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Actualize

Average Rating4.93
612 Reviews
1 Course

Actualize is an online software engineering bootcamp focused on both full stack web development and AI engineering, the skills for building software on top of large language models. Instructors with professional educational experience teach students relevant technologies, including Python, FastAPI, Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, ReactJS, LLM APIs (from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Hugging Face), and LlamaIndex. Students learn core AI engineering techniques such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), evaluation frameworks (evals), AI agents, and LLM observability tools.

The Online Live classes are conducted in real time with video conferencing. Actualize integrates a “Job Hacking” curriculum focused on personal branding and networking — skills they view as equally essential as technical training.

To apply, students can submit an application via the website and then interview with an admissions advisor. There are no coding challenges, but students must complete 5 weeks of prework before the live training starts.

After the program, students can continue to work with the career advisors to help with the job search process.

612 Actualize Reviews

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  • Lisa Daigle
    Lisa Daigle
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Apr 25, 2023
    Overall Experience
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    Curriculum
    Job Assistance

    Worth it!

    Last year, I spent a good amount of time on this website researching bootcamps. The reviews for Actualize influenced my decision to attend, as I read all of the encouraging testimonials of former students. Now that I completed the bootcamp, I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of positive reviews. 


    While the program was definitely challenging, the payoff was more than worth it. As someone with no prior experience in the field, I went into the bootcamp feeling a b...
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  • Nicholas Gonzalez
    Nicholas Gonzalez
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    Mar 31, 2023
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
    Curriculum
    Job Assistance

    Attentive and Technical Education

    I think the most important thing I can share about this course is that everyone I've met with cares deeply about your success. While not the most intense of a curriculum you could find, it was thorough and I feel prepared for the job search to come. I do strongly recommend coming in with some sort of knowledge about algorithms and basic computer science but it is not necessary, just my opinion.
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  • Dallin Forsyth
    Dallin Forsyth
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Mar 31, 2023
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
    Curriculum
    Job Assistance

    Attentive Hands-on Amazing Structure

    I took this course from dec-mar. Every interaction was just great. I definitely feel confident in finding a job now with the skills I have learned. They provide a job search coach you can meet with weekly after the boot camp if wanted. As well as a tech mentor coach you can meet with every week/every other week post boot camp to help you with projects and any insight. They taught me the need to know frameworks for the job market, and I couldn't be happier.
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  • annie hwang
    annie hwang
    Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    Mar 31, 2023
    Overall Experience
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    An amazing bootcamp

    I loved every second of this boot camp. The program itself is very hands-on and you learn a lot of valuable information. The people that you meet here are what really make this program worthwhile. Everyone here is so supportive and is just an amazing software-developing community that you can count on. They put a lot of emphasis on not just technical skills but also your well-being. I would definitely recommend this to a friend and a great way to kickstart your coding skills.
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  • Madeline Vogel
    Madeline Vogel
    Software Developer • Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Mar 31, 2023
    Overall Experience
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    Amazing Bootcamp!

    There truly isn't a better course for anyone looking for a software bootcamp! There is so much support from the beginning through your job search and beyond. Live instruction, amazing teachers and TA's, great career coaches, the list goes on and on. If you are at all considering a bootcamp, talk to Actualize. 
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  • Jared Harvick
    Jared Harvick
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Mar 30, 2023
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    Awesome experience!

    I decided to enroll in Actualize after hearing back from several grads on LinkedIn about how great of experience they had. I can gladly report they were not wrong. Actualize was an amazing program that I feel has given me an amazing foundation to launch my career in tech. They really care about their students and create an environment to help you succeed. 
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  • Jose Rodriguez
    Jose Rodriguez
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    Mar 30, 2023
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    I made the right choice


