Actualize Reviews
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Shlomo Twerski
Well structured, extremely informative, very attentive and kind staff, easy-going no-pressure environment. What more could you ask from a boot camp?
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I graduated from ACLTC's 3rd cohort. An AMAZING experience. Firstly, they teach in a way that is really easy to understand, and they cover a lot of material. They teach you ruby, ruby on rails, sql, html, css, javascript, and AngularJS. They also teach it very thoroughly providing multiple FUN (I know, hard to believe) exercises and hands-on learning. They always make sure you understand it, and you'll never be to embarrassed to say if you didn't understand something. It's almost as if they are more concerned that you understand the material than you are.
They provide quality perspectives about web development including TDD (which, again, we had hands-on exercise for), open-source, API's (tying many different apps to one back-end), and agile, often having guest speakers come in to talk about them.
I came from a background that had absolutely NOTHING to do with computers. I didn't even know what a command terminal was. Much less how to use it. Very quickly, I began to learn more and more about these concepts, and, very shortly, it became an experience that I woke up in the morning looking forward to. They break everything down into very small steps so it's a very easy transition from what you knew yesterday to what they teach you today. They also guide you on your journey. It's not like they throw a whole bunch of work at you and be like, "Think about this stuff. Do it. Then come back next week and we'll throw some more stuff at you. Bye." They show you what to do and what not to do, and why not to do what not to do. Everything is smooth sailing (not that it's not a lot of work - it is. but, all the hard work is really clear. You know what you gotta do. It's just a matter of doing it) right till the very end.
All in all, if you're looking to have a solid understanding and mastery of web development, and you're nowhere near that point right now,, go to ACLTC. I think that's such good advice so I'm going to say it again. Go to ACLTC. You won't be disappointed. It's the ultimate web-development boot camp. -
Yedidya Weiner
Anyone Can Learn To Code!
This was awesome! I held my full time job and attended classes on nights and weekends. Jay is a fantastic teacher and know his material very well. He did not just teach us how to code, but taught us the ins-and-outs of everything in the profession. I feel very prepared to get a job. Great atmosphere too!
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Mark Richardson
For Those That Want to Learn to Code
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Finding a good developer to help you is easy. Finding a good developer who is also a good teacher is much, much harder. Jay (the lead instructor) takes teaching seriously, and that's where his passion lies. I think most coding schools, especially bootcamps have a sink or swim attitude, where learning is your responsibility, and they're only there to push you along.
But Jay really cares. He wants you to learn, and will put in the time to make sure not only that everyone is on board, but that you're comfortable with what you're trying to learn.I couldn't ask for a better instructor or program.
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Chris Walsh
Invaluable, life-changing
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Two things set Anyone Can Learn to Code apart from other bootcamps: the time commitment and instruction. ACLTC is the only programming bootcamp I found that allowed me to keep my job while attending. That was huge. I couldn't have afforded it otherwise. And whereas most bootcamps throw you straight into the deep end of dev, providing an environment where you can teach yourself how to code with little directed instruction, ACLTC gives direct, in-class lessons alongside practical exercises to help guide you through the beginning dev world. There is so much to learn that you can easily get overwhelmed, but Jay makes sure that doesn't happen, guiding you through the technologies and tools you need, building a solid dev foundation that will take you from start to finish on any project.
Prior to ACLTC, I spent six months trying to teach myself to code. I ran through Codecademy lessons, purchased Udemy courses, and muddled my way through Michael Hartl's Rails Tutorial. I learned a little, but I lacked a clear workflow, an understanding of what even basic apps needed, and a road map to learn more. When you're just starting to learn programming, it can feel like each new tool you learn leads to five more new things to learn, and without a guiding hand you can quickly get lost. That's where I was, feeling foolish and frustrated, when I found Jay through a meetup. In three oh-so-short months, I learned far more than I had in the previous six. Now I'm humming with app ideas and the skills to build them. Where once I was proud of a single file JS calculator, now I have fully dynamic Rails web applications, my own gems and APIs, and robust Angular front-ends.
I cannot recommend ACLTC highly enough. It changed my life, taking my dev career dreams from some-day-maybe to right now, introducing me to Chicago-based dev recruiters with a portfolio of apps I am proud of. If you have any interest in starting a dev career, apply to ACLTC. You will not regret it.
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Robert Elroy
Hands down, a great experience!
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I have recently finished classes at ACLTC and must say, this was a great experience! Jay Wengrow is a true teacher at heart. He is more than willing to spend the extra time and effort to make sure you succeed. Being someone who has never had any experience coding at all, I believe I truly picked the right place to be in ACLTC! I have heard other boot-camps expect you to pretty much learn on your own with their help. Jay teaches step by step with examples and exercises. This gives you the ability to see how things work as well as practice for yourself too. I am truly confident I will land my first development job from the new skills I have learned from ACLTC! I would truly recommend you research ACLTC if you are considering a career in software development.
