Actualize Reviews
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Michael Dotson Verified via LinkedIn
Definitely worth your time, IF you're serious about learning to code!
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Let's see... to start I was a bit skeptical as I'm sure you will be also starting something new. I knew what it was I wanted to do (learn to develop my own websites so I could stop paying thousands of dollars for a finished project nothing as I wanted) but wasn't sure which would be the best avenue to pursue. I thought about attending a JC and obtaining a CS degree but quickly found out how much I can't stand an instructor who is as dry (no pun intended) as boiled sand and speaks like Bill Stein.
I needed something that was in line with my character and learning style. I checked out a few bootcamps, which all claimed to be the best (marketing tool), yet the only beacon in the dark was Actualize. The emphasized teaching over learning to code and how their instructors were educators of some form or another so I gave it a shot. The pre-work was pretty easy as I had just completed a pre-bootcamp course prior. Also, it gave me a chance to compare the teaching styles of the two different bootcamps. Actualize immediately stood out as the place I wanted to be. Although my cohort mates were from all walks of life and backgrounds, we seemed to mesh almost instantly like a family. It could have been the common desire of wanting to learn code, but whatever it was, it made life so much easier. My experience learning with another bootcamp also yielded high learning in a short amount of time, but the stress factor was through the roof. Knowing if I failed a few tests I'd be kicked out of the bootcamp is something I did not want looming over my head while trying to learn something completely new.
All in all, my experience with Actualize is one I will always remember and can look back on in a few years and say that's where I got my start at and that's the reason this great site I built exists today. -
Rachel F Verified via GitHub
I built such a cool thing!
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I can't stress enough how much one-on-one access you have with your instructor and ta's. It is a bootcamp and things come at you hard and fast. You'll get some things, not get others, and that one-on-one time will be invaluable. This will be the basis from where you'll begin your journey to learn other languages and decide where to focus as you move forward. You'll get out as much as you put in, and you'll be amazed at what you can build.
Start practicing your algorithms now..you'll thank me!
Good luck!
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Sarah Hoopes Verified via GitHub
Actualize Coding Bootcamp
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Really amazing course that covers everything you'll need to know to form a foundation for software engineering. Almost all of the prework and the first half of the course is spent doing backend work, which I think is the best way to learn coding and train yourself how to solve problems like a programmer. The course covers multiple languages and frameworks, but it doesn't overload you by trying to have you learn too many at once. The instructor and the TAs are extremely knowledgeable as well as flexible with their time. Definitely recommend - it's worth the cost!
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Dylan Cross Verified via LinkedIn
By far and away exceeded expectations
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My expectations were high and Actualize still managed to exceed them by a long shot.
When I was originally doing research to find a bootcamp that met my needs, Actualize stood out compared to other cohorts such as Fullstack. The only thing that was kind of spooky to me was how unanimously positive almost all of the reviews for Actualize were. An average of 4.1 out of 5 almost always feels more genuine than a 5 out of 5. Actualize is a massive exception to that rule. I'm not sure what it's average rating is, but it must be close to a perfect 5/5. Until I went through this, I really didn't believe it could be THAT good.
What can I say that hasn't been said in any of the previous reviews? I was part of the first full-time cohort (as opposed to the part-time night cohorts that were previously the only option) and as a result, got to pour my entire life into it. 5 weeks of remote prework followed by 12 weeks of intense, non-stop learning and application. I won't sugar coat it, it's hard as hell, if you don't cry at least once, you're either already way too advanced to be considering the program or you're not paying attention. In spite of how difficult it can be, there is so much support here from all the staff. There's a palpable sense of emotional intelligence that takes into consideration the stress one goes through when learning as much as you do in such a short amount of time while unemployed and living off of savings for 4 months. It's scary, but so incredibly gratifying by the time you make it through. Out of the 14 members of my cohort, every single one of us finished even when almost all of us, at one point or another, felt like quitting from the pressure. If there is another bootcamp out there that does what Actualize does, I've yet to hear about it.
I hope my review helps to sway anyone on the fence or currently in the process of doing research towards a bootcamp experience. -
Anjelica Verified via LinkedIn
Course Review
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I just graduated from the first daytime cohort at Actualize and highly recommend it for anyone looking to make a career change. I had researched all of the coding bootamps located in Chicago and decided on Actualize after the positive reviews I read. The environment is welcoming and the instructors make coding fun. I had no previous coding experience and am amazed by how much we learned in 12 weeks.
