App Academy

Honestly, it's not as hard as everyone makes it sound. Yes, you do have to put in work, but you will do great if you aren't lazy.  They literally give you EVERYTHING that you need to succeed in the bootcamp. This has been the most beneficial experience I have ever had. You learn at an outstanding rate, and the TAs really care about your success. After you are done with the bootcamp, you definitely feel job ready and feel like you can learn anything. The assessments aren't hard. They give you a practice assessment that is almost identical to the actual assessment, so don't let that turn you away. The big class sizes are NEVER an issue. I actually ended up liking the class size a lot because it gives you the opportunity to pair program with many different personalities. The worst thing about the bootcamp is CSS because it almost feel neglected, but honestly if you watch like 3-5 YouTube videos on it you will be good. Overall, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't come here if it is an option. Try your very best to get in because it's worth it. 

App Academy is no joke when it comes in terms of workload and material that that it expects its students to learn. That being said App Academy does its best to provide you with the tools for success if you're looking to make the switch to software engineering. The culture at App Academy is definitely a great one and there was good camaraderie among my cohort mates and the instructors. Coming from a non-technical background I felt that this program would be impossible but if you're willing to dedicate yourself than you will come out with learning how to do something that you didn't think was possible.

This program is no joke. If you want to learn everything you need to get started as a software developer with help from a number of staff who have been in your shoes before and classmates who are constantly there to support you this is it. This is a fantastic opportunity but it is not one you can take lightly. You have to plan to work HARD spending 12+ hours a day, including weekends, just trying to keep up with the curriculum (its called a bootcamp for a reason). Of course the experience and amount of effort needed may vary depending on how much you've learned ahead of time but simply knowing a language or two will not get you far and i'm speaking from experience as someone who studied Ruby HTML/CSS and Javascript ahead thinking it would help me through the program. It did... For maybe 2 weeks and a few days scattered throughout the 16 week long program.

Its a tough program for sure but if you devote all of your time and energy to it from start to finish you come out feeling fantastic with a strong support system of friends and staff who are all helping you to start your new career path as a software developer. So be ready.

App Academy was probably the best decision I ever made.  I really wanted to learn how to code, and was unsure of what was the right move for me.  There are a ton of coding boot camps out there, especially ones where recruiters will consistently try to rope you in.  No, not App Academy; their acceptance rate is really low and to get in is a privilege.

While studying for App Academy (their jump start program - which was free); I learned a lot about programming.  Within two weeks, I knew how to code in Ruby and solve algorithm problems!  I was really excited to find out about all that I would learn (if and) when I got in.  Fast forward through the smooth-sailing admissions process, I entered App Academy on my first day and met a lot of great people who later became some of my closest friends!  I did not realize how hard, and intense the program would be.  There were times where I wondered if I could keep up and make it through the program (there definitely were people who got dropped - and I think it's because they didn't take it as seriously, not because they were lacking the smarts) but the teachers and my fellow peers were extremely supportive.  You never realize how much you could learn, and App Academy fosters the right culture and environment for that.

I would say that the only drawback was that sometimes the curriculum seemed a bit outdated, and the instructions weren't as clear.  But even with those kinks, we learned how to work around this which challenged us as developers (to find solutions when we were unsure of what to do). 

Anyway, I would say moving towards the end, you will find yourself feeling like a brand new person.  The alumni community is great - people who have graduated from here will talk to you on LinkedIn.  There is a sense of pride and community amongst the AA grads :) 

All the reviews I read online about App Academy said it was going to be intense, and they were not wrong!  I was a complete newbie to the developing world when I started the App Academy journey.  It meant that I had to stay on top of the reading materials and homework every single day (including weekends).  It is a rigorous program and there is no time for you to stop and take a breather.  You just have to keep going.  But at the end I realize there is a method to this madness.  Concepts did become clearer as I moved on.  The teachers in my cohort were very supportive throughout the whole program.  There was no question too small or too big.  They were always ready to answer any questions or discuss any issues I brought up.  The pair-programming part of the curriculum is also a crucial part of the students' success.  Once you're done with this program, you know how to explain your code and communicate with your peers really well.  I highly recommend App Academy to anyone who is interested in software developing and is ready to dedicate themselves to learning in an intensive environment.