It also doesn't hurt that Jay creates an atmosphere for people to develop lasting friendships with your fellow classmates. It's not about who can out do someone else but how we work together to accomplish the team goal.
I should also point out that Jay provided teaching assistants to help out too. These people also proved to be invaluable!
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Sly. N
Worth every penny!!!!
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I attended the Anyone Can Learn To Code Web Development Bootcamp (Sept. 2014-Dec.2014) and I must say it was a rewarding experience that has paid off dividends already. ACLTC provided me with the skill set and confidence necessary to become a future developer. Jay Wengrow was an extremely knowledgeable and patient teacher that converted complicated concepts into plain english. Even before finishing the cohert, I've had several interviews with several companies looking for developers with the skills I learned at ACLTC. To anyone looking for a bootcamp with the flexibilty to keep their job while training to become a web developer on a part-time basis, ACLTC is the option to choose.
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Trevor Jones
Amazing Bootcamp
I finished up the Summer 2014 cohort and it was awesome. I finally built the soccer app I've been wanting to build and feel so empowered. I had a job interview lined up right after the camp as a result of the showcase and I'm starting an internship now! This comes highly recommended!
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Anonymous
Actualize built my coding confidence
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I really enjoyed the Actualize bootcamp! I not only learned how to write, read, and debug code, but also how to think and learn like a developer. The instructor was incredibly supportive, going out of his way to create guides for everything we learned so we could reference them in the future, and even adding material beyond the curriculum based on our interests. I felt prepared to break into the coding world - in my coding knowledge, my resume, and my interview readiness. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in coding. -
Anonymous
Great experience
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I chose Actualize Bootcamp because although haven tried learning coding on my own I structured with consistency and being able to build projects on my own from start to finish. Joining Actualize help me do this, first going through the prework with Ruby made me so programming as so easy and then moving on to python and AI engineering, the instructor break the learning down to the very basic and support you from there on. I would recommend Actualize for anyone who wants to go into this field. -
Anonymous
Supportive Instruction and Practical Skills
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I had an amazing experience at this bootcamp! The instructor was incredibly helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure we understood the material. I really appreciated how the curriculum balanced learning specific programming languages with building the skills to independently explore new languages and frameworks. We didn’t just focus on theory — we gained real-life, practical experience with debugging, team collaboration, and industry best practices. I left feeling confident, motivated, and ready to keep growing as a developer. -
Anonymous
Actualize bootcamp review
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Good way to keep on track with learning coding when I knew bits and pieces but had never done anything as concrete as this. Sometimes the curriculum was paced in a way that puts you behind if you're not able to study in between classes (I did the bootcamp while working full time). However, the curriculum was thorough, and I didn't feel like there were any fundamentals I didn't understand by the end of the program. I feel like I came a long way in 4 months. You have open access to career coaches both during and after the course, and I have found them helpful so far. -
Anonymous
Amazing Bootcamp!
Amazing program with amazing instructors, grads can confidently apply for jobs knowing they have the necessary understanding and skills to go out into the workplace. instructors were clear and easy to follow, very fast paced and very engaging -
Anonymous
I've just graduated
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I've just graduated. I'm looking for a job, but I've gained a lot of courage and clarity regarding my future path. I believe Actualize is a very supportive boot camp for beginners. You don't have to worry about falling behind, and if you stay committed, you can grasp the basics of full stack development. The instructors are kind, and there's always an opportunity to ask questions.
During the course, I learned Ruby, Ruby on Rails, and React. Towards the end, I also had the chance to dabble in other technologies. Perhaps I'll need to continue studying on my own, but I found that I could grasp new concepts quickly. -
Anonymous
Actualize Bootcamp
I recently completed the web development bootcamp through Actualize and I can say it was a great experience. The curriculum is designed well, and you frequently put the concepts you learn to use in various projects. Brian was a friendly and knowledgeable instructor and the career support is thorough. -
Anonymous
Taught me more than I thought I could learn
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This course was great in its ability to learn at a highly-accelerated pace while maintaining comprehensibility. Going through the course it did not feel as though I was learning a lot but every time we stopped to reflect and as I reflect now finishing the course, it is clear the immense amount of knowledge I have obtained in a short period of time. While I do wish some other languages were allocated more time, being taught how to learn on our own was a key point so I feel comfortable venturing out on my own. The curriculum was robust and widespread. The only thing I was we spent more time on was algorithms and big O to prep for technical interviews. Overall, it was a great experience with a great team of teachers and guidance that I would certainly recommend. -
Anonymous
Great Experience!
