Java

Simply life changing!!!

Zip Code was a hard and intense program, but for where I am now and the new friends I made, it was well worth it! The course is designed with corporate partners in mind, they are 100% career oreinted (they will not stop connecting you with job openings as long as you stay commited with them!) and the teachers are supportive, fun, and masters at what they do. If you are feeing intimidated, thats normal! It is a hard program, but its not impossible. From someone who almost say no to this experience for every xyz reason, I'm so happy I went through with it because now I have a wonderful career as a software developer and an awesome alumni network to find support in. When you join Zip Code Wilimington, you aren't joining another coding bootcamp your taking the first steps to living out your full potential!  Take a chance on yourself and apply to Zip Code Wilmington! You will not be dissapointed! 

Zip Code was the best and hardest experience of my life. The interview process and the program are both very challenging and intense but, if you are determined and motivated to succeed, Zip Code provides you with the opportunity that is needed to learn how to code proficiently and to find a career in software development. The best parts of Zip Code are the connections you make with cohort peers, staff, alumni, and professionals in the tech field and its curriculum not only helps you to be a great programmer but helps you become a better you. It truly is a special and unique bootcamp.

I did not have a background in coding (I came from the education field) but I was serious about making it into Zip Code, graduating, and finding a programming job. So, I took a year to save money and to study for the entrance exam. I would recommend a similar approach to any person serious about applying.

Zip Code Wilmington is much more than a crash course in software development. In addition to the technical knowledge and professional guidance that the staff strives to provide each and every student with (which redefined my expectations for bootcamps in general), students are also introduced to a network of developers, consisting of both alumni and professionals (and both, for that matter). The overall experience was incredibly challenging, as attendees are expected to go from presumably no experience in the industry to a professional level in three months. But the staff really helps to both instill confidence and reassure individuals throughout the process.  I liked coding before I started, but by the end of the program it became a passion of mine. I owe a big part of that to this experience, and I hope to see this wonderful program gain traction. I now have a job doing what I love at a great company with awesome people. While I credit a good portion of that to hard work, it would not have been possible without Zip Code. If you're genuinely interested in software development and a career in the industry, I can't recommend this program enough.  

As a graduate from the most recent Java Bootcamp cohort, I can absolutely say that Zip Code Wilmington helped change my career and life. Not only did the program help me find a job in software development, but it also gave me the confidence to succeed in it. Although I still have much to learn (over many years I hope!), Zip Code Wilmington gave me a great foundation.

Curriculum:

ZCW teaches the fundamentals of programming clean, testable code in several technologies including Java and JS, with introduction and exposure to frameworks like Angular, and middle-tier development with Spring. Simply put, this was the only bootcamp I could find online that focused on Java and gave a solid foundation of Spring. Why is it important? Most employers are looking for experience in both! My only comment for improvement? More labs!

Instructors:

The instructors were phenomenal. They are there all the time, ready and willing to help. They put in incredible amounts of prep work. But they will not spoon feed you! It is up to you to work hard, and ask for help! I only remark here that some instructors may not be as used to teaching in a classroom setting as others. But when I came to ask for one-one-one help, not only did their incredible knowledge and experience shine, they very quickly resolved my issues and bettered my understanding of material. Tariq has done a fantastic job organizing a team of instructors and developing a curriculum that will help graduates succeed in their careers.

Job Assistance:

Melanie is awesome. Full-stop. Not only did she cover important and subtle details about applying for jobs and interviewing. She helped organize weekly speakers, provided MANY networking opportunities, and put in an incredible amount of work to help us. Again, she can't get a job for you, but she will provide you every opportunity!

One more note: Yes you will be working 85+ hrs/week, at least. Yes you will feel stupid at times. Yes you it is hard. But if you put in the work, you WILL succeed.

From a stay at home mom with a science background , to a software engineer in 3 months ....... sounds almost impossible! But that's my story  ! 
This was my dream , I was not sure how I would achieve it , given the big gap in my career , but Zip Code Wilmington made that almost impossible dream, come true.  

Zip Code Wilmington is not for the weak and faint hearted ! It is an intense 12 week bootcamp which challenges you daily and will push you to the limits , you never knew you could survive . But they don't just push, they help you and guide you and encourage you in every possible way. They have a wonderful set of extremely talented faculty and staff members who are always available 7 days a week /24 hours a day with advice, training, any help , even a hug ! Another very valuable asset of Zip Code is the ever helpful Alumni. Their help, advice and encouragement is so valuable. They help us any time we need help with assignment or any learning . They grill us and prepare us with countless rounds of mock interviews . Their advice helped us during Zip Code and even after that ! Today at my work place our Alumni are still our mentors, always available for advice and help. 

