Code Fellows

Before I decided to take courses at Code Fellows, I read so many reviews about each bootcamp. Finally I chose Code Fellows and I started my first course in August 2019. I just recently graduated with a certificate in ASP.NET Core C# in December 2019. The whole curriculum was very intense yet it was very rewarding. Here is why I love Code Fellows:

• I love the curriculum! The curriculum includes in-class lectures, labs, code challenges, reading assignments, pair-programming sessions, guest speeches, networking events, and career development sessions.
• Code Fellows follows industry standards throughout the curriculum and teaches students to do everything with a proper way that aligns with the industry standards. For example, students have lots of opportunities to pair with each other and do group projects together. With that, students at Code Fellows develop better communication skills and teamwork skills to work with others and can better read and understand other people's codes.
• They have awesome instructors and staffs! I absolutely love the culture at Code Fellows. It is a very welcoming community. Everyone is so friendly and the instructors really care about the students. At Code Fellows, you can ask anybody for help if you have any questions or need anything. All the TAs, instructors, and even campus directors and principals make themselves available for the students if you want to talk or ask for any advice regarding the curriculum, interview preparation, or career development.
• Code Fellows teaches students how to "learn". Learning is a never-ending thing, especially if you work in the tech industry. Code Fellows not only teaches students how to write codes but also trains us how to think and learn on our own. When I started my first course, I did not know how to read documentations and I did not know how to find a solution on my own. However, throughout the courses, as I learned more and more about coding, I started to develop my problem-solving skills. Therefore, in my last course at Code Fellows, my teammates and I were able to build a mobile app within one week. The point is we did not learn how to build a mobile app in the class, we learned it all by ourselves!
• Comparing to a CS degree, a bootcamp is relatively shorter and cheaper. However, at Code Fellows, the curriculum teaches you all you need to know as a software developer. Students graduated from here know how to read/write codes, build full web apps (front-end and back-end), debugging, write unit tests to apps, and understand data structures and algorithms. Additionally, since this is an intense program, in order to successfully pass the courses, students develop excellent time management skills, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and become more self-disciplined and self-driven.
• Last but not least! Throughout the curriculum, every week there is a guest speaker on the campus to talk about numerous topics related to the tech industry. This helps student be familiar with the tech industry and learn something new from the professionals. In the last course of the curriculum, there are career development sessions that help students prepare for job searching after graduated. We review each others' resumes and do mock interviews to practice our public speaking skills. I found this very useful as I received so many feedback from my classmates and the campus director.

Finally, for the time I was at Code Fellows, I developed a strong bond with my cohort-mates. We studied together, struggled together, and then we found the solution together. We supported each other and we kept each other accountable. I really love the culture at Code Fellows that everyone was friendly and willing to help others.

If you are considering joining a bootcamp, be prepared that it is not going to be easy. The curriculum was intense and not easy as all. However, at the end everything was worth it. Just keep doing it and never give up, you will eventually get there. Be positive and enjoy the process, it may be hard and you may struggle along the way, but trust yourself, you know more than you think you do! Read less

I entered Code Fellows with no knowledge or expectations. I was desperately overdue for a career change in order to provide for myself and my family. My last experience with coding education was left far behind - a year of college Computer Science back in 2001. After a long period of self discovery, I finally knew that this was the career that I not only wanted to do, but had to do. It was all or nothing now. College was no longer an option, given tuition being the grotesque beast it is now compared to then. Thankfully, I was in the midst of a dawn where coding boot camps were finally getting the respect and recognition they deserve, even by the biggest names in tech. And I was fortunate enough to have a friend who recommended Code Fellows highly.

I couldn't be more grateful for the experience I had there. We began by learning the fundamentals of web development, using the latest tools in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. As we progressed, we learned more about server side development and API integration. It was such a sense of accomplishment the first time learned how to pull down data to tell the weather, or render a google map with search results; all on our own websites built from scratch. In the final, advanced course, I chose to learn ASP.NET Core, which added even greater depth and power to how we developed our web apps. Our instructors and TAs throughout this curriculum were excellent in helping us all understand the material, and we eager to answer any questions we had. I can honestly say I am amazed at the amount of material I learned in my relatively short time there, and to know that it's just the tip of the iceburg.