    I chose Actualize based on word of mouth, and it turned out to be the best choice for me. The people who work there genuinely care about you and your feedback, and they create a supportive environment that makes learning enjoyable. The curriculum is well-organized and covers all the necessary basics, with an easy-to-follow structure.However, I did find the front-end section of the curriculum to be quite challenging. There are so many details to keep track of that it can b...
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  • Jeffrey Rubin
    Jeffrey Rubin
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Feb 17, 2023
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    Phenomenal Experience

    The entire experience has been stellar. The pre-work moves fast, but once it changes to in-person attendance, it really turns into something special. The knowledge and skills gained will allow me to continue to learn far beyond the end of the class. From the instructors to the career counselors, everyone has been utterly wonderful. Highly recommend.
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  • Grace Manzon
    Grace Manzon
    Student • Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Nov 18, 2022
    Overall Experience
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    So worth it...

    From the start Actualize provided an enormous amount of transparency regarding the curriculum, student expectations, and the kinds of support they will provide. Everyone involved, my lead instructor, the TAs, our career advisor, all then exceeded expectations and made the experience extremely well-rounded. It happened really fast but I learned so much and feel that I not only have had the opportunity to build a strong foundation of knowledge but also learn so much about what my next step...
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  • Robyn Spaulding
    Robyn Spaulding
    Web Developer | Actualize Alumni • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Nov 18, 2022
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    Wonderful community, great instructional practices and career counseling

    Pros:
    -Great teaching practices and pacing. I learned so much from my instructor and TA's. They were encouraging and knowledgable allowing us to ask questions but also teaching us how to research on our own.
    -Super organized structure - coming from an education background I was so happy with the way the lessons were planned and executed. I was able to not only learn in class and ask questions, our classes published materials  are always available for  review if I get stuck while wo...
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  • Kade Illian
    Kade Illian
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Nov 18, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
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    Job Assistance

    The Most Comprehensive CS Bootcamp

    In my opinion, the best part of Actualize Bootcamp is the curriculum.  Coming out of the bootcamp, I feel extremely confident in my skills in both Rails and React.  In addition to these two primary frameworks, Actualize also teaches you skills like Git, SQL, Postgresql, and how to continue learning post bootcamp.  Overall, I would highly recommend this bootcamp to anyone who is looking to start their web development career.
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  • Jack Aubone
    Jack Aubone
    Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    Nov 18, 2022
    Overall Experience
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    Curriculum
    Job Assistance

    It was a great experience

    Glad I chose this bootcamp instead of my other options, you can tell these guys care about the outcome of their students. It was a good intensity level to keep you working hard consistently but not be overwhelming. 
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  • Jeremy Dimes
    Jeremy Dimes
    Full Stack Web Developer • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Nov 17, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
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    Absolutely above and beyond efficient

    Before attending Actualize Bootcamp I heard many bootcamps were not legit or worth the dollar. I heard through word of mouth that Actualize was very good. The reviews I read were pretty good as well. After attending Actualize I must say that it is one of my best experiences in education. Shout out my Instructor Peter Jang who is amazing and my career advisor Lisa Tucker who is awesome. Also CEO Jay Wengrow is great at what he does. All in all Actualize is great for beginners and experien...
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  • J Robinson
    J Robinson
    Web Developer • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Nov 17, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
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    Very Supportive Learning Environment

    The program at Actualize is so supportive. That was most important for me, there's always someone to talk too and coach you along. The instructors and counselors are really invested in your success not only as a student but a graduate as well! Highly recommend!
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  • Samuel Bacon
    Samuel Bacon
    Student • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Oct 07, 2022
    Overall Experience
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    Great supportive bootcamp!

