#Finding a 3-12 Month Programming / Hacker Bootcamp
Disclaimer: if you are serious about a programming / hacker bootcamp know that theses schools are for people who have been playing with code & programming for a while now. They are at the point of learning where they need help closing the gap on the last 1/4 mile of the race. Many of these programs are not for beginners. The promises, guarantees and job potential may entice you but they are often disengenous. The majority of these programs admit less than 20% of applicants. To get started I suggest: codeschool.com + teamtreehouse.com + codeacademy.com.
After working towards a minor in visualization + graphic design, dabbling in freelane work and trying to teach myself code on the web using google, stackoverflow, teamtreehouse.com & other resources, I was ready to find another way. And before I knew it I found myself stumbling down a path programming bootcamps. First, I asked myself what / where are there short-term (3-12mo) development bootcamps/academies around the world? luckily i hit the jackpot on this quora post.
I've found the reviews of bootcamps interview processes and course experiences to be highly lacking so I'm doing this for you, that girl or that guy trying to figure out whats good, whats great and whats a waste of your time.
I applied to Flat Iron School, Hack Reactor, Maker Square, Startup Institute & Code Fellows. These are the progarms I considered the best -in no particular order. Dev Bootcamp and others are highly respected as well but these are simply the ones I choose.
Flat Iron School cost// $12000 course// front-end + iOS applied// front-end length// 3 month requirements// know css + html + JS applpication// basic info interview #1// application process took a frustratingly long time (8+ weeks). 3 part interview process. 1st is a personal sykpe interview. code challenge// build a tic tac toe game interview #2// next is technical code review + interview. I was interview by both Avi and Adam of FIS -nice guys. accepted// No -- no biggie but they didn't let me know I wasn't accepted up till 3 weeks before the course started. Being from TX It'd be really difficult to move to NYC on 3 weeks notice.
Hack Reactor cost// $17000 course// JS length// 3 month application//solve a basic javascript problem, earn an interview interview #1// 3 easy JS problems. The interviewer was really nice and calming. Walked me through a problem I struggled with. You have to prepare for their interview and you really need a good relationship with JS. This program is really for jr. developer types which is why it is oftern considered the "stanford" of bootcamps. code challenge// build a functional app using js. very difficult for me. interview #2// Hard JS problems. I couldn't do these problems. You have to ramp up your JS knowledge from interview 1 to 2. I would love to go here. The cost is irrelevant because you are in session more hours than all the other bootcamps. Per hour it is actually less than most. If you can get in good luck! accepted// no
Maker Square cost// $12000 course// Ruby + JS length// 3 month applpication// basic info interview #1// personal interview interview #2// technical interview in ruby. you need to complete the codeacademy ruby track. the interview literally pulls their questions from the lessons the ask you to complete. it is simple. accepted// no
Startup Institute cost// $5500 course// front-end + back-end + others applied// front-end length// 3 month application// basic info + example of some programming application / website / work you have done interview #1// I skyped with the program manager Brent who was amazing. We really connected and it was refreshing to hear someone ask me what I wanted to get out of a program like his and how he could help me reach my end goal. After checking out my portfolio he asked me to sign up for the second interview. interview #2// I skyped with the co-founder Shaun who was amazing as well. Overall, my favorite people I talked too. Shaun's philosophy was if you can demonstrate your ability to make something, then you have the aptitude to learn what they teach. accepted// yes
Code Fellows cost// $10000 bonus// job guarantee** course// iOS + UX + JS+ ruby + python applied// UX length// 3 month application// basic info interview// sykpe interview with the founder will. was a very short interview > 5 minutes. I showed them my portfolio and they qualified me onto a coding challenge. I had been suffering from a migrane the day before so I wasn't in my most talkative of states but I would've liked to ask more questions about the program. note: they have extensive documentation that answer most general questions about the program code challenge// convert a static image into a live website accepted// yes
So now I'm faced with choosing between both programs. I really loved the people at Startup Institute but I really liked the idea of a UX program which it seems no one has offered before. I also despise cold weather and I worship the west coast. That essentially made my decision 10x easier. I slept on it, flipped a coin and decided I'm moving to Seattle.
**no one can guarantee you a job. if you are a nice person who likes to work hard and learn new things, codefellows can help you land a job.