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Patty Hwang Verified via LinkedIn
Worth the time and money.
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Five stars all the way -- this program is intense but worth every moment. Actualize supports and encourages each one of their students, regardless of experience level. This coding bootcamp gently nudges you to push yourself and surpasses all expecations of what you knew (or didn't know) about coding and the tech industry.
Coming from a place of little knowledge about code, I dived head first into this program, unsure of what to expect. But after 12 intense and life changing weeks, I've learned more than what I could have taught myself, built webapps from scratch with other my other fellow developer classmates, and completed a capstone project on my own using the skills taught by Actualize.
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Chris Solis Verified via LinkedIn
What a ride!
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The course is intense, but can be done. You must be fully committed to the cause in order to make this work. The instructors were always available to answer your questions, not matter how many times you asked them, or if you repeatedly asked the same question. The job assitance that comes with the course is also great! Lisa Tucker does a phenomenal job of making time to see you and assist you. I did the fulltime cohort, so I can only speak on behald of that. I have no regrets, I am glad I did this.
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Chris Adamo Verified via LinkedIn
Exceeded all of my expectations!
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I did my rounds on the review sites, talked with admissions people from other fulllstack bootcamps, and networked with other bootcamp grads before deciding on Actualize. What drew me in was the flexibility of taking the class remotely in the evening hours (I have a day job), and getting a full stack education in only 16 weeks. How did they do this? Not by cutting corners, or by hiring unskilled instructors! It is in their teaching methodology and philosophy. What I learned was not just how to build a fullstack app/site. I did learn that, but what I also learned was far more valuable. I learned how to learn to code. Yes, the teach how to learn to code. That makes the skills you learn at Actualize applicable to any language and framework from HTML to JS, and SQL that you want or need to learn. Oh and the kicker...due to their efficient teaching methodology, they do this at half the price of other bootcamps.
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Shaunda Verified via LinkedIn
What A Ride!
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What an experience. I am a recent grad of Actualize and I have nothing but good words to say. I was apart of the online evening/weekend course with six other students. The level of support I received from the instructor, TA and classmates were unbelievable. Everyone wants to see you win and start a career as a web developer.
My background is in social work and I never thought I could become a web developer. It takes a lot of patience and determination to finish this course, but if you're truely passionate about learning how to build web apps and challenging yourself, then I say go for it. I have no regrets whatsoever.
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Thomas Ng Verified via GitHub
Made me feel capable
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About me: I have just finished my capstone project after attending Actualize for months. I am in the IT field already (sys admin, wifi design, network infranstrure) and took a couple of years of C++ in college a long long time ago. I hated code at the time because of the haphazard and antiquated learning patterns of my university (having to write C++ functions in pencil!).
Before choosing a bootcamp, I interview many people in the field to get their experiences. Actualize came up repeatidly for both in-person and online.
I attended Actualize online after work. Despite my hesitations about a online class I really felt supported and empored at Actualize. With a 11 hour work day (with commute) they were still able to keep me engaged and motivated with a perfectly balanced curriculum and amazing teachers/TA. I always felt like I had someone I can reach out to, and that my fellow peers were friends and part of a community.
I will whole heartidly recommend again and again.
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Jett Verified via GitHub
Great Program
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I had been contemplating attending a bootcamp for a while but was hesitant to jump in and do it. Finally after about a year I decided to join one. I browsed over some reviews , and decided on actualize after generally positive reviews as well as being able to attend my full-time job while attending. Overall, I'm very pleased with my decision to join actualize. it's pretty fast paced and intensive but the curriculum is well-structured and the instructors are excellent. Got along very well with the other members of the cohort. Everyone was very motivated, and willing to work together and help eachother. which also added to the experience. overall I'm quite satisfied with what I have learned and glad to have this experience.
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Mike Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize Experience
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I came into Actualize knowing virtually nothing about coding, save for some basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In 12 weeks, I learned how coding languages and frameworks are put together, and now feel comfortable taking on any language/framework. More importantly, I learned a lot about myself - how to push myself, how to have confidence in myself, and what it truly takes to achieve a final product. The instructors at Actualize are terrific, but Lisa (Actualize's career counselor) is the diamond of the organization. She gave me so much perspective and support as I underwent a huge career change - she's worth the price of admission herself.
