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Actualize

Average Rating 4.93
612 Reviews • 1 Course

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

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

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

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

Reviews

612 reviews of Actualize

Schools can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Course Report never suppresses negative reviews.
  • Brittani Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Graduate

    My experience at Actualize exceeded my expectations. When I began the boot camp I had very limited coding knowledge and upon exiting I feel extremely confident and well equipped with my skills. I chose Actualize over other boot camps because of the curriculum and support system that is available, which did not disappoint. I would recommend Actualize to anyone that is considering making the transition into the coding world!

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted November 15, 2019
  • Myalisa
    Myalisa Verified via GitHub
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Actualize Chicago

    I could not be more thankful for the experience I've had at Actualize. The support and encouragement from all of the instructors, the hands-on tutoring and instruction, and the valuable job search training are all reasons why I'm thankful that I chose Actualize above other boot camps. 

    I would recommend this boot camp to anyone who is even considering learning to code. Although the course material is challenging, I never felt like I didn't have enough resources to get through tough projects or concepts. This boot camp gives you such a great conceptual understanding of programming that by the end of it, you will feel confident to take on any programming language.

    Truly grateful to everyone at Actualize for my experience, and I'm happy to be a part of such a warm and encouraging community.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted November 15, 2019
  • Angel Walker Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Online Bootcamp Experience

    My experience with the online bootcamp has been amazing. There were 10 people in my class and we all got along really well. The instructor, Dani, is a badass. She knows the material backwards and forwards. Every instructional section of the class is recorded and uploaded so we can review as often as we like. I always felt comfortable asking questions. The use of breakout rooms made one-on-one time with Dani or one of the TAs easy to arrange. I never felt like I was missing out on instructional time because the course was taught online.

    Classes start on time, and there are generous breaks so the class time is manageable. The course can seem overwhelming at times, but the pace of instruction is well thoughout. The final capstone project brings everything together at the end. I almost wish the course was one week longer to give us more time to fine tune and adjust our project prior to the final presentation. Even though I only know the other students via Zoom, I feel like we got to know each other well and will definitely keep in touch with each other long after the course ends.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted November 14, 2019
  • Tehilla Verified via LinkedIn
    Student · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduation year 2019

    amazing bootcamp experience

    I have had a really incredible experience at Actualize. I started the bootcamp with no background or experience on coding or web development. The amount that I have learned in the past 4 months amazes me. One thing that makes Actualize stand out is how the curriculum breaks down complex coding concepts into lessons that are easy to understand. My instructor, Peter, is a natural and patient teacher and made class a positive and enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend Actualize to anyone looking to attend a bootcamp.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 6, 2019
  • Sim Sitzer Verified via LinkedIn
    University Student · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Awesome

    I did the Online Live Bootcamp and it was great, I can now confidentally say that I know how to code and more importantly how to learn how to code. Actualize focuses on teaching you how to learn, because no one ever will be a coding master in all areas, it's just too vast. Online sounds kind of anti-social but it really was Online Live. Actualize uses Zoom and it really works very smooth. My one bad part is the price, it costed me $12,900 total which is pretty hefty for only 3 months + 1 month of non-live pre-work. But Actualize is about the same price as most bootcamps, some are even more expensive, so it's all good.

    I reccomend! If you work hard with the Job Hacking you can defineltely land a job but it's not for sure. I didn't look for a job after, I'm in College.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 5, 2019
  • Travis Knight Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Thinking about Actualize? Just do it.

    I first heard of Actualize through a random comment on a Chicago subreddit. I reached out to the user and asked about their experience. It sounded right up my alley so I sat in on a class. I was immediately drawn to Peter's teaching style. I also spent a lot of time talking to the TA, Jennifer, about her own experience. She was also wildly helpful in my decision making process.

    Fast forward eight months and I just presented my final capstone project. It is an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Would highly recommend. 

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 5, 2019
  • Bart Stachurski Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Learning How to Learn

    TL/DR: 10/10 would recommend.

    Actualize has been an amazing experience. Over the past few months I have learned so much about coding but more importantly I am coming away from this program with a belief that I can figure out just about anything in terms of coding. 

    Actualize focuses on teaching you how to teach yourself how to code so that you feel comfortable about tackling any problem. It's not about memorizing syntax or best practices. 

    I specifically took this course because of the remote video-conference structure. Since I was working full-time, I needed to take a course in the evenings. I was deciding between a course at a nearby college and Actualize but ultimatley went with Actualize because I realized there were a lot of extra logistics required with attending at a physical location, such as: parking at the school, dinner, coming back home after class would be even more difficult to find parking by my house....etc. Actualize gave me a near-as-makes-no-difference in-person experience without the hassles of being there in person.

