App Academy

App Academy is a difficult and rewarding experience. If you are considering attending, know that you should be committing yourself full time. I am very excited with how much I have progressed and am looking forward to my future career opportunities. If you put in the recommended amount of time, and prepare in advance, you will succeed.

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App Academy is an intensive 16 week bootcamp that focuses on teaching you Ruby on Rails, React, and Javascript. What I think App Academy does well is teaching you the basics of coding. From never having coding experience to building a fully functional website in 4 months. But you have to be ready to learn. There is so much material it's impossible to do everything and thankfully the TAs are always there to help you. There's assessments every week to keep you on your toes but if you study you should be fine. After you finish the curriculum you spend time with career coaches that you guide you to finding a job which is really nice! Overall, a great experience and game changer.

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I had a great experience learning at a/A. It was a very hard program and required a lot of dedication. However, the end result is very rewarding. a/A also has one of the best teaching staffs I've seen. Overall, I learned a lot and I feel ready to start working at any job.

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The reason I choose to attend App Academy over other bootcamps is because of its proven success in regards to job outcomes. I am writing this review one day before the last day of the cohort, therefore I do not yet know when and where I will land a job. In terms of the actual program, I will begin by saying that it is VERY intense and I noticed that the students that excelled the most were not necessarily born geniuses but the ones that were willing to dedicate 100% of their time and effort into the cohort. They were not only focused during the routine 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. day but were also studying every day until 10 p.m. including weekends. Your work and effort inputted will be the direct result of the results your achieve in the program. So my advice to anyone that will be attending AA is that you should seriously commit 100% of your time to learning the material. I believe that the program is definitely worth it and it is a life changing experience.

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App Academy is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t like rules and tests and mandatory attendance, then it may not be for you. Be ready to give up your entire social life and any hobbies for 3-4 months so you can spend every waking moment studying, or else you will fail out of the program. You'll be spending all day in a stuffy room with no windows and blinding fluorescent lights that will give you migraines.   That being said, the fast pace and strict requirements give you no choice but to stay focused and learn more than you thought was possible. There are some amazing TAs who are extremely knowledgeable and genuinely care about helping the students learn and grow.   We spent a lot of time doing pair programming, which is a great way to learn if you like thinking out loud and working through problems with a partner. I didn’t get as much out of the lectures we had almost every day for the first two months. It’s really hard to pay attention while sitting in a dark room staring at a power point for 3 hours straight.   Thankfully, they’re always collecting feedback so they can keep improving the program.   All in all, if you want to learn software development and you need help with motivation and direction, App Academy is an excellent choice.  Read less

I'm writing this review for a hoodie and everything written here is my personal experience.

Cons:
It's really expensive to live in SF and have no income.
It's stressful and demands a lot of your time. Don't expect to have much free time if you want to do well.
Assessments sucks . It feels like you're only studying to pass them and it's sucks to see people fail and get kicked out.
Pair programming can suck at times but it's part of the learning process.
The curriculum is a bit outdated and instructions can be very unclear.

Pros:
You're surrounded by smart hardworking people who you'll quickly befriend.
You learn a lot in a very short amount of time and it's fun doing it.
The curriculum is quickly being updated and the TA's are really supportive.
It beats going to college for 4 years to get a computer science degree.

Take away:
I think it was worth it for the skills that I learned.
I came in knowing nothing and I can definitely build my own web apps now that I've gone through it, and I have.
A bootcamp is only the first step. If you have the motivation to see it through to the end you'll be fine.

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i was a bit skeptical upon entering app academy. But after the brief 16 weeks here, it's safe to say it was the best decision i've ever made. AA provided me the tools neccessary to become a software engineer and i'm not looking back!

tips for all new comers! 

 

trust the process!

 

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App Academy was a really good experience. I was pretty skeptical when I first applied wondering how much I could actually learn in 3 months span. But now that I am done, I am very confident in the skills that I have learned here and can call myself a software engineer with pride. 

Be prepared to dedicate almost all your time to aA tho.

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My experience at App Academy was great. I'm really glad I decided to make the time commitment and learn about software development.