App Academy's program was one of the most challenging things I have personally done but I think it's all for good reasons. When I decided to make this big decision and pursue not only my passion to become a Software Engineer but also a better financial opportunity I knew it wouldn't be easy.

Pros:
- Peer programming really helps you work with others and explain your thoughts better
- The curriculum and technologies were set up in a way to prepare you for building full stack projects
- The Teachers and T/A's are all amazing programers who have their own skills and understand the workload
- I've always felt like I was well supported
- You build relationships with other students in your cohort through daily peer programing and group projects
- At the end of the program you truly feel like a Software Engineer

Cons:
- The program requires anywhere from 90 - 100 hours a week this often means even after class hours you will be spending time to make sure you understand the material so you don't get left behind. This is only a con because it can be really hard to adapt to this change and not get burnt out but as I said in the pros there will be support.
- Some of the materials or readings need to be updated but since they are switching the whole curriculum up I'm sure this will be addressed.

I loved app academy. At my time there we covered a lot of stuff very quickly, but with dedication I made it. I honestly believe that their base knowledge of computer science and the underlying understanding of how a language works is what got me my job. The way they made you understand stuff using a broad range of teaching mediums really helped me remember and understand the purpose of the languages themselves. It was very challenging (even after you graduate), but worth the high price tag. 

I won't need to wax poetic about the great things about this program, as many other below have already done so. 

Nonetheless, there are two aspects of this program that set it apart from others. First, this curriculum is structured around almost-everyday pair programming. As an introvert I hated this part, but upon graduation I understand now that we've developed important interpersonal skills - soft skills that I believe will make or break your chances of hire, whether during interview or when evaluating culture-fit. By pairing every day, we can easily drop into any team, or lead one as needed.

Second, the career support is incredible. While my friends at other bootcamps shared their experiences with me as "they just give you the resources but you're on your own", I've found that App Academy invests a lot of time in making sure we're not just being left out to dry. The large network and multiple partnerships with companies really gives you a leg up on the job search.

All in all, be prepared to socialize a lot, be prepared to put in 90-hour weeks (which is NOT an exaggeration; I've attempted to do less and have suffered for it), and the rewards will be incredibly fruitful.

It was personally the hardest thing I had ever done. I just completed the course on April 3rd, and I can say that looking back it was a positive experience, but it did not feel that way throughout most of the curriculum. First of all, you need to be at a certain level to even get into the course. Depending on the person, if you are brand new I could imagine this being an extreme struggle, which is why I say it depends on the person. I know that some of my cohort mates started coding a few weeks before the curriculum and they were brilliant. Not everyone that attends app academy is a genius most are just regular folks who have a passion for code and work hard. There were definitely a few classmates that were leagues above everyone else, don't feel bad about it, instead try and learn as much as you can from them. That, along with the T/A's who helped teach the program, was the best part about the program. App academy puts you in an environment where if you legitimately put in the work, and ask as many questions as you can along the way, you have the ability to become a full stack engineer. The TA's that taught my course were amazing, they were leaps and bounds better than any college professor that I ever had, and never once made me feel like I asked a stupid question.  You will literally be bombarded with material though, especially once the course switches to javascript/react/redux. Close to everything that you end up using on your full stacks was taught in the last month of the main course. Switching from ruby to javascript is hard and the switch is extremely fast, you get two weeks studying javascript fundamentals and then you're off to react and redux. I thought this was a little strange, due to the fact that I rarely use ruby anymore.  But just keep asking questions and reviewing the material and you will be fine. In closing, your success or failure in the course is entirely on you, app academy isn't a magic place that turns out software engineers you have to work your ass off. Be prepared for that, even though I can't imagine how you would prepare yourself for the demands of app academy, you just have to do it to understand. 