    The teacher, TA, and job-hacking instructor were all stellar. Concepts are explained at a challengning, but attainable, pace and everyone is generally available to you outside of class time as needed.

    I have never learned so much in four months, and I definitely didn't expect to have as much fun as I did doing it. One of the best surprises from this was that I feel so close with all of my classmates. I was worried that the remote nature of the course might lead to people not being as engaged in class but it couldnt be further from the truth.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 5, 2019
  • Adam
    Adam Verified via GitHub
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Awesome

    I chose Actualize because when I talked to the staff and admissions, I got the feeling that they were interested in teaching me, not just enrolling me. I appreciated that the focus of the 12 weeks was not just on teaching us valuable skills, but also on teaching us how to continue developing our skills once the bootcamp was over.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    4.0
    Job support
    4.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 5, 2019
  • Mike
    Mike Verified via GitHub
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Actualize review

    The learning and classroom experience in the online cohort of Actualize was far more personal and welcoming than one would think when considering joining an online class. The instructors have a real passion for their work but it's their passion for wanting to teach others that really makes the miles between each student shrink. They are very understanding and want to help you with every problem that you have as stupid as it may seem to you, because they understand that you're learning and that you have tons of information being thrown at you. The growth mindset that Brian and Lisa taught us made moving forward and learning new concepts easier every day and that makes me very confident transitioning into my future as a web developer.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 5, 2019
  • Shane Psoinos
    Shane Psoinos Verified via GitHub
    Student · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduation year 2019

    Actualize Online Live

    After just two short weeks of online class, I was completely floored with the amount of information I learned in such a short time. The instructor has great teaching skills and is very patient with the cohort, answering all of our questions and more often than not pointing us in the right direction to figure out our own problems ourselves, creating an actual learning moment for us. I loved the course and am very grateful to have been a part of this experience. 5/5

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted September 5, 2019
  • Susmita Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · Graduated 2019

    Actualize Review

    I am amazed by all the information we have learned in just four months! Coming into Actualize I had very little experience with coding and web development, however, by the end of the course, I was able to create a complete web application by myself with both a working front-end and a back-end. I took the part-time online course while working a full-time job and while the course was challenging at times it was still both manageable and enjoyable. Actualize provided me with a very strong foundation to continue learning upon. Whenever I had questions the instructors were readily available. There is also a great job hacking program in place for graduates which not only helps grads with finding jobs but also helps in making sure we continue coding and learning through graduate initiative projects. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in starting a career in web development.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 15, 2019
  • Videsh Patel Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Best bootcamp out there.

    This is probably one of the best bootcamps out there. They provide you everything you need to succeed and also has as strong job placement program. 

    It is amazing how much you will learn in 12 weeks. I can say that this has build a great foundation for me to pursue my career. 

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 15, 2019
  • Joey Harbert Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Online Coding Bootcamp

    I heard about Actualize through google and sites like this one. Really wonderful experience! Great pace, really responsive staff, always ready to help you through any questions you have. At the end, you'll have a project you have built that you can add to your portfolio, as well as skills to start the inevitable job hunt. The main course focus is on programming fundamentals using Ruby, back-end API development using Ruby on Rails, front end with Vue.js as well as some quick detours here and there. Not sure what any of that means? No problem! Through the course pre-work and first couple weeks of the camp, Actualize will get you up to speed. You'll leave with skills to help you feel confident as you enter the workforce. They teach you the building blocks of coding, as well as how to apply those building blocks to new languages, which is invaluable. I would recommend Actualize to coding newbies and intermediate coders. I will say, if you're advanced (in web-development) and looking to brush up or learn a new language in a structured environment, you will certainly be able to do that here, it will just be at a pace that is slower than what you'd probably want.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 15, 2019
  • Adrian Fernandez Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Overall, a great experience!

    Before enrolling into Actualize, I researched so many different coding bootcamps, but Actualize was the one that stood out the most to me. I had no prior coding experience, though it was tough, I gained so much insight and made my very own app! Everyone here is great, supportive, and understandable. That's something I truly enjoyed the most, that they understood this isn't going to be easy, but made sure I pulled through. I highly recommend Actualize to anyone who's experienced or not. Great way to take the first step into Software Development.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 15, 2019
  • Preston
    Preston Verified via GitHub
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Graduate

    Course work was unbelievably challenging and the pace was dizzying, but the online course was easily as rewarding as any class I've taken in person. Brian and his TA Josh went above and beyond in being engaging, present, and accessible. There is a delicate balance between teaching someone and giving them the answer, especially when the pace of learning is so accelerated. The instructors walked that line delicately. My only complaint was that there wasn't more time to learn.