I am thankful to all the faculty and staff for believing in me, encouraging me and supporting me in every possible way .  
Zip Code Wilmington made me realize that, if we have the desire to achieve a goal and are willing to work hard, nothing is Impossible. My motto during the whole 12 weeks was "Failure is not an Option". Zip Code Wilmington challenged us daily and taught us skills that helped us  excel at interviews and get multiple job offers ! 
I don't have adequate words to express my gratitude to this wonderful group of educators and staff who work tirelessly to help us achieve our dreams ! 

Joining ZipCode was absolutely the best decision that I have ever made  !

I entered Zip Code having worked in general construction and labor, and 4 months later I am fully employed as a software engineer.
It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. The community of alumni and students is amazing, the support system that is in place at Zip Code is one of the only reasons I was able to make it through such a gruely course.
I feel that what really separates Zip Code from any other Coding Camp is the way they prepare you for jobs - Interview training, resume reviews, talks with industry specialists and job recruiters. The support from the staff from day one to prepare us for what it takes to get a job in this industry was amazing.

Disclaimer:
5 days a week in the class room, 10-12 hours per day, including Saturday and Sunday at home...it was intense, but worth every minute. You will be worked hard, instructors will not hold your hand and spoon feed you information, but with determination and hard work - you will change your life in a few months.
 

This course is hard. I enjoyed the community and the resources that were available to me while in the program. Being a visual learner, I would have liked to start with design patterns and then learn the technologies. The instructors do not hold your hand through this course so to be successful and truly retain all that you will learn over the 12 weeks you must be very vocal. Ask a lot of questions. If you clam up when you feel stumped then you'll get left behind quickly. This isn't for the light-hearted, this is a real boot camp. It will prepare you for the work force but it is meant to break you down and then build you back up. Some people don't recover from the break down. This will challenge you to the core of your being. You may question life itself. If you persist you will succeed. What are you waiting for?

Zip Code Wilmington has fully lived up to my expectations. Less than two weeks after my final day of class, I accepted a job offer as a full-time software developer at a great company.

The instruction was phenomenal. There's a lot that can be achieved through self-learning, but what's more difficult is knowing what to learn. Zip Code really came through in that regard, as they teach you all the specific skills and technologies that you need to be successful as a full-stack developer today.

Most impressive of all is the employment assistance aspect of the program. Before applying to Zip Code, I considered a few other bootcamps but ultimately chose against them because I got the impression that you were more or less on your own after graduating. I have a friend who attended one of them, and echoed this sentiment. This is not the case with Zip Code Wilmington. They have staff focused solely on building relationships with employers, helping you with your resume and soft skills, and ultimately getting you hired. They will continue working with you until you get a job. The support is amazing, and I would be surprised if there were another bootcamp out there that went nearly as far in this respect.

A bit of advice I would give to prospective students is to come in with as much coding experience as you can get from places like Codecademy. The more you know going in, the easier it will be.

As far as I can tell, Zip Code Wilmington offers the best cost/benefit ratio of any bootcamp out there, and if you have the opportunity to go, go.

If I had to pick one area that Zip Code has some room to improve, it would be the lectures. While they do provide tons of very practical and well-designed hands-on training, a few of the lectures were poorly delivered. In other words, although the instructors are highly qualified technically, and are wonderful to work with one-on-one, I sometimes had great difficulty paying attention during lecture. Don't let that detail deter you though. The overall experience was incredible.

I will admit when I first heard about Zip Code, I had a hard time believing the claims. I was told that in addition to the instruction, each student was paired with a developer already in the industry to receive tutoring and mentorship. I had spent months looking for jobs without any success, and I was desperately looking for somebody to help me and give me advice. 

It turns out that the above claim was a bit off -- each student is actually given access to not one, but a great number of both school alumni and industry leaders. The team at Zip Code does an incredible job of maintaining contact with their alumni. I really feel like part of a family here. 

It's all true. Zip Code not only teaches you how to code, but everything you need to know in order to join the workforce. This includes training on everything from how to shake hands to multiple full length mock interviews (both personal and technical). At the end, dozens of hiring managers came to Zip Code, eager to hire us. Isn't that crazy? Four weeks into my new job, I still have a hard time believing that it happened. I am so grateful for Zip Code, and recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who is interested in becoming a software developer. 

Zip Code provided me with the opportunity I needed to learn how to code at a professional level and jump start a career in application development. The program is very intense, and provides a greate learning experience. Most of all, you learn a lot about your own self.

Zip Code Wilimington was an amazing experience for me. The program gave me a chance to reinvent myself. I did not have any previous coding experience before the bootcamp, infact my background was in professional soccer and I was able to successfully land a job. The environemnt at Zip Code is very conducive for learning, you are able to be your true self and you become a family. The teachers, mentors and all of the students want you to do well and are willing to help you whenver you need it. I would recommend Zip Code to anyone who loves problem solving and has the willingness to learn regardless of your current career or background. 