The curriculum focuses heavily on Ruby/Rails and Vue.js, but I wish a little more time was spent exploring other languages and frameworks. As well, I was placed in a fairly undiverse cohort (although seeing other cohorts on campus, I know this is not the norm), which made it a little difficult to fit in as a queer person. With all of that being said, the curriculum and the instruction were incredibly well presented, and all of the instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely recommend this school!
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Richard Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize Experience
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As a graduate with a undergranduate degree in computer science, I felt I was lacking the skills needed to do web development. I tried to learn on my own with codeacademy and codewars. Those can only take you so far. I did further research and came upon coding bootcamps like Actualize and Fullstack Academy. What drew me to Actualize was the curriculum and the flexible schedule (Weeknights and Sundays)
Actualize is perfect for those who want a carrer change or for those who want to obtain the skills to make an app. The first part of the experience requires diligence and perservance. You will only get what you put in. The other half is the interaction between your peers, the instructor, the TAs, and you. It will surprise you to see how close you get when going through the same struggles. At the end of the course you end up with a new family.
Josh, Addie, Brittany, Natale, and Jen helped push me past my comfort zone when it came to my capstone project. They let you come up with the idea and then give you advice on how to improve it. You then realize that you now have a new mindset on what makes an app. You feel their passion in web development and for your success which made my whole experience enjoyable.
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Kyle Verified via LinkedIn
Highly Recommended Bootcamp!
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After getting my degree in marketing and spending the first five years in sales roles that never felt fulfilling, I needed to make a change in my career to something that would give me more flexibility, better upward mobility, and overall happiness.
I had completed a few Codecademy courses in the past, but needed something that would supply me with a bit more structure. So after seeing Actualize's great reviews, especially for their in-class Chicago campus, I applied and was accepted to the July 2018 cohort.
Over the next few months, I learned more than I ever could have possibly imagined. The course is fast-paced and challenging, but once things start to stick, by the end you have a strong foundation and jumping off point for your future career in development. I met some amazing classmates during my time here, and my lead instructor Josh and all the TA's were fantastic, patient, knowledgeable and overall great people.
I couldn't recommend Actualize more to anyone who is curious about programming but doesn't know where to start their career. It doesn't get much better than this.
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Tatiana Pena Verified via GitHub
Student
I took the 13 weeknight course and it was intense. It is a coding Bootcamp and it is intended to teach you full-stack within 13 weeks. It is a short-term commitment but it will take all your free time.
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Tayt Bicknell Verified via GitHub
ONLINE LIVE CODING BOOTCAMP - Daytime Course
Languages: Ruby / Javascript / HTML / CSS
Frameworks: Ruby on Rails / Vue.js
Version Control: GitHub
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Chris Ngo Verified via LinkedIn
It's all about the instructors!
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I considered attending a bootcamp for for 2-3 years before finally making the decision to go through with it. I can honestly and personally say that it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. After researching and reading through other reviews online for other bootcamps, I chose Actualize due to the small independent feel when compared to other bootcamps, the apprenticeship/job hacking program after classes end, but most importantly the teaching experience/acuity of the instructors, especially Peter Jang. He's absolutely the best teacher I've ever had in all my years of structured education. He's extremely intelligent, insightful, experienced, and funny. It's obvious he loves coding and teaching others.
Without a doubt, the material is difficult but their approach does not cultivate a high stress environment. This is especially true if you find yourself to enjoy web development; to which you should put in the extra time and work if you enjoy it. To anyone out there who may be researching coding bootcamps, you will not go wrong with Actualize. I can't speak for other bootcamps but I'm happy to have attended Actualize. I now feel confident in my ability to take the next step towards a career in tech.
Thank you to everyone at Actualize who helped me. I will miss attending classes.
*I also wrote a similar review on Switchup.org
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Ines Daniel Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize Online
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I choose Actualize because it offered me the opportunity to learn to code while keeping my full time job. Also loved the fact that the instructors where actually people with teaching experience not just coding. Huge plus! My experience was amazing. I knew nothing going in and learned so much by the end. Never felt like I couldn't ask a question no matter how basic it was. Definitely recommend to anyone that wants to learn to code regardless of how little knowledge they have going in.