With so much material to learn in such a short amount of time, it can be stressful and demanding. Be prepared to sacrifice your time and parts of your social life for a rigorous 3+ month course. But don't get me wrong, it is incredibly fulfilling and rewarding knowing you were able to get through the program and learn so much in such a short period of time.

The best part about the bootcamp are the TAs. They are all veyr knowledgable and qualified, but more importantly, they are all genuinely great people who are always willing to help.

As long as you have a desire to learn and are willing to work hard, you will be successful at App Academy

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My time at app academy is coming to an end, and I'm glad I went through the program. I had debated for a while whether or not to actually do it since it is a bit of a risk to quit a job and commit to being unemployed for 4+ month, but now that I'm on the other side of it I'm glad I did it. It was pretty stressful during the program, but there is a ton of support if you are able/willing to put the time in. I had other  commitments outside of this class that I couldn't/didn't want to put on hold, which made it difficult to put in the time needed, but even with that I think it is doable. 

One other note: I think you need to somewhat enjoy coding to be able to get through it. The promise of a good job gets you far, but if you really don't like it you will burn out hard, and this class is too fast paced to have a slump that lasts more than a few days. 

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I entered this bootcamp knowing little to nothing about coding. I have coded a bit in college but the curriculum that I went through was nothing I could prepare for. It was a grueling 24 week process of constant learning and coding everyday, where some days the material isn't too hard to understand while other days it was brutal to take in so much new information. Even so, looking back I am amazed at how much I have learned and the things I can do now that I couldn't do before. The job search portion of the program is also very helpful: App Academy will list exactly what you need to do to stand out amongst your peers to get a job as soon as possible. All in all, this is a great program and would definitely recommend to those looking to become a software engineer. 

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I am a software engineer with about 10+ years of experience and an MS in Computer Science so I expected to cruise through the boot-camp. Well, that did NOT happen!
What happened instead was that I learned a lot about Web-development ( not part of my work experience), got challenged on a daily basis, had many frustrating times when I didn't 'get' what was being taught, but at the same time had a lot of fun. I also learned so much about 'soft skills' like building my Personal pitch, Resume, cover-letter etc...That part of curriculum is equally important (if not more) and it is a game-changer. No school or workplace teaches this, so if you get these right you have an unfair advantage over others.

I believe I had a unique vantage point in the sense that I was one of the few students who had software industry experience prior to app Academy. For people in my category -
a) Check your ego at the door. app Academy picks really sharp people. You WILL be challenged, sometimes by people half your age. Don't resist it, embrace it for the learning experience it is.
b) Get your stuff in order. The kids need to be sent to child-care. Household stuff needs to be delegated/outsourced. You will need to be there for every minute of the 9 hours of class and then some.

All in all a really positive experience and totally worth it.

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This course was very tough, but in the end I'm very happy that I took it. It was such a rewarding experience and I have learned many valuable things throughout the course. All of the TAs I have met were super friendly and highly knowledgable in the curriculum. If you're ever struggling (which I have been many a time), they take the time to sit with you and walk you through what you need help with. There is plenty of material for you to go through and study, and they also provide a lot of resources for you to use. By the end of the programming you're building your own websites by yourself and with a team. The satisfaction of creating your own functional website from scratch is very satisfying, kind of like the cherry on top of the program. If I could complain about one thing, it would probably be the amount of videos we had to watch during class on certain days. I feel like the in person cohort would have been better when it came to those days. However, that being said, my overall experience has been wonderful and I have learned so many things here at App Academy.

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The course is intense but well worth it.  I've probably learned as much in the several months of this course as I did in 4 years of college.
The languages and sheer number of technologies they put into the program really leaves you well rounded and prepared for the job market, not to mention how much effort they put into coaching you and getting you set for the job hunt itself.  The instructors were also simply stellar, a well-rounded cast to be sure and are shockingly patient, composed, and positive everyday of class.
Most of the apps and projects are a lot of fun, and each of them demonstrates multiple core principles.  Everything builds on material from the previous day.  Tests are challenging but are 100% covered by the material you learn and you're always given ample time to study and ask questions if you're feeling uneasy.

My background was in physics and mathematics prior, and I have to admit strong mathematics skills can really help, not to mention a lot of the prior coding experience I had.  But don't let that get you down, the aces of our cohort disliked math and/or had no prior experience in programming and still ended up coming out on top!

