Front-End Javascript Developer Immersive

You're likely only going to receive assistance with employment if you take the Java class and live near St Louis, MO. Javascript class seemed thrown together at the last second and I was given a transcript for the Java class because they didn't have anything prepared for Javascript. Staff stopped replying to me after the 4th incorrect transcript was sent to me. 

Now that it had been more than a year with no full-time employment as a developer, I will share my experience during my time with Claim Academy. The first red flag to start with was when I was filling out the documentation for financing. At the time of my application, they advertised their "pay after you get the job" only for them to pressure you into paying the school in full by their Climb Credit loan. Looking back at it, I should have never taken the loan as I am paying $400 a month and living paycheck to paycheck with the promise and hopes of receiving a software engineer job. I was also promised a scholarship in which I never received or had any documentation of receiving the scholarship.As far as studying there, We had a fantastic instructor in the JavaScript program. Although he may not be teaching at Claim anymore, he made the course equally challenging and exciting. The biggest problem I had with the course as I was part of the first Full-stack JavaScript students at Claim which made the course structure challenging as far as the amount of time needed for each subject. Our JavaScript class could have greatly benefitted from more mentors/teacher assistants. We had a mentor in the program, but he did not join us until the middle of the program. We could also benefit from more time on our final capstone project as the project was very important to our future when we present to employers. I felt like I did not get adequate time to work on the capstone project as I have gone to build higher-quality projects immediately after graduation to replace the capstone project on my resume. One thing I noticed was anyone that who wanted to unenroll from Claim was pressured into staying, so they wouldn't have to refund a certain amount of their tuition according to their refund policy. Another issue was the class schedule made it nearly impossible to keep a full-time job. Even if you were part-time, they would talk you into studying full time in the middle of the program.When they handed us our transcript after graduation, I noticed they added subjects to our transcript that we "learned" even though we have never been taught on those subjects. Examples were Transcript, Firebase, etc. They also claimed that their program is worth college credit, however, the validity of that is currently in review.The worst part about the program was after I graduated from the program. They claimed the employers that we presented our final project to would contact us however when I followed up with a lot of the employers that were present during the presentation, they replied that I did not have enough experience that they need. When we had our original Engagement Manager, he worked very hard to follow up with us and made sure that our resume and interview skills were up to par. After he has left, there has been a revolving door of Engagement Managers that we would have very little if any contact to. Although they claimed to "be there for you every step of the way and get you on to interviews with big companies" they have not followed up with any opportunities. You get invited to join an alumni group on the Basecamp app only for them to recommend any job rather it required 5-7 years of experience or relocate to cities outside of Saint Louis. The only jobs I was contacted for were for Java instead of JavaScript.Back on February 10th, they have reached out to see if I can send them my offer letter that I received for a small 4-month freelance project I completed through a personal connection. I have mentioned I did not receive an official emailed offer as we have agreed to the contract in person. I also used the email to express my concerns with Claim Academy as the only time Claim has followed up in several months was to get details about my contract position. Claim has chosen not to respond to my email and has not contacted me since I express my concerns. The biggest concern I have mentioned to them as I paid a premium tuition rate in hopes of the premium learning experience, support after graduation, and potential opportunities with companies that they have "great relationships" with. I have peers with similar backgrounds that have graduated from other programs that were either free or cheaper and have received full-time employment opportunities. My advice to anyone considering Claim Academy is to do your research for other programs as there are more affordable options that provide the same or better experience than Claim Academy and would treat their students as students instead of a number. I recommend considering schools such as LaunchCode or Savvy. If you decide to pursue your education with Claim Academy, do not use their financing. Ask them about their "pay after your first job" if they still offer it. Do not make the same mistake as I did thinking you will get your first tech job quickly.