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Elizabeth Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize Coding Bootcamp
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Before I joined Actualize I probably read every single review written about them. This review might seem similar becuase Actualize is truly amazing and joining was the best decision I made! I would do it all over again. I chose this bootcamp in particular because the instuctors have software engineering experience and teaching experience and I can honestly tell you that they set you up for success. My Instuctor was Peter Jang and I cannot say enough good things about him. I really feel that I could not have asked for better elsewhere. Their teaching philosophy and approach to programming is very effective. After completing the program I feel very confindent that I have the both the technical skills and the job hunting skills to land a software developer position.
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Grant Verified via LinkedIn
This is how you run a bootcamp
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Like most people reading this, I had no programming experience prior to attending Actualize. While working through Codecademy exercises, I began researching bootcamps and was nervous to take the plunge. Without question, Actualize is an incredible educational experience suitable for all backgrounds. Cohorts are small, allowing for more instructor attention. The instructors (who are FANTASTIC!!) have backgrounds in both software development and education. They really take the time to make sure you understand the material. You can ask for help and actually get an answer that makes sense. Most bootcamps are not like this.
In addition to modern web development tools, Actualize shows you how to not only build full-stack web applications (Ruby, Rails, VueJS), but feel comfortable reading documentation, learn new technologies, and take on your first developer job. Attending Actualize is without question one of the best decisions I have ever made and my only regret is not signing up earlier. If you're someone looking to learn to code and pursue a software developer career, Actualize will get you there. Go get it!
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Michael Lulich Verified via LinkedIn
Course Review
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I chose actualize because their emphasis on teaching. There are many bootcamps available who do not stress this enough. I would recommend Actualize to anyone who is willing to put forth the effort to learn how to code. While they do teach you, you must put in the work if you want to succeed. I would also recommend exhausting free online exercises before enrolling in the class because it does move quickly, and having a base to build off is something to help cement your understanding.
And just as a side note, Peter led my cohort, and I would gladly recommend his teaching style and general demeanor regarding learning to program to anyone who is considering the course.
**Job assistance rating is left as NA as I am a recent graduate at the time of this review, and have not attended any job assistance meetings at this time.
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Jessica Verified via LinkedIn
Negative Zero Experience to Expert!
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Truly the best learning experience iin my life.The instructors are extremely knowledgable and helpful throughout the process! Coming from a background in sales and not having any programming experience was super intimidating and although it is a fast-paced course covering a lot of material there was a positive and community vibe ambience that kept me motivated and excited to attend each and every class! Supportive, comprehensive and most helpful coding bootcamp out there!
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Tom Panouses Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize Chicago
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Cannot begin to describe how worthwhile this whole process has been.
Having just completed the curriculum I feel very confident about jumping into the industry of web development and landing my first job in a field I thought previously I had no shot at. The curriculum is definitley no walk in the park but it was very fun to overcome the challenges and obstacles that you face when you jump headfirst into learning something as complicated as web development. Although you're technically in a class, it doesn't really ever feel like a school and the small size of the cohorts allows you to have a lot of one on one interaction with the instructors and TA's which is very beneficial when you run into small problems, and is one of the reasons I chose Actualize over a bigger bootcamp. Since Josh, the lead instructor, also attended a bootcamp he knew exactly the types of problems and pitfalls students like us with no CS degree would face, and helped us circumnavigate those as much as possible while still allowing us to fail lightly in order to really learn (which I believe is very neccesary). And despite being relativley self-taught himself he was insanely knowedgeable on the topics and technologies and did an excellent job explaining complex things in the simplest way possible.
If I could do it all over again the only thing I would change is to do it sooner.
(have not started the job hacking portion yet, will update this after completing)
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Oscar Wasilewski Verified via LinkedIn
Really positive and great learning experience
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I came in knowing minamal HTML, and CSS, but came out learning so much. I had a great time, all the teachers and students were great. I honestly didn't expect to learn so much in such a short period of time. Really exceeded my expectations and I'm glad I came here. Another plus was that they help after the main course, they don't just throw you out and say good luck finding a job. We have a job counselor to help us prepare our resumes, go in prepared to our interviews etc. If you're on the line of coming here don't be you'll learn a lot and be able to move forward in your coding journey.
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Charlie Botello Verified via LinkedIn
Challenging / life changing experience
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This was an intense curriculum that is designed to prepare you into the real world of coding. It was an intense challenging and sometimes brutal experience, but you will learn how to operate as a coder. It does become a skill, just like any other one, but much more precious. After graduating there was a great apprenticeship where the Jay (CEO) is a fundamental part of, helps you prepare for job hacking / interviews that proved extremely valuable to get me the job in the field I wanted. I have friends who have C.S. degrees, who where shocked as to the level of knowledge I was able to acquire in a short period.