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Learning at Actualize was a great experience. I started Actualize with zero knowledge of Software Development, and can now build out full-stack apps, with knowledge in Ruby, Ruby on Rails, GitHub, SQL, React, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. They gave us many resources and guides which were created by Actualize. There was a lot of team work and collaboration. A big part of Actualize was equipping us with the skills to enable us to keep growing and learning independently after the bootcamp was over. The bootcamp was not just composed of lessons about coding and building apps: there were career advising classes, with a separate teacher who specialized in career coaching. Upon graduating the bootcamp, I felt fully equipped to start the job search and continue on my own. I highly recommend Actualize. -
Anonymous
Go to Actualize!
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Recently completed the Full Stack Web Development bootcamp at Actualize and loved it. I chose Actualize because it was taught via live Zoom meetings and there were multiple schedule options. They focus on teaching you how to "learn to learn" which I thought was great, because no bootcamp will teach you everything you need to know and to leave the bootcamp with the tools necessary to continue my education was the most important to me. Highly recommend. -
Anonymous
Gratitude for an Outstanding Actualize Experience
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I cannot recommend the team assembled at Actualize Coding Bootcamp enough. The support and guidance I received from the staff were beyond compare. In particular, Amanda, our instructor, was nothing short of amazing. Her teaching style struck the perfect balance between practicality and support, creating an environment that was conducive to learning and growth.
I would join Actualize all over again just for their career advising team. Sarah was my advisor, and I cannot speak highly enough of her dedication and expertise. She went above and beyond to assist me in the job search process, providing valuable insights and reassurance when I needed it the most. Sarah's commitment to the success of the students is truly commendable. Additionally, Lisa's support was indispensable. On a couple of occasions when I needed assistance promptly, Lisa was there to help. I believe the career advising team is a standout aspect of the Actualize experience.
Overall, I am incredibly satisfied with my experience at Actualize, and I have not hesitated to recommend it to others. The dedication and support from Amanda, Sarah, Lisa, and the entire Actualize team have made a lasting impression on me. -
Anonymous
Very informative
Course was great! they really teach how to code not just the programs you learn. Its really a great experience. Havent gone through the job assistance yet but can already tell they really help you after the course ends. -
Anonymous
100% Recommend, No Regret
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Actualize is a well-thought-out curriculum with fantastic instructors who help you get a firm grasp on programming. I decided to choose this bootcamp because a friend who went here in the past recommended it to me, and vouched for their great instruction. After completing the bootcamp I can confidently say that not only is the instruction first-rate, but I also gained the skills necessary to feel confident in applying for software developer jobs and starting my own projects. One key concept that is reiterated in the bootcamp is the idea of "learning how to learn". Actualize does a phenomenal job of expressing this and making sure you know how to learn effectively so you don't feel lost once the bootcamp is complete. Another important aspect I loved about the bootcamp was the constant exercises to reinforce our learning. If I ever felt stuck or lost I could easily ask for help and get immediate feedback. This is super important because when you are learning how to code the more you actually practice writing code the quicker you will pick up on the concepts. Overall my experience with Actualize was superb, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has been considering joining a bootcamp. -
Anonymous
Great Experience!
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There are so many great perks to this boot camp starting from just the application process. When researching and applying to Actualize, the Operations Manager will be there to support you, answer questions, and guide you through the process.
The course itself is so great! Students are placed in small-sized cohorts (I had 9 classmates), with one lead instructor and 2 TAs. There is a friendly, low-pressure atmosphere. Each day we learned some new techniques and then worked on a relevant exercises; when stuck during an exercise, there is always someone available for assistance and I never felt lost or uncomfortable to ask questions. Sometimes we split off into breakout rooms and completed exercises in smaller groups which was a fun, interactive way of learning. The capstone is not as daunting as it sounds- everyone makes it through and builds impressive apps!
I came in with absolutely no prior coding experience and at the end of the cohort, I felt up to par with even the students that came in with prior coding experience.
One of the greatest perks of Actualize is that they will walk you through the job search from A to Z. When you complete the live Zoom classes, you will find that you are still very much a part of Actualize! There is a tech mentorship program, an alumni network, and career advisors who will still be on your case. -
Anonymous
An experience you cannot get anywhere else!
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Choosing Actualize as my boot camp was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was brand new to the coding world and was only learning the very basics before I applied. Actualize emphasizes the importance of how languages and technologies should be approached. After finishing their course, not only do I know how to utilize Rails and React, but more importantly, have the knowledge to efficiently learn any language, framework, interface, structure, and many more. They also have many resources, including a career advisor, and an amazing alumni community to help land your first job.