My only complaint is that the course felt a little rushed towards the last few weeks.  Luckily by that point you'll be a veteran and have no problem using the skills you've picked up to fill in the gaps. 

This program is rigorous and will genuinely consume your life when you're in the midst of it, but it's well worth your commitment.

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I worked in regulatory compliance for 4 years before it was time for a career change.  I didn't think I had the chops to get into App Academy based on what I knew about their rigorous admissions process, but I slogged my way through and before I knew it, I was admitted into App Academy's first Online Cohort.  

App Academy is worth it.  Definitely worth it.  The quality of the course is top notch and it made me a lethal enough programmer that I was hired into a great position in Washington DC within a few weeks of graduating.  

That being said, if you want to get there, you have to be ready and willing to put in the work.  This course is *hard*.  I'm talking 100+ hours per week, hard.  Into this work, you'll have to pour your blood, tears, toil, and sweat.  But if you take it seriously right from the get go, you'll make it through and you'll be glad you went through all the trouble!

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Though the curriculum is a little dated, the instructors are all very knowledgeable and the program is taught very well. The job support is great too. They have a whole team of career coaches that guide us and teach us the best methods to find jobs after the program ends.

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If you've read through even a few reviews for App Academy you're well aware that you're signing up for a serious grind. It bears repeating. For me, the biggest challenge early on was getting used to the sheer workload and still finding time for eating and sleeping. The first 8 weeks, be prepared to have new concepts thrown at you daily. Expect to spend 8 hours on campus working, and then at least 4-5 hours doing homework. In order to pass the periodic assessments, you'll also need to commit 10-12 hours a day on the weekends.

Once you're in the program, fight for your education! There is limited TA availability outside of when you're pair programming. While pairing, you have access to an "Ask a Question" feature within the online curriculum. After not making progress on any one task for more than 15 minutes, smash that button early and often. TAs have a knack for identifying issues and explaining concepts quickly, in a way that is easier to absorb than in the curriculum.

Pros:

• Talented and knowledgeable TAs
• Challenging curriculum that will push you to become a better programmer every single day
• Pair programming teaches you how to effectively communicate your ideas and write better code
• Projects you complete at the end of the curriculum will showcase just how much you've learned in 2-3 months

Cons:

• The online curriculum starts out strong, but falters by the middle and end. Project instructions are at times frustratingly vague, and not written for the layman. There is very little linking between pages, and no search functionality. This is problematic when you need to revisit previously covered material for use in a current project
• There are a ton of unnecessary chores that provide no value to the students (daily quizzes you aren't graded on, and aren't reviewed in class - daily feedback you must provide for your peers, but is never passed along to the you to act upon)
• Assessments add a ton of stress and reward memorization more than programming concepts and techniques 
• Facilities - San Francisco - The importance of ergonomics is stressed before you join, yet students work on stations with no monitor risers and no ability to make adjustments other than chair height. The 2014 Mac Minis sometimes struggle to even load Chrome or the code editor (be ready for the pinwheel of death). More bathrooms are needed (only two for over 150 people on the floor). There aren't enough utensils or microwaves.

Overall, App Academy proved to be the challenge that I signed up for. There's no way that I would've had the drive to learn as much as I did in the past three months if I had set out on my own. I'm also confident that the program positioned me well to find a job as a developer within the next few months.

That being said, App Academy still suffers from the same pitfalls that most for-profit post-secondary institutions do. At moments you'll feel cared for by individuals who are out to truly guide you in your education, and other times, you'll feel like you made a wrong turn.

If you're a self-starter, the whole curriculum is online - which is 100% what you'll be working off during you're time on-site pair-programming. If you have the drive, I'd recommend saving yourself the money and working online.