The first four weeksIt was a great first 4 weeks of the course since we met for half days (perfect for adjusting to the course work followed).Pair programming was a bit awkward. You are required to type for someone else for 15 minutes while they talk you through their strategy, then you switch and you are responsible for talking them through the strategy. Now finished with the course, I do see the benefit of it so make sure you are doing it.The next 21 weeks. (normal "office" hours)Full day programming (my schedule was 10am to 1:15pm morning lectures/programming, 1:15-2:30 lunch, 2:30-4:45 pair programming, 4:45-5:00pm break, then 5-7pm more programming (with occasional evening lectures). The pair programming definitely helps pass the time (depending on the partner). Most cohort members were at a similar level while some students with previous computer science backgrounds were far ahead of everyone else. We had an AMAZING group of instructors who helped us along the way. I feel like that is the greatest thing I enjoyed about the course. not once was I made to feel bad about struggling with the content. The instructors were genuine in their desire to help us learn and succeed. (after "office" hours)Get ready to eat a meal, perhaps relax for 30 mins or so, then go into anywhere between 2-4 hours of readings/homework. Do not let up on this or you will fall behind. Also, think of the best way that you learn and go with it. I took paper notes on my reading the first couple of months then switched to google keep note taking half way through. Honestly, I feel like the note taking took longer but I absorbed the content better. Although it is nice to have a digital searchable archive of my notes. Try to absorb the material but not necessarily memorize it. Doing the homework will help you be ready to pair program which will keep you on track. Oh and don't forget to fill out your evening reports. We were were not told this until towards the end, but those reports ("what I learned", "challenges", etc) can be useful during your job search. Because of this, it may be useful to take notes as you work for these reports (you will likely be tired by the time reports are available to be filled out).(curriculum) Honestly, most of it is really good stuff. The projects give you hands on experience on the content and material you read about the night before. There are a ton of projects but it seemed like the goal was exposure not necessarily building a portfolio (until the last weeks). You have assistance when you need it and hopefully a fun partner each day that you work with. There were a few projects/assignments that I really enjoyed and some that I really didn't. Some projects are very applicable to the real world, (building websites, designing, constructing games/apps) while others are very scholastic(working on algorithms/math type problems, and writing "lite" versions of complicated stuff so you have a better understanding or appreciation). I honestly feel like some of the scholastic projects could be removed and the course would be enhanced. The two months are working solo as well as in a team to develop multiple web applications from scratch (from a pre-approved list). You will also make a portfolio and prepare for the job search (with readings and homework). This was probably my most favorite time and the hard work you did in the A05-A06 curriculum will pay off here. Feel free to check out my portfolio for samples of the types of projects. www.samgutierrez.com(strikes)App Academy does have a policy in place to hold people accountable to their work and being in class. For the most part, I see it as generous. You really can't be kicked out if you are doing what you are supposed to. The Job Search: After you complete your projects and your official last day the hard work isn't over.You are given a career coach who work with you to get you ready for the job search. He or she will require multiple things to be met each week. You must get a certain number of points per week and a certain number of application or you are given a strike. 
Personal tips:Don't over commit yourself.My marathon:I had already committed a couple months of training prior to signing up for a/A. This would be my second marathon and 10th or so long run event. I was on track for a 3:30 marathon PB but the marathon was not until 4 months later. Rather than paying to downgrade my marathon to a half or 10k ($100 bucks to do so), i just opted to continue with it. My training regiment had me doing a small amount of miles at the start of the course so the first month felt like a breeze. However, the next 21 weeks were living and breathing code and more strenuous running workouts. My schedule consisted of waking up early in the morning (after late evenings of homework) and training for my marathon for about an hour with long runs on weekends. Aside from that, I quickly began battling over tightness of my quads that never let up (and eventually led to injury). I got to 3 months into the course before I started experiencing Achilles issues. By the time the marathon came around I was not in good shape. Mentally exhausted from the course work and assessments and dealing with the Achilles issues, as well as unforeseen family medical emergency. There were days when I couldn't even run a mile before my Achilles just forced me to walk. Luckily, I abandoned my PB goal and was now just focused on not injuring myself but foolishly kept pushing. I ended up completing the marathon in 5 hours and 20 mins. Was it worth it....maybe? lol It felt like a bigger accomplishment than my first marathon but of course but the damage had been done. I am still struggling with Achilles injury (3 months after marathon) and fell behind during the most difficult, and honestly what I felt like, the most important portion of the course. Of course with no longer having to train, I was able to manage to get myself up to par but at more stress. My advice, think long and hard about committing to anything during this time. You will definitely benefit from having the extra time. Equipment:Get a second monitor, mouse, and a decent computer if you don't have one. Laptops are good but honestly I feel like the $300 used imac that I bought is so much easier to work on then the macbook pro I worked on for one day. It is a world of difference having to constantly minimize or drag things around just to see your code. Set up your equipment somewhere where you will not having distractions (this will be super important during assessments) but will also help your day to day. I moved my equipment from a second bedroom  (with one window) to my living room with 3 because it got more daylight. This made a huge difference in my productivity because I felt the day longer (didn't get tired as easily), could hear birds chirping instead of the neighbor's kids on their trampoline, and could also let my dogs play outside while I monitored them through the window (as opposed to keeping them cooped all day and feeling guilty)! The sunlight also keeps you sane because depending on your time zone you may not actually be outside during daylight otherwise. If you have a savings and are able to invest a bit more a Solid State Drive would be helpful. Make sure you are using an ethernet connection for reliable video signal and consider investing in a inexpensive external microphone. This won't really be enforced but you will make it a better experience for you and your classmates. 