If you are committed to coding, love to learn, and put in the work, Actualize is the course for you. -
Anonymous
Choose Actualize!!
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Actualize provides a positive learning environment that effectively taught me how to code. This program was amazing to be apart of and I truly feel they have set me up to be successful in my career. Not only are the instructors super supportive and helpful, their TA's are the same way! I'm so glad I chose Actualize because it built my coding confidence as well as providing the the stepping stones to learn even more coding languages. -
Anonymous
Great Experience
The instructor and teaching assistants were very useful. The career advisors were very reliable and helped whenever it was needed. I highly recommend this boot camp to anyone. The workload was a lot but will be for any boot camp. However, this school does a great job breaking it down. -
Anonymous
Great Program
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I just finished my cohort and my first feeling is that it was a great program and I don't have any regrets. The pre-work was perfect for a total beginner and I felt comfortable when we started the live lessons. Starting with Ruby and its simple syntax helped gain confidence as we compiled more and more into the lessons. Outside practice is KEY for skill development.
Where the course fell short for me was the introduction of ReactJS. So much time spent on Ruby and we flew through React and just kept barreling through. I understand we spent less time on React than Ruby but I feel that the lesson structure wasn't as strong as the beginning. My classmates and myself were completely lost at times.
I started this cohort already having a sales position and was transitioning to a tech position within the same company so I wasn't looking for a job. The job hacking had a lot of useful information and deff important topics to discuss. However I feel it took up too much time some weeks and we could have condensed a lot of it and used the extra time for more JS or SQL.
We had a lot of independent study time in the beginning and that to me was a little bit of a waste. We barreled through so many topics on the back half of the cohort that we should have used the time together in class better. I can do independent study for free after class. I shouldn't be paying for it.
Overall I think my teacher Amanda was great. Super patient and always good for a laugh. I'm happy I picked Actualize and would recommend it to anyone interested in coding. I will add I think all bootcamps are a bit overpriced and this fits in that as well. -
Anonymous
Got what I needed!
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I went into the bootcamp knowing only what I was able to teach myself a few weeks prior and I was a it intimidated by that fact. The pre-work they have for you before actual classes start was perfect to get me started and I never felt like I was drowning. Then the actual bootcamp was exactly what I wanted! I learned lots of really great skills but the most important skill I feel like I picked up was the ability to teach myself. Even before the end of the bootcamp I was able to start teaching myself another language and make an app with it. No regrets about my choice at all. -
Anonymous
Extremely Rewarding Experience
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A very small class size for almost one-on-one teaching and collaborating gave me the ability to learn and understand very hard concepts relatively quickly. Most importantly I was trained in the art of learning. By the time the course was over I could teach myself skills and find the resources to expand my knowledge base. The course pre-work took me from knowing nothing about writing code to being able to write difficult code in less than a month. My instructor, Peter, is tremendously smart and engaging. All of the staff is incredibly personable and the job assistance is top notch. The course ends in 12 weeks, but you have indefinite access to everything you learned and all the resources within. Highly recommend bootcamp. -
Anonymous
Great Experience!
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I really enjoyed my experience at Actualize. The instructors, TAs, and career advisors all care about your success and provide you with the opportunities and resources to succeed. The class is live and you are able to interact and ask questions on the spot whenever you are stuck. The curriculum is project based and gives you the opportunities to learn hands-on while building your portfolio and adding your own ideas to each project. I didn't have any coding experience when the class began but I walked away with the confidence and ability to learn new languages/frameworks on my own. The resources provided to you don't just go way after the class, you are provided with resources to keep you motivated and working on projects as well as resources to help you in your job search and interview preparation. I can't recommend Actualize enough! -
Anonymous
Great :)
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I really enjoyed my time here! Learned a lot about coding and there's a lot of help post graduation to keep you on task to improve your portfolio/skill while applying to jobs. Actualize provides A LOT of resources to help you with coding from mentorship, to mock technical interviews, mock behavioral interviews. And of course you can keep in contact with your cohort. Class was M-F 9am-2pm, two 15 min breaks, one 30 min lunch.