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Vincent Verified via GitHubActually Realize
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Just got done presenting my final project to a bunch of strangers and realized just how much I have learned through this bootcamp. The initial reason for me choosing to enroll in a bootcamp was because of my past experience in insurance sales and not just how much it sucked, but also how much that industry needed to invest in software engineering and web development. This led to experimenting with websites like Wix or Wordpress and eventually trying to code on my own.
I started out learning to code on my own through freeCodeCamp, CodeAcademy, Watch and Code, and basically every other free course out there. But after 6 months I just felt like I keep relearning the same things at a very slow pace. I looked into coding bootcamps because well, they are advertised every time I was watching coding videos and initially found FullStack. I applied and was accepted but only if I completed their pre-work. I didn't finish it so I went looking for other bootcamps and found Actualize. It worked out because it ended up being a lot cheaper, part-time, and found out it started in Chicago, which was something I thought would be an advantage.
Now that we are done with the class portion, I'm excited to start the apprenticeship and learning the job-hacking skills. I can honestly say a lot of what I learned could definitely be learned on your own. I had already made apps on my own and the first couple weeks were review for me. But that changed pretty quickly as we started to build way more complex applications than what I had been creating through the free online tutorials. We also learned a lot of skills that I couldn't have learned on my own. Like GitHub is something you definitely need to learn but to have to create branches off the project and collaborate with others was not only challenging but a lot of fun.
Ultimately, I'm very satisfied with attending Actualize. I got a better job just for attending it and using it as leverage for the position which is already paying off. Also, looking at the cost dollar per hour, it is still cheaper than most college courses. I would still like to learn more about computer science but that can be learned through a textbook or YouTube videos, which I plan to do.
For anyone looking into bootcamps, I would recommend doing some tutorials first and seeing how much you like debugging your code and if you can sit for hours in front of a computer. Don't worry if you're math-strong but I think logic definitely helps. Also, a lot of people have questions about financing and one piece of advice I can offer, is to ask your current credit card company for a promotional rate. Discover did this for me so I didn't have to open a ton of credit cards like what others suggested to get the promotional APR to pay for it.
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Barry Cooper Verified via GitHubMy Review
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I chose Actualize because of the ability to take the course online and be taught how to become a computer programmer. It's a very intensive program that took up most of my time which I was warned about before taking the class. I think it teaches the fundamentals of programming using Ruby and Vue JS. I learned a lot in a short period of time. The teacher Brian Rice is great. He explains things and demonstrated the exercise in a way that can be followed. The TA's Mitch, Michael, and Jaime all were very helpful in working on my Capstone project. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to get started in computer programming. Just know you won't have much of a life until the course is over.
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Jay Kasturi Verified via GitHublife-changing. thorough programming foundation, incredible pedagogy.
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I am a UX designer with a background in front-end development and design, and I have always wanted to learn to program. I chose Actualize after researching a lot of bootcamps, adn talked to graduates. An acquaintance of mine went to Actualize a few years ago, and had an incredibly positive experience.
Excellent pedagogy to me is the make-or-break of a learning experience. Peter Jang and Jay Wengrow have somehow managed to put together the all-star package: a rigorous, exhaustive curriculum that actually teaches students the fundamentals of programming, while also giving them a complete grounding in the latest technologies. I struggled to learn C++ and Java in high school, and nothing stuck. By the end of this program, I can read code in multiple high-use languages and really understand what is going on, and pick up the syntax. I haven't just learned Ruby, or a Javascript framework. I have learned how to think like a programmer.
Most importantly, Peter and Jay model for the students something truly profound: a relaxed, curious, diligent and humble approach to programming and learning that will impact each and every one of us in our professional careers in a positive way. Tech has a lot of challenges facing its role in our world today, and I feel more positive about my ability to be a positive force in shaping how we use these tools. I know for a fact this is not the sort of pedagogical modeling other programs can offer.
For people working full-time: this program is a challenge. I work 40-60 hours weeks at times as a consultant, and there were weeks where I felt concerned about my ability to keep up. But something Peter said has really stuck with me: "You can't always tell what you're getting used to, what's actually sticking." I stuck with it - even if I couldn't always finish all the exercises, and kept studying and working whenever I could. I am surprised at everything I was able to learn and apply in my capstone project, and am very excited by the growth I've witnessed in my cohort as a whole.