    I am just graduating from Actualize. I was unsuccessful at another bootcamp, won't say their name "T... something" lol but was sent packing. I found Actualize online and was impressed with the reviews, particularly on how they pride themselves on being able to teach coding, not just do it! In fact their previous name was anyonecanlearntocode.com I think. But I think it's been great, the way they presented it has been carefully wrangled over, you can tell. I think another plus is that the...
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  • Nathan Brownstein
    Nathan Brownstein
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Oct 07, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
    Curriculum
    Job Assistance

    Positive, encouraging, and difficult

    This course is not easy. It has 5 weeks of pre-work, plus the actual course work. It's fast paced and won't slow down for you. However, it is a very supportive environment, one which doesn't require any prior knowledge of coding. If you are interested in coding as a job, and have the discipline to actually commit to the full time frame, I would say it is an excellent way to decide if you have the temperament to code as job. It also helps that the instructors are teachers, and not just co...
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  • Geoff Arner
    Geoff Arner
    N/A • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Sep 09, 2022
    Overall Experience
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    Highly Recommend

    I heard about this bootcamp from someone who had completed the course and said that it was great. I did some research and it had a better reputation than most of the other bootcamps I had looked at. I was impressed that it focused heavily on interaction and feedback between students and the small class sizes with two T.A.s. When I read one review about how they hire teachers, teach them to code, and use them as instructors I knew it was the right choice. I have to say it was intimidating...
    Report
  • EJ
    EJ
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Sep 09, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
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    Top-tier Educators

    I can't recommend this bootcamp enough. Excellent instructors, satisfying work, and it's a lot of fun. You receive ongoing support after the course ends, as well, which is a big help to the job search. If you're on the fence, just jump in, I'm so happy I made the decision to go to Actualize. 
    Report
  • Fernando Antelo
    Fernando Antelo
    Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Sep 09, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
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    Job Assistance

    Cannot recommend Actualize enough

    I had an awesome experience with Actualize. Everything went extremely well, from the application process to the class itself to everything they do for you after graduating. Amanda is an awesome instructor. She explains things so well and always helps reassure everyone of their progress. Going into this class, I had a small amount of coding knowledge from years prior, but I had no confidence that I would be able to learn all the skills on my own to be able to find a job in software develo...
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  • Geoff Arner
    Geoff Arner
    N/A • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Sep 09, 2022
    Overall Experience
    Instructors
    Curriculum
    Job Assistance

    Highly Recommend

    I heard about this bootcamp from someone who had completed the course and said that it was great. I did some research and it had a better reputation than most of the other bootcamps I had looked at. I was impressed that it focused heavily on interaction and feedback between students and the small class sizes with two T.A.s. When I read one review about how they hire teachers, teach them to code, and use them as instructors I knew it was the right choice. I have to say it was intimidating...
    Report

Actualize Alumni Outcomes

Recent Actualize News

Jess Feldman
Jess Feldman
Updated December 01, 2025
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Liz Eggleston
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Lauren Stewart
Lauren Stewart
Updated October 21, 2020
Jay Wengrow founded part-time web development bootcamp and apprenticeship program Actualize in Chicago in 2014 to make learning to code efficient and accessible. Now the coding bootcamp has campuses in New York and San Francisco, and in June 2017 they are launching their new online part-time program to further reduce barriers to entry into tech. We asked Jay about the format of the new onli...
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Updated March 31, 2016
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Actualize Alumni Reviews Summary

Overall Experience
4.9
Instructors
5.0
Curriculum
4.9
Job Assistance
4.8
Write A Review
More Information
Guarantees Job
Job Assistance
Includes Housing
Offers Corporate Training
Accepts GI Bill
Licensing
No
FAQs

How much does Actualize cost?

Actualize costs around $16,900.

What courses does Actualize teach?

Actualize offers courses like AI + Fullstack Engineering.

Where does Actualize have campuses?

Actualize teaches students Online in a remote classroom.

Is Actualize worth it?

Actualize hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 612 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize on Course Report - you should start there!

Is Actualize legit?

We let alumni answer that question. 612 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and rate their overall experience a 4.93 out of 5.

Does Actualize offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?

Right now, it doesn't look like Actualize offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.

Can I read Actualize reviews?

You can read 612 reviews of Actualize on Course Report! Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and rate their overall experience a 4.93 out of 5.

Is Actualize accredited?

No

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