    Overall
    4.0
    Curriculum
    4.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 15, 2019
  • Daniel Hovorka Verified via LinkedIn
    Support Engineer · Graduated 2019

    My Actualize Experience

    I heard about Actualize through some developers at the company I work for. They had started their careers here and have been quite successful. That was enough of a testimonial for me to commit.

    The overall experience was what I was looking for which was a wholeistic approach to software engineering.  No bootcamp is going to turn you into a master coder but it will show you the fundamentals and give you a solid foundation to build off of. You will get out of this course what you put into it.

    Actualize is a good chocie for someone who has an idea of what they want. I believe having clear goals in mind prior to starting bootcamp is important. I did the night cohort which meant long days but in the end was very much worth it.  At the end of bootcamp I was able to make an internal transition to the development team at my company.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 9, 2019
  • Jon
    Jon Verified via GitHub
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Actualize review

    I chose Actualize based on the night program that allowed me to keep my job during the day. Also the location was great as I already worked downtown. The experience was great I learned a TON. I really needed a classroom setting with an instructor to take the next step in my development and Actualize provided just that. I would recommend this Bootcamp to anyone interested in web development or looking to sharpen their skills as a web developer. It is a great place to learn no matter what your background is. The instructors and everyone involved were awesome. 

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 9, 2019
  • Brandon Ray Verified via LinkedIn
    Student · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduation year 2019

    Learn how to be a Programmer, not how to memorize code

    I chose Actualize among all the other bootcamp alternatives because they seemed to focus a lot on pedagogy, the process of teaching and learning. I knew that technical expertise wouldn't mean much if the instructors didn't know how to convey that expertise in a way that helped students grow. And boy, did Actualize deliver. Every step of the way, I felt challenged but always supported. I was given the gift of learning *how to be a programmer*, not how to memorize a specific syntax. I know, going forward, that I can fill in the gaps of what I don't know, and continue to grow as a developer becuase of the skills I learned here. It's the best decision I've ever made from a professional/education standpoint, and I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who is seeking to become a programmer.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 9, 2019
  • Mike Browne Verified via LinkedIn
    Data Analyst · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduation year 2019

    Actualize Review

    Peter Jang lead an intesne 12 week bootcamp where I got to learn the fundamentals of coding and how to think like a developer. I would recommend Actualize highly to anyone who is looking to enter the coding world or improve their skills. Not only is the curriculum well planned, but their job assistance that comes with the bootcamp is wonderful. 

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted May 9, 2019
  • Michael Dotson Verified via LinkedIn
    Graduate · AI + Fullstack Engineering · Graduated 2019

    Definitely worth your time, IF you're serious about learning to code!

    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.

    Overall
    5.0
    Curriculum
    5.0
    Job support
    5.0
    Instructors
    5.0
    Flag Submitted March 29, 2019
Courses

1 Actualize Course

Full details, syllabus, tuition, and reviews available on each course page.