I am looking forward to the apprenticeship and working more closely with Jay after 4 months of Peter's excellent instruction. This experience has been life-changing and given me new sources of confidence and a sense of workability. -
WB Verified via LinkedIn
Course
I had previously completed a mini-bootcamp (from a well reguarded NYC based school) and this experience was undoubtidly superior. For me this differance is 85% related to the head instructor and TA's and 15% course outline.
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Dalton B. Verified via LinkedIn
Great Bootcamp Experience
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After finishing my undergraduate degree and moving to the Chicago area, I had a strong desire to get into the tech field. I began researching coding bootcamps in the area and even visited a few, including Actualize. When I came to Actualize for the first time, it was clear that they were very interested in applicants that actually wanted to find/switch their career as a developer following the bootcamp. Actualize worked well with my schedule and was in-person, which was important to me. The experience was good and I learned the fundamentals of web development, but overall I learned how to code and the skills needed to dive deeper or learn more languages moving forward. I would recommend Actualize to someone who is looking to get their foot into the tech field and has a strong interest in computers/programming/web development. There are so many routes that one can take following the bootcamp and Actualize will make sure you know how to make needed connections in order to (hopefully) find a position following the program. The faculty there really care about the students and are always available to help out with anything.
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Dan Ingenthron Verified via GitHubGreat experience!
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I started looking at bootcamps after deciding to make a career transition, and picked Actualize because the evening schedule would allow me to keep my current job. I had been working with tutorials in a handful of languages for some time, but the instruction at Actualize outpaced everything I had picked up within a couple of weeks. In addition to the tech itself, the focus on problem-solving, project management, and working with a team have had immediately noticeable effects on my professional life. I'm looking forward to continuing into the apprenticeship program!
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Nice guy Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize makes You love be a developer
It is the greatest dcision I have ever took in my life. I am proud of my self and I am happy to be part of Actualize. Auuuuuh /m/
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Alexander Koval Verified via LinkedIn
Excellent Experience
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Doing the Actualize Coding bootcamp was one of the most rewarding experiences of my adult life. If I could go back, 100/100 times I would choose to do it again, even if a career as a developer were to never end up panning out. Over the course of the last 3 months, I learned a great deal about myself, my ability to grapple with and ultimately learn varied new subjects, and the factors that help me boost my productivity. Of course, as you might expect, I also learned a tremendous deal about web development.
A bit of background about myself: I had some previous knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before going into the program, as well as a few years of experience in the general tech field. Originally, I had tried to teach myself web development, but had only gotten so far. I found that my primary hold-up was the time lost researching the next step and getting the fundamentals of web architecture down (web requests, APIs, communication between front-end and back-end technology, etc.). Because of this, after having spent a year trying to teach myself web dev, I could only really construct attractive static pages with minimal JS interactivity.
Actualize changed that for me. After learning more about the technologies defined above, I am now able to craft a fully-fledged web application that can pull in dynamic database data or data from external sources by making API calls. That leap in knowledge cannot be underestimated.
I also feel that, although I would not be considered an expert in any languages or frameworks, I now possess the skills to learn other languages and frameworks. In other words, I have learned a great deal about the fundamentals that permeate the field in general, despite knowing the absolute specifics. That knowledge is enough to get me the rest of the way.
I really cannot say enough good things about this program. From the course curriculum to the structured classes, you can tell that everyone involved in this program legitimately cares about the students. The CEO of Actualize actually interfaced with us a few times throughout the course, and was present when we all presented our final capstone projects. He also provided helpful job placement advice and expertise, and it is clear that the man does his research on topics that will help you get placed. That investment and presence from someone as busy and accomplished as Jay Wengrow really meant a lot to me and made it clear that Actualize was not just in it for the money or to kick students to the curb as soon as they graduated. In fact, an optional 17-month internship helps develop skills and build portfolio pieces even after the course has finished.
