissions for everyone. 

Want to know more about our approach to college admissions? Take a look at our philosophy about college admissions. Our team page is also a great resource to meet the faces of Sierra and learn a bit more about what makes us special. Or if you have specific questions about our work, methodology, or logistics, our FAQ page is a great place to start.