Like the other students attending Zip Code Wilmington, I decided to make a change to my career. Once I realized that I was interested in coding and problem solving through software development, I chose Zip Code for a few reasons - its company sponsor support and the success of its alumni.

Say goodbye to your family and friends for three months. They are not kidding when they say that you will be doing 100 hour weeks here! The course is pretty rigorous and fast-paced and there is always some new challenging lab or assignment for you to do. The curriculum closely follows what companies are looking for you to do on the job.  We spanned the full stack with the topics and labs we were given.

During the program, developers from various companies came in twice a week to present some topic or aspect of technology they were working on. It's amazing having the companies come to you to network. Some of these same speakers participate during interview week. The Zip Code Wilmington staff did an excellent job of lining up and bringing in the presenters.

The alumni are another great part of Zip Code Wilmington. They come by after work and on weekends to help get you through your projects. I saw alumni representing all the cohorts, not just the one before mine. There is a real sense of community at Zip Code.

After the course ended we had a week of intense technical interviews. Having the companies come to you for interviews is fantastic! In my opinion this reduces the risk of getting people interested in even looking at your resume after 3 months of coding. 

Overall, the experience was intense and there was great camaraderie within the cohort as we all worked hard to get each other over the finish line. I would recommend Zip Code Wilmington to anyone who's willing to put in the time commitment and is looking to change their career and give themselves a chance of being seen and interviewed by companies in the area. 

Zip Code Wilmington has given me a chance to do what I always have wanted to do in my life which is be a programmer. It has given me the tools that I need to accelerate my career and be able to make a difference in the programming community. Not only technology tools but also the professional skills as well. I remember coming into the program thinking how hard could this possibly be, I've coded before, I shouldn't have to sweat it. But, actually being immersed in the code and the different techniques I found it to be challenging but very enjoyable and up-to-date. Zip Code isn't for the faint of heart but if you get the chance to be apart of this amazing program, don't hesitate and take the leap.

Completed the three-month bootcamp from January to March 2017.  Following graduation, successfully secured job as Java application developer with partner company.  This course provided instruction in the areas of core Java, relevant frameworks including Spring, as well as front end development using the Angular 2/ Ionic 2 frameworks.  The level of instruction and immersion has proven to successfully prepare graduates to land a job in the industry, and continue to grow and excel in their careers.  

This was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to go to a place that allowed me to jump right in and code all day every day. It was intense and stressfull at times, but worth every minute. Putting in the hard work pays off. You won't find another place that allows you to learn so much and have experience in such a short amount of time. 

I am a parent of a ZIPCODE Wilmington student who is starting the final month of the 3 month program.   Once a software engineer myself I can see the transformation my son is going through and the excitement he exudes on a daily basis.   We talk extensively on his in-school experiences at length almost daily and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be successful after graduation.   What zipcode is teaching them goes beyond what a normal four year curriculum would provide and in a shorter time frame, truly amazing.    ZIPCODE Wilmington is a life altering experience and I am truly thankful for all those involved that makes this happen.   Thanks and keep up the good work.

I have been working full time for the last 5 years.  I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up with the quick pace of a bootcamp.

Every day has been engaging and challenging, but the instructors have always found a way to focus on the important concepts and give every student the attention they need to grasp those concepts.

I am very happy with my decision to join this bootcamp.  I am not able to rate the job assistance aspect yet, but I will update this review later.

DISCLAIMER: this review will be updated in 2 months' time.

To the point: 8 weeks in and I've loved to hate every week. A large number of Zip code alumni live and work in Wilmington DE. From day one, students are aware that Zip code's placement statistics are not mythical. Each day at least 5 unique alumni are in the building mentoring current students. Each week, we get at leat 3 hourlong talks from senior devs at Zip code's hiring partners. One of the hiring partners actually conducts lessons each Friday where they teach us some interesting part their technology stack.

After years of failed attempts at learning programming on my own I decided to go back to school for my second bachelors in computer science. As I prepared to enter a CS program, a friend of mine who has a CS degree told me about Zip Code Wilmington.

With tuition costs at a fraction of a bachelors degree, and an impecable reputation I decided to go for it. Applying to Zip Code Wilmington proved to be a total game changer for me. Zip Code Wilmington prepares its students to take on real-world challenges by refining students critical thinking skills, in-depth coverage of in-demand languages, strict enforcement of industry standards, as well as projects designed to challenge students while building their skillset. They also take job-placement seriously with plenty of networking events and opportunities, resume assistance, elevator pitch assistance, and mock interviews. 

Not only does Zip Code Wilmington have an exceptional professorial staff, curriculum and employment opportunities for students, but they are also deeply involved in the tech-community. Zip Code students don't just join an educational institution, they merge into a culture and community of innovators determined to thrive and empower each other.