The quality of care does not stop there; it flows from the top down. The main instructor for our class, Brian Rice, was truly excellent. He never let us sleep on our exercises or on our faith in ourselves. He was bluntly honest about the sort of trials and tribulations we would experience as fledgling developers, and was there to help push us past those feelings of uncertainty to achieve greater levels of learning. He never held our hand or fed us answers, but was there to provide support if we felt like we were drowning in code or concepts. He expected a great amount from us, but we often rose to meet his expectations, surprising even ourselves. He was incredibly approachable and available, and he and the TAs really made an effort to assist students in their journey through the course. Brian was also able to explain complex topics in relatable ways and help us break down daunting errors bit by bit. Finally, he listened to student feedback and shifted the course accordingly, which really indicated a desire on his part to learn, grow, and meet the students’ needs.
The topics covered spanned a large part of the field of web dev, and seemed to be in alignment with the important topics I’ve researched on my own. We started from the basics of command line, HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript, eventually moving our way up to RESTful architecture, Rails backend API calls, Relational Database structure, SQL queries, Git commands, and modern JavaScript frameworks (VueJS in our instance).
By the end of the course, our capstone projects had us building apps using a frontend Framework (VueJS), a backend framework (Rails), a database (Postgres), and (in my case) several API requests and Javascript plugins. This is something that would have taken me a long time to achieve on my own path of self-learning.
All in all, I am incredibly grateful for the experience. It is not something to take lightly. It will tax you, exhaust you, and challenge you in ways you’ve never been challenged. But if you’re up to the task and want to learn a great deal about this field, then I can’t imagine a better program than Actualize for doing so.
That said, do I feel as though I could step into a dev job right away and be successful? I’m not sure. I know MUCH more than I did, but there is also an infinite amount of knowledge to know. The instructors at Actualize utilize every second of class time moving you toward the goal of becoming a full stack developer, but there are so many things that 3 months cannot cover, no matter how rigorous. However, a few more weeks of independent study learning more about computer science topics, sound software design principles, the nuances of certain languages, and the finer workings of the DOM should get me to where I need to be.
Regardless, I am forever grateful to Actualize for providing the experience and look forward to a future career in the field of web development.
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Deleyla Verified via LinkedIn
Excellent Program for Working Adults or Individuals with Families
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I was introduced to Actualize through the Women Who Code monthly newsletter. They were offering a diversity scholarship, and as a single mom and someone who had been interested in pursuing Software Engineering but did not have the funds to do so, I reached out and applied. The application process and interview were organized and thorough which gave me the sense that the program would be similar. I received the partial scholarship and Actualize worked with me so that I could pay off the remainder on a monthly basis so as to not break the bank before the classes begun.
The prep work in the month leading up to the course prepared me well for the first month of class. I was apprehensive about what the online environment would look like and whether it would be as structured as the in person environment that I had grown accustomed to in college. Utilizing Zoom software, it ended up being just like you were in class, except you could take class from the comfort of your own home and in your own pajamas.
Brian, our instructor, had a few rules. 1) Be on time - class started promptly at 6 pm CST. There are no exceptions to this, so if you take this course you need to make sure that you coodinate your schedule so that you can be on time and ready for class. I definitely had to do some work as my normal workday went until 5:30 pm CST - there were a few days where because of the weather and traffic I would have to leave work as much as two hours before class just to make sure I could get to class on time. 2) Try - there were a lot of situations where I hit a mental wall and wanted to be rescued. In those cases, I needed to take a break and look through my material and retrace my steps and once I did all of that, if I still couldn't find the answer, then and only then could I ask for help. This sounds harsh but it prepares you for what it will be like in the work environment.
Overall, I feel like I learned a lot from the course and I feel that it gave me a solid foundation from which to go forward and build upon. In terms of what I would change - I definitely feel like there needs to be far more of "I do, We do, You do" instructional process. Often times, Brian would demo what we were about to do and then tell us to go do it, without supplemental documents. Then he would demo and at that point, I could do the work along with him to figure out where I went wrong. It would be more helpful, in my opinion, if he demoed first, then did the exercise with us and then gave us a similar exercise to practice on our own to reiterate what we just learned with supplemental documents to refer to along the way. Additionally, more supplemental documents- just like a textbook for a college course, it would be nice if we had documents that reemphasized our tutorials that we could refer to over time until we master the processes.
I recommend this program highly. In terms of cost and content, this is a program that's overall value beats out most of the rest. Best of luck to you!
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Raul Roman Verified via LinkedIn
Actualize had the perfect environment.