I should also mention that during this entire time we were also learning skills to help up break into the industry. Whiteboard questions were almost a daily exercise, with a final one-on-one whiteboard with an instructor being necessary to graduate, and rightfully so. They also brought in guest speakers every week from different fields to share their personal experiences on their work life, where they started, and how they got there. We were taught how best to market ourselves to employers, to network and make connections, to know our worth as developers. I'll never forget how they explained the average time for a graduate to land their first job is 9 months. If you already have a degree of any kind or pervious experince then that time is significantly shorter, as many of my own classmates have proven already. But true to their word, after a great deal of effort, I got my first offer just before Christmas, almost exactly 9 months after graduating.

I would highly recommend Code Fellows to anyone looking to start a career in programming. I still stay in touch with the community on Slack just to hear the chatter, events, and all the improvements they've made after my time. Not only do you get a degree's worth of technical education, but also the knowledge to prepare you for the job hunt, and give you that edge needed to get that first big offer.

Read less

Attending Code Fellows was a game-changer for my career. There are lots of technical training resources out there, but the staff at Code Fellows understands where the rubber meets the road.

By that, I mean both:
1) How to meet students, new or seasoned, where they're at in their learning and technical ability; and
2) Understanding the quickly changing opportunities and needs of the technical industry. 

My experience at Code Fellows set me up to be 'job-ready' and able to jump into a major tech company with some skills that were both needed, and that my more experienced colleagues had not yet learned, allowing start offering value straight-away as I gradually got up to speed with the specifics of my new job.

There is a requirement to do some independent (online) learning in order to be admitted to a non-intro Code Fellows course... so there is some natural filtering before classes begin. The actual course-time always seemed well-spent... offering a very high level of challenge, fast pace, and individualized support. Much of the work is collaborative -- another aspect that was very well-suited in preparing me for the jobs I transitioned to. 

I can't sing my praises loud enough -- Code Fellows was a FANTASTIC experience that changed my life, transitioned me into a new career (after completing graduate school and working for 8.5 years in a completely different industry), and lead me into a new network of friends and colleagues.

Read less

My 201 experience was amazing at Code Fellows. Scott did an amazing job of taking a group of students with a broad range of technical abilities and forming them into a cohesive unit. He was able to very sucessfully assess all of the different students and individually help them. 

Read less

I went through the 201, 301, and 401 Code Fellows courses from Sept 2018 to Feb 2019. 

My 201 and 301 courses were very well structured, and were taught by two of the best (imo) instructors with industry experience that were there at the time.  The classes and work were long, typical of a coding boot camp style. the student to instructor size was very good (20-30), with each class having an assistant instructor and at least two Teacher Assistants (TAs).

My main critiques are the job assistance and the Python 401 class.  The Python 401 curriculum seemed less focused with topics from working with data sets in Jupyter Notebooks, DevOps type work with AWS, and Web Development with three different frameworks (Flask and Django, and a day in React) juggling both front and back end topics.  Sure we got exposed to a lot of different types of potential software jobs and technologies, but by the end of it I felt ready for none.  To top it off, our main instructor left with 2 weeks left in the course, which left a pretty bad taste in my mouth.  Between the 9 people in our class, I think only 1 person ended up landing a software developer job, but in Javascript.

The job assistant part after graduating was also poor in my opinion.  The Director of Customer Relations had left with no replacement at some point while I was there, and all of the mock interviews, mentors, networking events from partnering companies ceased to exist when I left.

Overall its a great curriculum and the first 2/3 of my experience there was great.  I'd do it again if I had the chance, but would follow the instructors that I had in my 201 and 301.

Read less

Code Fellows changed my life following a period of long term unemployment.

The staff and instructional team are outstanding. Course material is challenging regardless of skill level. It begins with an introduction to basic web technologies -- HTML, CSS, and Javascript. This is followed with an intermediate course that delves into practical skill sets including REST APIs, web frameworks, and design patterns.The experience culminates in a Full Stack Development course. A Student may choose Javascript, Python, Java, and C#. The exposure to modern tools and concepts is extraordinary. Algorithms and Data Structures are emphasized heavily in order to prepare for technical interviews. Students are also exposed to Cloud Infrastructure, Test Driven Development, and even Data Science -- dependent on which course they choose.  There is a balance between lecture and hands-on labs. Students have the opportunity
to truly explore and develop their own projects.

