Sierra Valley College of Court Reporting

Jul 22nd, 2017

I agree with Elizabeth Valenzuela. I graduated years ago and all they wanted was money. They didn't even help me like they helped other students in job placement or even bother to talk to me about possibilities in other fields of work until I researched more. I am now having to spend more money and am attending a new school for this. They are awesome and don't make me feel unwanted. Sierra Valley will always have favoritism and are not very helpful. I don't recommend this school to anyone. The money is not worth the trouble and it is too expensive .
May 21st, 2016

Court reporting is hard. It's not for everyone. Sierra Valley College has turned out many, many court reporters over the years. Talk to them; don't listen to a bitter person who quit after reaching the 200 speed class. There are three graduating classes a year because the California state licensing exam is given three times a year. This November the school has eight graduates going to the CSR exam. Last November there were ten. That group all passed their written tests the first time, which are very rigorous exams: one in law and professional practice and one in English. Five of them passed the dictation exam the first time, which means that they received their CSR licenses right away. Of the group that went to the CSR in July of 2013, all four of them passed everything the first time. Most students do not graduate in two or three years. Plan on the program taking at least four, although if you attend class and transcribe every day and don't take any leaves of absence, it shouldn't take much more than that. There have been a few very talented students who have finished in less than two years, but don't expect that. There are currently three licensed court reporters on staff at SVC, but it's not easy to get court reporters to teach because they can make so much more money reporting. Although technology will someday make court reporters obsolete, that day is a long way off. Most judges and attorneys don't want to do without them. Go on the CCRB and CCRA websites for more information. Baby boomers are retiring and soon there won't be enough court reporters graduating to fill all the jobs. Now is a very good time to enroll in a court reporting program. Plan on spending about four years in the program and working very hard, but the rewards will be worth it.
Jun 14th, 2015

Please do not waste your time! It is expensive & not worth your money. Do your research. Ask students there if they recommend the school. More than 50% of them will not recommend it. Take my word. Look for other alternatives. I am from Visalia and found a school south bound in Shafter Ca. The price is absolutely worth it. The teachers here are always going above and beyond to help their students. Don't get me wrong Sierra valley has taught me some very helpful tips. I just would not recommend anyone to come here. The school director is very unprofessional, not to mention RUDE. He plays favoritism. He told me court reporting school wasn't for me. But I looked past that. I found a school who made me feel welcomed. I passed 3 tests in a week. I left Sierra valley because one, I didn't feel like I was a part of the school. They only care about money. Two, they never gave me half the chances they give other students. Which is unfair and like I said they play favoritism. I wanted to come back but they wanted me to pay out of pocket. They didn't care if I came back or not. I hear other students that left and they would ask them to stay and give them alternatives. That's okay though because thankfully I found Westec. Some teachers are excellent, they are very intelligent. I can give them that. Others do not even teach the class. They read word for word from the textbook or talk all period. Which is not equivalent to teaching. Anyone can do that. That school is full of drama! No one encourages one another. If you think about coming here do not say I didn't warn you. I left with more than $20,000 in just student loans. I came to Westec being in my 100's. After being out of school for 6-7 months within a month I passed out of my 100's and into my 120's here at Westec. So if you're from Fresno I will recommend taking the long drive. It's worth it. If you're from Hanford, Tulare, Lindsay, Visalia, etc I guarantee it's worth the drive. Each semester is $276. Financial aid is available. Do not make the mistake I made. If I could go back trust me I would. It would have saved me a lot of money! -former student at SVC
May 26th, 2015