This boot camp is definitely worth it if you are looking to learn a ton and serious about making the career switch to becoming a web developer. In 6 months, I went from writing simple algorithms like isPrime and caeser cipher in Ruby to building full stack web applications using technologies such as Ruby on Rails, MERN stack, GraphQL/Apollo, and much more. By the end of the course, you will feel like you can learn any language or framework, and look at any web application, and have a good sense on what you need to do to reproduce its features, which are very powerful skills. That being said, your mileage will vary depending on how much effort you spend practicing and truly understanding the material.

A typical day (online)  looks like this.
8am Morning Q & A on homework lectures and project
8:30am - 11:15am video lectures broken down on 15-20 min chunks followed by 10 min of q & a
11:15am - 12:30pm lunch
12-30 - 4:30pm Pair programming, you are paired with another student and together you tackle the project for the day applying everything from the lectures/hw into a project. Everyday a different project. You have access to the TA's during this time as well.
4:30pm - 5:30pm (but 6pm really)  End of day lecture / q & a 
At least 2 hours of homework (video lectures, small projects)
The weekends I usually spent 4hrs on Saturdays catching up with hw/projects and about 2-3hrs on Sundays getting ready for the next week.
You have an exam every 2.5 weeks. The week before the exam you typically spend 1-2hrs every day preparing for it and definitely about 10-12hrs during the weekend. 

- Dedicated and knowledgeable instructors. I was self-learning before a/A and having an instructor is huge, something that could have taken me days to figure out was solved with the instructor's help on a matter of minutes.
- The online experience is great, you collaborate the whole time with other students by doing pair programming and everyday you are working on a different project.
- You finish the program with 3 full stack projects and a javascript game.
- After the program you get assigned to a career coach that keeps you accountable to the number of companies you've reached out to and helps you prepare for upcoming interviews.
- You don't have to pay them until you get a job.

Before App Academy I was already moving towards another bootcamp since I was in their prep course. Unfortunately, the experience decimated me to the point where I questioned if a career move was right for me. As a last ditch effort, I did App Academy’s prep due to the guarantee. I was honestly blown away. There was an honest attempt to break down the concepts and present it in a way that anyone, even with no coding experience, could understand. From there I was sold, never looked backed and made it into the immersive program.
Daily life as a student:- Days are M-F from 8AM - 5PM PST.- There are 6 assessments, failing 2 will get you kicked out so there is a lot of pressure involved- While in immersive, you’ll mostly be pair programming working on projects- There is homework every night which needs to be completed for the following day. Some of the homework can be 4-5 hours long, so after a long day of work, you have more work- After immersive, you’ll spend most of your time working on projects while learning some new concept and materials in between
I will say for my individual experience:- My instructors were amazing. They were really chill, knowledgeable, and their support is one of the things I will always speak highly of.- All of my cohort mates are awesome. Everyone has different backgrounds, but you start to lean on each other for support, and build connections you didn’t expect.- I learned a lot, it doesn’t always feel that way. But the knowledge you gain from the begin to end is substantial, and that is a big plus.
I can’t speak for job search since I’m only beginning, but what I can say is I like my career coach. His plan and expectations make sense and I’m hopeful it’ll land a job soon.
Overall, if I went back in time, I’d still do it all over again. I had such an amazing experience and would recommend App Academy based off of that. It’s hard of course, but worth it.