Pair programming and team projects are essential to the curiculum -- this is an opportunity to connect with so many extraordinary people. The Student body at Code Fellows comes from all walks of life. Diversity is greatly valued by this school. This school accepts the GI Bill creating a large representation of military veterans. There are a great many inspiring stories learned by coding together.

The true value in this school is what happens after the course is finished. The struggle for employment is very real. The Career Services staff is highly motivated to help all graduates find permenant positions. Instructors made time for me to assist with interview preparation and additional lecture at no cost. Graduates are allowed to work on campus free of charge -- it is an amazing environment to work in.
I recieved so much positive encouragement from everyone. I landed a position at Microsoft because of my experiences at Code Fellows.

Read less

The junior/entry level job market for developers is EXTREMELY oversaturated. There are 17 coding boot camps in Seattle, each churning out Web Developers by the dozens every month to compete for the few and scarce entry level/junior positions. Sure, anyone can learn to code, but will you be good enough to compete in a highly competitive market? It's far from impossible to find a job afterwards, just be prepared to lower your expectations and raise your technical skills higher as the technical bar has been raised for junior devs. It took me a year to find a job and I had to practice and teach myself to become a mid-level developer. 

For Codefellows specifically, they will teach you the basics of programming. Instructors are hit or miss, some good, some just mediocre. The curriculum was decent, it builds on top of things you learned previously but a lot of the lectures I didn't find very useful. 

If I could go back in time I wouldn't have gone through Code Fellows, and would of went the self taught route. There are tons of quality courses online that you can take and learn everything you need. Save your $$$, and teach yourself. 

Read less

The material we covered was modern and relevant, providing a realistic introduction to Javascript development in 2018. It gave me the confidence and hands on exposure to begin seriously understanding coding for the first time in my life. Additionally, the great classmates I met were an unexpected bonus. Many were very serious students coming from a variety of backgrounds and we learned a tremendous amount from each other. I have no doubts we'll be valuable industry contacts for each other in the future. The biggest disappointment I faced was our instructor was a recent bootcamp grad and although the instructor was a nice person and did indeed know much more than us students, there was a very obvious lack of real-world experience and gaps in knowledge that limited the range of context that was provided alongside the material. I still got my money's worth, but I also know students in other cohorts may have received a slightly more nuanced instruction than I did.

Read less

I attended code fellows (201, 301, 401 course) and had a positive, memorable experience. My success was in part because I spent a fair amount of time researching the program and if it would be a good fitfor me.

It is rigorous and intended to challenge students so they are job ready. The school does a solid job of teaching the core principles needed for an entry level role. I can tell you that if software development is a career you are serious about, it requires ongoing learning and dedication in this field of study. Code Fellows can provide you the introductory tools, but its ultimately up to you to ensure that this is continued before, during, and after completion of the coursework.

I’ve seen some of the negative post here stating that individuals were not ready when leaving the program or able to find employment. This is an investment and if you only take a 201 or 301 level course, be realistic of how much you can learn and practice in such a short amount of time. I still think these courses are a great option because not everyone requires the same level of training. I needed more of the advanced topics covered in the 401 level course.

I graduated from the program and wasn’t even the strongest developer in my class, but I showed persistence and motivation. If you are transitioning careers, having these qualities will help you find success. Be aware of how important networking is in finding your entry level role and don’t apply at companies that are looking for experienced Developers. 

Last, but important the faculty are beautiful people. They help create a safe space that fosters a collaborative learning environment. These folks work very hard in helping lead people to happy, rewarding careers. If you are considering code fellows as an option, I encourage you to check out a monthly 101 workshop, ask to attend an open house, or even meet with an alumni to see if a career in software is right for you. Hope this helps some of you peeps out there that are contemplating this decision. It’s within your reach...good luck!