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Great curriculmum and we moved at a good pace learning everything. The instructor brian did such a good job helping you understand how to solve problems rather then just giving you a simple answer to move past it. The TA's were great as well helping out as much as they could with our large online cohort. For anyone who is looking for an in class kind of setting with out having to meet at a central location this is the best option in my opinion. Classmates were super cool and we offered help to each other often. You can tell the company has "growth mindset" for their students at all times....thanks
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Cole Verified via LinkedIn
Excellent Instructor!
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After spending a couple years in college, I found that the traditional way of learning material wasn't the best the fit for me. I was two years away from graduating in electrical engineering and minoir in computer programming. That's when I decided to make a switch to full time computer programming, figure out if I was wanted to spend 3-4 more years in college or to join an accelerated program that will teach me the tools to become successful in this caraer. Actualize was the first one on the list to check out and see if this was the place to do that. After seeing the place and going through the interview progress, I decide yes this is the place. It was a great place for people who had no programming background and people who had some background too. My bootcamp class size was 15 students, which I felt was the perfect size. The class wasn't big enough where it was impossible to get help from the instructor or the TA's nor to small where you felt secluded from learning this new material. After going through this bootcamp, I would recommend this bootcamp to anyone who is looking to get into web development.
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Tyler Verified via LinkedIn
Great Experience
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My bootcamp experience was awesome. The class sizes are perfect, and you get the sense that the teachers genuinely care about the success of the students. The one month pre-work (at home) was a good introduction to the material, and you really hit the ground running once the night classes begin. The environment was friendly, and the exercises were challenging, and pushed me to become a better developer.
One of the more overlooked aspects of bootcamps is "job hacking" and I think this is really what sets Actualize apart. We took time every week to talk about how to get a job, and how to prepare for interviews. They had exercises in class that made us get over our fears of reaching out and meeting people in the industry. Having just presented my final project, I can honestly say I'd recommend this experience to anyone looking to start a bootcamp. Regardless of your level going in, you're going to get a lot out of this class!
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John Long Verified via LinkedIn
Look No Further
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I couldn't say enough good things about the program and more importantly the people here. The instructors at Actualize are educators first, programmers second which makes a big difference in the learning process. I feel confident in the skills I've gained from the bootcamp (Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, etc) and I'm looking forward to applying my knowledge on the road ahead.
One of the things I love about Actualize is the immediate feeling you get that the educators here are looking out for you, the student, and will guide you until you reach the goal set for yourself. The bootcamp environment quickly becomes a second home and the atmosphere is wonderful.
Don't hesitate to get in contact with Actualize, all of the people here are super down to earth. Suffice to say this bootcamp has exceeded my expectations and is well worth the cost!
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Jesus Verified via LinkedIn
Web Developer
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The program was a great experience. I really enjoyed going to class and learning something new. The instructor was real awesome (Josh). He was very knowledgeable on each subject and made it fun as much as possible. Had so many great laughs while learning. The TA's very awesome as well. Everyone was friendly and tried to help you out as much as possible so they can help you succeed in the course. I had very little experience when it came to coding but after this program, I feel confident in my skills to create a web app. If you are looking for a place to start your web development career then go with Actualize. It is worth the investment. Great environment, great people, and a great experience.
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Jack Chambers Verified via LinkedIn
Comprehensive and Worthwhile For Anyone
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I applied for Actualize just coming out of college with a bachelor's in philosophy and a minor in computer science. After a few months of applying to software engineering jobs and getting nowhere, I was worried I was underqualified for a position in the industry but also felt like signing up for a bootcamp or going back to school for a Computer Science degree would be mostly redundant. I told all this to Jay, the CEO of Actualize, when he called me right after I submitted my application. He was personable and seemed to know exactly where I was coming from, and so I decided to follow through and join the online cohort.
Within a week or so of the class starting it was apparent that though the course starts assuming no knowledge of CS or programming, it's ultimately open-ended and allows for people with a variety of skill levels to feel challenged and rewarded for putting in the effort to learn something new to them. More than just learning the technology and programming languages, this course has made me feel way more confident in my ability to learn any concepts a new project might require. The best part is that this is the explicit purpose of Actualize's course, and something I think any bootcamp should emphasize in their curiculum.
Everyone I've interacted with at Actualize, from Jay to the my instructors are all great people who genuinely care about teaching you and giving you the opportunity to teach yourself. I highly recommend taking Actualize's course if you are someone who is passionate about learning new things and wants to break into the software industry!
