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Actualize is an online software engineering bootcamp based in Chicago that offers part-time and full-time bootcamp options. Instructors with professional educational experience teach students full stack web development including Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, VueJS, SQL, and Git. The Online Live classes are conducted in real time with video conferencing. Actualize has a deeply integrated “Job Hacking” curriculum focused on the personal branding and networking skills necessary to land a new job, which Actualize feels is just as important as learning to code.
To apply, students can submit an application via the website, then go through a series of two interviews with an admissions advisor. There are no coding challenges, but students must complete 4 weeks of prework before the program starts.
After the program, students have the option to join its unique Career Support program, which contains additional training for Job Hacking, a job accountability group, and team projects to add to one’s portfolio.
I chose Actualize because:
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I was nervous about the logistics of doing the class online (audio/video quality, screensharing, etc) but that worked perfectly for me the whole time. In fact, the abili...
I chose Actualize because:
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I was nervous about the logistics of doing the class online (audio/video quality, screensharing, etc) but that worked perfectly for me the whole time. In fact, the ability to view the instructor's screen during the lessons & share my screen during exercises was extra helpful.
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Part-time was a great option for me. I would have burned out in a full-time program because of how intensive each session was.
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The content is not too hard for anyone. It’s the way the content is presented. There were a number of times when I would study, re-review materials, finally grasp a concept & then realize it could have been explained in much more clear/precise terms. This is the problem with the coding community as a whole but Actualize doesn’t do much better than average in this regard.
In addition, I was disappointed with the depth of content outside of Ruby on Rails. I feel like we flew by Javascript, SQL, Python, Heroku, etc. Maybe this is a tough balance for any bootcamp though?
Still, you are left with tons of great resources after the course is done!
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My instructor was Brian. He is an excellent teacher- super patient, knows lots of tricks for learning/teaching the content & tries his hardest to be sure no student is left behind. He did a great job of teaching me how to learn to code. More than anything I appreciated that Brian could put his ego aside & admit when he didn't know something or was wrong; it showed he was willing to learn too (which was encouraging). Brian does have kind of old-world/rigid ideas about punctuality & civil discourse. That was obnoxious but maybe others in my cohort didn't mind as much & he might have just been that way to protect his job, I dunno.
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Stories from my experience that might be useful:
How much does Actualize cost?
Actualize costs around $16,900.
What courses does Actualize teach?
Actualize offers courses like Web Development.
Where does Actualize have campuses?
Actualize has in-person campuses in Chicago. Actualize also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is Actualize worth it?
Actualize hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 577 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize on Course Report - you should start there!
Is Actualize legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 577 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and rate their overall experience a 4.93 out of 5.
Does Actualize offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like Actualize offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Can I read Actualize reviews?
You can read 577 reviews of Actualize on Course Report! Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and rate their overall experience a 4.93 out of 5.
Is Actualize accredited?
No
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