In order to maximize the course though I would suggest coding or studying during your free time. Course does a good job showing you the ropes and how to approach difficult problems. Only thing I wish was that we were taught Python into Ruby. I think it would be easy to pick up Ruby if Python is your first language. -
Anonymous
Fast Track to Full Stack
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Instructor was excellent! She is knowledgeable, passionate, and had 0 issues explaining a pretty complicated subject in a very digestible way. Loved the emphasis on community and team building, as well as a lot of emphasis being on post-bootcamp, including their in-house support for graduates. It feels like a "whole picture" bootcamp rather than one that just leaves you overwhelmed right when you graduate. The "job-hacking" portion felt like it took a little too much time from what could have been used for more practice/instruction, but overall a great experience. -
Anonymous
Solid Learning Experience
I loved the learning community and my instructor Amanda. I feel like it taught me how to learn again and built up my confidence a lot. I feel ready and prepared for the future job search. Definitely worth it. -
Anonymous
Fun, Encouraging, Effective
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At first I was a little hesitant to sign up for a fully remote instructional program, but I quickly learned that I made a wise choice in going with Actualize's online program. The group is very organized and are more than willing to make sure you stay on track. You are online in live classes every weekday with the rest of your cohort and learn to function within a team while also honing your personal coding and soft skills. My instructor, Joey, kept things entertaining while passing onto us strong programming foundations and showing us not only what to learn, but HOW to learn things beyond the scope of the boot camp. As a graduate from the boot camp, I know I still have endless things to learn and am confident in my abilities to go about learning new technologies and concepts and that's thanks to the tools and knowledge Actualize instilled into us. Beyond the actual programming instruction, there is also a great support system with career counseling. I went from dreading the interview process to feeling confidently that I did well on my very first interview. I accepted a position before finishing the program and I owe a lot of credit to my instructor and the career counseling provided by Sarah. This boot camp has a plethora of very skilled, very enthusiastic people who want you to succeed and do everything in their power to see that happen. Highly recommended!! -
Anonymous
Personalized experience
This is the bootcamp for anybody who wants a personal, intimate learning experience. The cohort size is ideal and the instructors work to make you feel welcome and cater to your needs. There are two TA's for each cohort as well that help you through your coursework and projects. Overall, there is more than enough help for aspiring programmers of all levels. -
Anonymous
BEST CODING BOOTCAMP EVER!
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Although I didn't try other bootcamps now I don't have to look any further! I came to Actualize not knowing anything about programming and now I am impressed with how much I have gained.I feel they have prepared me with the tools to grow further and keep the moment of learning going. The classes are live, stimulating, comprehensive, and focus primarily on applicable skills that you will need in the workplace. However, we also learned the logic behind the commands we are using as well, which is something I think makes Actualize stand out from other bootcamps that only focus on the shortcuts. Not to mention, my instructor was incredible, both as a programmer and a mentor. If you choose Actualize, I highly recommend Peter. I cannot imagine anyone better but that's what I hear about all their instructors. If you are looking to make a career change or to brush up on some coding skills, Actualize is perfect for you. -
Anonymous
Best programming bootcamp ever!!!
I found Actualize through word of mouth and it really spoke to me because of the live classes. I had a great experience not only did I thoroughly enjoy the classes I really feel like I learned so much. I would recommend Actualize to anyone considering changing careers to the tech industry or wanting to learn coding in college. -
Anonymous
Intense but worth it
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Great course. Very informative. Lots of hands-on practice. Lots of support once you graduate to help you find your first job. The course went over more than what was presented on the website which was nice. The curriculum is current to what is going on in tech and makes sure everyone is prepared to graduate. The instructor was super helpful and worked patiently with everyone in the cohort. The class size is small so everyone gets help and doesn't get lost in the crowd. The curriculum adds on as the week progresses until the final end when you make your capstone. -
Anonymous
Educational, Engaging, Friendly
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Actualize was recommended to me by 2 friends who had finished the program and got jobs. I worked a full time job (Non-tech) while doing the evening cohort. I worried a lot about the workload and being able to balance both; however, my instructor (Peter) was amazing. I never felt overwhelmed and he was always there to help and encourage me on my journey. I am extremely grateful for this experience. I would highly recommend Actualize and Peter! -
Anonymous
Great, supportive learning experience
Actualize does a great job teaching its curriculum in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand, paired with exercises to practice everything you learn first hand. There is an endless amount of support from the instructors and career advisors that goes on way beyond when you graduate which is a huge stress relief for when you're looking for a career after the bootcamp. -
Anonymous
Highly Recommend
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Everything has been explained very well, It was a successful decision for me,
Actualize was so helpful and a good starting point of my software development journey. -
Anonymous
Review
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Just finished the bootcamp. Had a great time going through the whole bootcamp. More than I thought I would. Our cohorts instructor made each class session fun and taught very well. Learned more than I thought I would within those 12 weeks. You really dont need any prior coding experience to go through it. They also teach habits you should pick up. On top of the the assistants know a lot and help out. We also have job hacking that will help you get a job.