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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 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 rem...
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!
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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