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Before deciding to attend a bootcamp, I did the same thing you are doing. I read review after review, trying to gauge the value a program like this one might offer me. My previous experience with coding was a grand total of one Intro to C++ class at a local community college, and a few of UC Berkeley's online Software Development Certificate classes (none of which I personally recommend, but that's a story for another day). Once I had decided that the bootcamp path was one I would take, I began the arduous task of selecting the RIGHT bootcamp. Ultimately, I decided that an in-person program was the right fit for my learning style. Living in the SF Bay Area, there seemed to be two choices. I asked friends and family, that work in the tech industry, to take a look at the syllabi, read all the reviews, and had a few sleepless nights. I ultimately chose App Academy as the school I wanted to attend, participated in their online bootcamp prep program, and a few months later I was rewarded with acceptance into their program. Then the really difficult part began . . .

This program is intense, it's designed that way and they make no apologies about it. You are forced to constantly learn new material, never truly feeling comfortable before the next topic is laid before you. A week into the course, I was sure that I would not make it. I came home everyday to my wife and told her that I had no idea what was going on, that I was barely hanging on, that many other people surely had a better grasp of the material and I was doomed. I spent hours each day after class and every weekend up at the school, working on homework or studying for assessments. App Academy is quick to point out that almost everyone has these feelings, and it's Imposter Syndrome in full effect. They chose you for a reason, they say. You are supposed to be here. For myself, these feelings of inadequacy continued through the course. Though you do get comfortable with a general feeling of unease and helplessness. I will also say, that despite these feelings, I did feel supported throughout the program. I could ask questions whenever I wanted, help was available from TAs and my fellow students. The bonds formed in this stressful situation, and the assistance that you are able to both receive and give to those around you helps keep you grounded and headed towards the finish line. I've heard a lot of talk about the structure of Assessments, and the policy of being asked to leave if you fail 2 of them. Is the system perfect? No, it is not. Is fear an amazing motivator? Yes, it certainly is. Is watching good, hardworking, smart people walk out the doors early a painful experience? Without a doubt. Is there a better way to do it? I truly don't know. But that is the process that App Academy has chosen, so just know what you are getting into. If you are not able to calm yourself down in extremely stressful testing situations, these tests are going to be hard. But, if you do the work, if you go over the practice tests and make attempts to understand the material to the best of your ability, if you are honest with yourself about the information you do not understand and ask questions, you will be fine. If I made it through, you can too.

As I write this, I am at the end of the program, with just a few days left. The Job Search part of the program is much different than the instructional portion. There is much less structure, the occasional lecture on soft skills, networking, reumés, interviewing questions, and further work on some algorithms and data structures. Some people enjoy this portion, some hate it. Some feel abandoned, some use it to finally focus on what they really find interesting. I don't really have any issues with it. I'm happy to be provided with the school's perspective on how to get a job in a very competitive industry, but the quick switch from an extremely structured environment to one where you drive the process can have one feeling lonely. In the end though, you are the only one responsible for your career and you have to start providing yourself with motivation and guidance at some point in time.

Overall, I can honestly say that I would make the decision to come back to App Academy again. I have learned invaluable skills, and I have a path to a job doing something that I love. There is still a lot of work left to do. I will have to go back and dive deeper into nearly all of the concepts covered in the course. I don't believe that most people come out able to get a job the next day, but I would never have made the progress that I did without the rigor and stress that came along with the program. The bootcamp experience is definitely not for everyone. But if you do chose to take this path, I believe that you will find it very rewarding. As others have stated, and in the interest of full disclosure, I am being offered a sweatshirt as motivation for writing a review. I believe everything that I have written, and it is my honest assessment of the program and my experience in it.

Best of luck in your search, and in making a life altering decision. Happy coding. . . .

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This program is difficult. You have to set yourself up to succeed. You should have good work ethic, you basically have to clear your calendar for 3 months dedicated to it (including holidays).The tests are a mixed bag. They can be very hard and feel somewhat contrieved. But in all honesty if you study for them you can not help but learn the material.

I was doubtful at first about pair programming. It seemed to me just a way to offload the workload of teaching a student by having other students teach each other. I wondered how much can I learn off someone who doesn't know any more than me? Or how useful can I be to someone else when I have no idea what is going on? But what actually happens is both of you work through a problem together. There are times when know/understand something better and are forced to explain that. That process of having to explain  your though process is invaluable. It cements your undersand and proves that you know what you are talking about. 

All in all it was a good experience. For best results take it seriously and study before hand. Its insanely fast paced. I doubt how sucessful you can be if you come in to it blind.

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