News

Recent Actualize News

Jess Feldman
Jess Feldman
Updated December 01, 2025
As a response to the COVID pandemic in 2020, most in-person bootcamps quickly transitioned to online or remote classrooms. In 2025, hybrid classrooms and immersive online learning continue to be popular, but in-person bootcamp options are available again. If you’ve been waiting for an in-person classroom to start your career change, then here are the 30 in-person coding bootcamps with campuses ...
Jess Feldman
Jess Feldman
Updated December 01, 2025
Oh Summer, one of the best seasons of the year! While it’s a time to relax, bask in the sun, and plan trips with family and friends, summer is also an awesome time to learn. If you’re a current student, teacher, or professional looking to learn to code, a summer bootcamp is a great opportunity to learn to code in a short time frame. Various coding bootcamps offer summer courses to help you laun...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated December 04, 2024
The landscape of online coding bootcamps is vast – ranging from $30/month subscriptions to full-time bootcamps that cost around $20,000. And many online coding programs now offer Income Share Agreements (ISA), which adds another layer of complexity when comparing online coding bootcamp costs. In addition to flexibility, remote code bootcamps cost less than in-person bootcamps – the average onli...
Imogen Crispe
Imogen Crispe
Updated November 29, 2018
This November has been super busy in the immersive coding education world, and at Course Report! We read about how Amazon’s new headquarters will impact the coding bootcamps in New York City, we celebrated successful coding bootcamp grads, we were sad to hear that a school is closing, we heard advice for being successful at bootcamp, and found out about new initiatives to improve diversity in t...
Lauren Stewart
Lauren Stewart
Updated October 21, 2020
Jay Wengrow founded part-time web development bootcamp and apprenticeship program Actualize in Chicago in 2014 to make learning to code efficient and accessible. Now the coding bootcamp has campuses in New York and San Francisco, and in June 2017 they are launching their new online part-time program to further reduce barriers to entry into tech. We asked Jay about the format of the new online c...
Imogen Crispe
Imogen Crispe
Updated December 04, 2024
How do you get a job after coding bootcamp if you have no relevant, real-world work experience? Only 1.4% of bootcampers have worked as developers in the past, but most career-changers have little – if any– client experience when they start looking for a developer job. Some bootcamps help students overcome this hurdle by offering opportunities to work for the bootcamp itself, or with real clien...
Imogen Crispe
Imogen Crispe
Updated March 31, 2016
Luke was ready to make the transition from chemical engineer to software engineer, but wasn’t ready to quit his full-time job. He found part-time coding bootcamp Anyone Can Learn to Code in San Francisco, learned to code while working full-time, then got real-world experience in his apprenticeship with The Difference Engine- an opportunity that ACLTC guarantees all its grads. Luke tells us the ...
Kassia Shishkoff
Kassia Shishkoff
Updated October 21, 2020
If you’re determined to learn to code, there are a lot of factors you should consider when deciding how to accomplish your goal. What sort of budget do you have for the tools you might need? How much free time do you have, or are you willing to make? Do you want to quit your job and learn full-time? Another factor to consider is your own style of learning. Kassia Shishkoff of Anyone Can Learn t...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated February 03, 2016
Thinking about applying to Anyone Can Learn to Code? The part-time Chicago programming bootcamp just opened a new campus in San Francisco and is a great option for career-oriented bootcampers who can't quit their day jobs quite yet. But not everyone is accepted into Anyone Can Learn to Code, so what can you do to ace the interview? We're covering the Anyone Can Learn to Code interview and appli...
Nick Toscano
Nick Toscano
Updated April 30, 2019
Chicago is currently home to a growing lot of coding bootcamp and web immersion programs tasked with preparing students for a lucrative career in web development. Course providers in Chicago have something for everyone with intensive programs in JavaScript, Ruby and Rails, Java and .NET. There is a healthy selection of full-time courses as well as part-time bootcamps, workshops, and night and w...
Harry Hantel
Harry Hantel
Updated September 17, 2026
Welcome to the April News Roundup, your monthly news digest full of the most interesting articles and announcements in the bootcamp space. Want your bootcamp's news to be included in the next News Roundup? Submit announcements of new courses, scholarships, or open jobs at your school! 9 Bootcamp Headlines​ Coding bootcamps find homes at accredited universities. Could This Hybrid Approach Be the...
Jess Feldman
Jess Feldman
Updated October 24, 2025
While quitting your job and diving headfirst into your coding education can yield impressive results, we also understand that not everybody can commit to a full-time, 12-week programming bootcamp. Jobs, school, families - life, in general, can prevent that kind of commitment. For all the students who can’t give 40 hours a week to a code school, we’re outlining some part-time web development boo...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated February 08, 2021
Oscar Cisneros was at a job with little opportunity for growth when he was encouraged to learn programming by a tech recruiter. After reading about Anyone Can Learn to Code (now called Actualize) in Chicago, Oscar decided to take the plunge. He's now working as a developer at startup CancerIQ and says "things couldn’t have worked out any better." We talk to Oscar about his experience and career...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated December 01, 2014
Chelsea Dommert moved to Chicago specifically to attend Anyone Can Learn to Code, a part-time, intensive web development bootcamp. The risk paid off- with her new skills, she is starting as a web developer at Pivotal Labs today! We talk to Chelsea about the teaching style at Anyone Can Learn to Code, how her past experience helped inspire her final project, and the importance of attending confe...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated January 23, 2014
Anyone Can Learn To Code, based in Chicago, launches in June 2014, and can turn you into a web developer in 12 weeks. The best news? You don't even have to quit your job. We talk to founder Jay Wengrow about his background in tech and education, his choice to teach beyond "Vanilla" Rails, and how focused Chicago students can learn to code without leaving their jobs. What is your background and ...
FAQ

Actualize FAQs

Find answers to the most-asked questions.

Is Actualize worth it?

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

How much does Actualize cost?

Actualize courses cost up to $16,900 for AI + Fullstack Engineering.

What courses does Actualize teach?

Actualize offers courses like AI + Fullstack Engineering.

Where does Actualize have campuses?

Actualize teaches students Online in a remote classroom.

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.

Is Actualize legit?

We let alumni answer that question. 612 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and shared their experiences. Their overall rating is 4.93 out of 5.

Can I read Actualize reviews?

You can read 612 reviews of Actualize on Course Report! Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and shared their experiences. Their overall rating is 4.93 out of 5.

Is Actualize accredited?

No

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