App Academy

입학률이 5% 미만이고 99%가 미국인입니다. 네이티브 미국인들에게도 입학이 어려운 곳입니다만 입학만 하면 최고의 사람들과 최고의 환경에서 공부할 수 있습니다. 입학이 어려운데에는 그만한 이유가 있다는 것을 말씀드리고 싶고, 현지인들에게 물어도 부트캠프 중에서는 이 곳을 최고로 뽑습니다. 
미국의 명문대 출신 엘리트들에게 둘러쌓여 매일 매일 자극받으며 공부할 수 있는 좋은 기회였고, 놀라울 정도로 다양한 분야의, 놀라울 정도로 멋진 사람들을 만날 수 있습니다. 
코스 시작 직전에 한국에서 미국으로 온 처지라 언어 장벽이 커서 더 힘들었던 것 같습니다만 열심히 한다면 이해하고 따라갈 수 있습니다. 다만 하루 15시간 정도 공부해야한다는 각오가 없다면 추천드리고싶지 않습니다. 일주일에 100시간정도 공부해야만하다고 생각하시면 좋습니다. 
한국에서는 잘 다루지 않는 Ruby 및 Ruby on rails 에 대해 심도있게 배울 수 있으며, 코스 졸업 시점에는 javascript, css/scss, html5를 포함한 full stack web application 개발에 필요한 스킬을 갖게 됩니다. 
커리큘럼도 훌륭하지만 졸업 후 job support가 정말 좋습니다. 수업료가 졸업생들의 연봉으로 결정되는 형태인지라, 너의 성공이 나의 성공이라는 인식이 강해서 아주 열심히 도와줍니다.

If you want to become a software developer, and you are ready to dedicate 90+ hours a week learning and coding, then App Academy is the right program for you. If you want to learn coding in a structured and supportive environment, then App Academy is the right program for you. You will learn a lot - Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, React, just to name a few - but it won't be easy and in no means a free ride to becoming a software engineer. You will get as much out of this program as how much you invest in it. Often times, the curriculum does not teach you everything you need to know, and it is your responsibility to do research and ask questions. That last part is important. Ask questions. Understand everything deeply every step of the way. The curriculum is fast paced, culminating in personal projects and a job search curriculum consisting of algorithm lectures and job search mentoring. The program is not perfect, and I expected more. Specifically, I would have preferred to not have all lectures be conducted by TA's most of whom are past App Academy grads (they are very skilled and supportive, don't get me wrong).

TL;DR App Academy is a rigorous coding program. Expect to do nothing but code, eat, sleep, and repeat, for 13 weeks, and look for jobs afterwards.

App Academy is an intense program. It's not for someone who just wants to try out coding for a while, and it would be an even greater struggle for people who don't truly enjoy programming (so try to figure that out first). However, if you're committed to learning what they have to teach and making it into your new career, it will get you further than you would think possible in a 3 month span: you'll know how to code in several languages (all of which are relevant for the current job market), and you will have created several web applications of your own by the time you graduate. The slight downside is that they can't teach you everything in 3 months. But that's why a passion for both coding and learning is important, so that you can motivate yourself to fill in any gaps or pursue and particular interests on your own. After the foundation that you build at a/A, you'll be able to teach yourself independently whatever you might want to know about web development.

There is a reason that App Academy is considered one of the premier coding programs in the country. If you get in, and make it through this rigorous, pressure-inducing curriculum (students who don't keep up are asked to leave), you're probably pretty good at the codes. But to make it through, it takes an incredible amount of tenacity and hard work, followed by an incredible amount of tenacity and hard work (for those of you in the biz- this is indeed recursive).

For 3 months, all you will be doing is coding. Tell your friends+family you will be unavailable for 3 months. I am very nearly not kidding. 90+ hour weeks are commonplace. You will immerse yourself in the curriculum, being helped along the way by a kind staff and supportive TAs.

One of App Academy's differentiators is it does not collect tuition from students until after they get a job as a software developer, and the amount it collects varies depending on the actual salary. So, they are heavily-incentivized to teach you cutting-edge technologies and do everything they can to help you become a skilled software developer, so that you can get offers at the top of the market at the program's conclusion.

App Academy is not for people who are not 100% dedicated to succeeding. You have to put forth more effort than perhaps anything you've ever done in your life, but it is very worth it you want to be a software developer.

I had known it would be a tough program but it ended up being tougher than I thought. If you choose to attend, do your best to live as close to a/A as possible. Losing 10-15 hours of sleep/study time a week is a considerable disadvantage.

With that being said, a/A is potentially life-changing. Yes, it can be stressful and a lot of work. Yes, the curriculum does a good job but isn't flawless. At the end of the day, you can go from making $0 to six figures in less than a year. With all the stress and long hours people are subjected to, it can be easy to lose perspective of the fact that this opportunity is pretty much unheard of. Bootcamps in general may not have the best reputation but it is known that a/A and Hack Reactor have very impressive placement rates and graduate salaries.

Attending App Academy's Immersive Course was a good experience that allowed me to learn the software developer skills needed for my growth in this field. Their curriculum provides a good base, but do expect to spend 60-80 hours per week during the three-month course including some time for self study. In addition to the education received, I made many good friends and network contacts. I recommend App Academy's immersive course for anyone looking to take their career to the next level, but be mindful of the amount of work needed to realize personal success in this program.

At first I was wary of the premise of coding bootcamps - learn the fundamentals of programming in 12 weeks and get a job?! It seemed too good to be true. But after reading more reviews and talking to a close friend who went through the program, it seemed like it was legit. Once I was admitted to the program and showed up on the first day, I was reassured to find out that the education - and the support - was solid. The instructors actually care about you learning to the best of your ability and finding a job. In fact, if you don’t find a job, the company loses money due to their delayed payment model, so it’s in the best interest for both you and the company to find a position. As a result, nothing about the program felt gimmicky or padded - everything I learned here helped me to develop my skills as a software developer.

Guys, this is the real deal. But let me give a caveat: to succeed, you have to give 100% of your effort. Don’t think that this program will magically help you get a job in a few weeks. It’s not that simple. The program will help you achieve great things, but only if you put in the work and the effort. Everyone in my class had to work their asses off and many people would stay in the office until 10 PM to get their work done or prepare for the next day. But in the end, all the time spent working and hustling will be worth it.

Since I’ve graduated over a year ago, nearly everyone in my class of about 50 students found jobs and are now working for a variety of different tech companies and startups. I, myself, found a job and am currently working for a startup as a software developer, and I had only started learning how to code a couple months before the program started. 

It IS possible to switch careers and find work as a software developer, and I couldn't have gotten even close to doing so without the help of App Academy. Just have patience, tenacity, and a good work ethic, and you’ll be able to pull off amazing things.

The program definitely requires a huge commitment, in terms of time and effort. You are required to be in class every weekday and you need to be in San Francisco to attend the bootcamp. So, if you are not committed, it probably isn't the best fit.

The class itself moves super fast, so you have to constantly learn and absorb new materials. You likely will not have much time for fun during the 12 weeks bootcamp. However, the result is rewarding. You learn a lot about programming and the fundamentals. I found it easier to learn other languages and frameworks after going through the curriculum. 

Their financial model also benefits the students, so you don't have to pay until you get an offer. It helps to keep the bootcamp accountable. 

Like you, I was initially skeptical of coding bootcamps too, but I decided to take a leap with App Academy (especially since they offered a deferred tuition plan).

Prior to App Academy, I had zero coding experience. I spent about a month and a half studying to get in, then another month and a half to complete their prep work before day one. After admission, I had class from 9am - 6pm, followed by 1-3 hours of readings/homework for the rest of the evening. As other reviewers mentioned, it's quite the mentally and emotionally draining experience.

But stick with it. Their curriculum they offer is frequently updated. Their staff is accessible and passionate about what they teach. Their job support is awesome: daily whiteboarding and/or mock interviews, help with online presence (LinkedIn, AngelList, your portfolio, your GitHub, etc.), and personal career coaches help guide you through the process. 

To be honest, I also did feel like some of their initiatives in promoting diversity and welcomeness felt a bit forced -- but hey, it's the tech industry. Bottom line: the staff means well, they value team players, and they're committed to giving everyone the same opportunity to succeed.

Eight months ago, I knew absolutely zero about coding or web development. In a few weeks, I'll be starting my job as a software developer. If you're ready to take the leap, it works.

App Academy demands your full attention and it definitely requires it to make it through.  As a history of being a terrible student, being pushed through these paces was definitely challenging.  Hopeful bootcampers should always keep in mind that all bootcamps are not prepared with the same teaching knowledge and focus as can be found in most accredited schools.  And thus there are many points where you may find it uncomfortable, difficult and divergent from what you may be used to.  Bootcamps are first and foremost businesses.  That being said, App Academy is highly regarded, rigorous and demands 10-12 hours a day.  It takes some level of emotional support or mental fortitude to go the mile in tact.

The amount of material App Academy requires students to learn within 3 months is tremendous. If students don't keep up every day and manage time well, it is difficult to keep up. To put it into perspective, I took two quarters of C in college and the material I learned was roughly equivalent to the 1 month prepwork that is required after you get in before you actually start the course.

Pros: 
- The material is well thought out and the curriculum is solid. 
- You are surrounded daily by peers just as driven as you. 
- Great staff and instructors. (Just as in any educational setting you'll find some spectacular instructors vs good instructors) 
- Able to learn materials needed to get a job within a succinct amount of time

Cons: 
-The curriculum pacing in the beginning is a bit slow and suddenly week it speeds up quickly after week 4 making it difficult to catch up at times 
- You are required every day from 9 - 6pm and with the homework is usually a 12 hour work day. This could be considered a pro if you don't have other commitments such as family, or spend two hours commuting daily as I did. 
- No longer a 12 week bootcamp but a mandatory 13 week course

Overall, App Academy is a solid program, and the instructors are committed in seeing you succeed. They have a solid business model which makes them even more motivated to help the students. Would definitely recommend App Academy to anyone who has the passion and resources.