** I took a very entry level role as an associate developer and was promoted to Software Engineer in 90 days :)

Read less

I really enjoyed the modular pace of Code Fellows and I enjoyed the repetition that was built in so that I could allow coding and whiteboards to be more a part of my muscle memory. 
I ended up taking 101 and really enjoying the curriculum. Then I moved on to 201 and 301 back to back and after a 6 month break where I studied and dealt with life I came back for 401. I was on the night track so this made the program a little longer, but also gave me a chance to have income during the camp and have extra time to study and absorb things without committing to the crushing pace of day time. I think I would have been frantic if I was full time. One big plus for me was that I applied for and won a scholarship. Don't be hesitant to apply for that type of aid, especially if you are a person of color. Also I was able to get additional scholarships via my full time job and use the skills I learned in bootcamp at my job, so it was worthwhile to me. I noticed that towards the end a few of the projects were following tutorials from the platforms, which was fine and gave me the confidence needed to know that I could follow other types of frameworks in the future and be able to have a great output. I didn't learn Angular in bootcamp, but I feel I could pick it up afterward. That being said the practice with whiteboards and the team projects were the greatest benefit to me and I am extremely happy I got a chance to learn with my team. So much so that I filled out this review! Read less

As a student of Code Fellows with a lot of experience in programming and not a lot of money I was very focused on getting my monies worth. I came in with a LOT of experience brought in through undirected self-taught programming and I found Value here. However, I also came in young, with only a couple of job interviews under my belt and zero clue about what it would be like to get into the professional world of anything but fast food. That one was easy. Going in with an underwhelming amount of experience in the professional I am coming out of code fellows Job ready and with relevant Experience to get me anywhere that I need to go in the industry. I am capable of making decisions and planning ahead in great and big ways. The value found in only 13 weeks of courses at Code Fellows is undeniably amazing.  Read less

I had an amazing experience completing Code Fellows Software Development BootCamp! Excellent curriculum, really enjoyed the instructors/TA's, and the coursework was very helpful for getting a better understanding of the fundamentals. Like all boot camps, the pacing is fast and the course load is heavy. I would highly recommend Code Fellows to anyone who asked.  Read less

The course was hard but expected since I did not have much experience with the stuff we learned in this course. Instructors were great and went above and beyond to help the students. Dr. Robin proved herself very helpful and there whenever you needed her. This is a school I would recommend to anyone trying to get started in their tech skills. They take good care of their students and they really take feedback seriously.  Read less

Wow... I never thought I would be here writing this honestly. I started code fellows not having any idea how to code or even any prior technical experience/skills. I was just your local Dog Groomer who hated living a complacent life. This course was by far the most rewarding and mentally stimulating thing I have ever done with me life. The realization that I just set myself up for the rest of my life and invested not in "some company" but in MYSELF. I never knew I could do this until I did. I am so excited for the rest of my life and I have Code Fellows to thank. Read less

Code Fellows not only taught me the technical skills to land my first job in cyber security, they also provided crucial skills to perfect my resume and ace technical/behavioral interviews. I can’t say enough good things about Code Fellows. My fiancé went though Code Fellows and landed an amazing job in tech prior to my enrollment.  Read less

This is a bootcamp that goes at nearly break-neck speeds. We did things in a stacked learning sort of style there will be times in which you feel super lost, however a few days later you will notice knowledge surfacing that you didnt think was there.  My best advice is go in with an open mind, trust the process, and do your best! The staff cares about you and your success!    Read less

I graduated in February 2023 in full-stack JavaScript development. I started with virtually no coding experience with 101, and every course in between up to 401. I started with nights and weekends while I worked my day job for 102, 201, and 301, and took the deep dive into full time for 401. It was fast-paced and a steep learning curve, but a lot of genuine instructor concern and support. High expectations, but high support and encouragement. Because of the rigorous nature of learning full-stack development in 5 months, there is a lot of grace offered with resubmissions, help from TA's during lab time, etc.

In my last two weeks of my final course, a few companies partnered with Code Fellows showed interest in my background and skills and I landed a few interviews before I even graduated!

Only con, that is also a pro, is that the learning curve is steep and there are some agile sprints that will test your learning limits. You learn a lot but it's tough!

Overall, I love the culture here, the instructors, TA's, and admins are there with you through the whole process and you learn marketable tech skills that can transfer right into your first role in the tech industry! Read less

I left my career in the healthcare field to pursue a job that would provide me with tons of options and room for growth. I spent 5 years in college to get my degree, and so I was very skeptical of a program that would only provide less than 6 months of instruction. Also, the term 'bootcamp' was intimidating.. But that was exactly what it was, an intensive program focused on getting you prepared for your new career, no matter what your background may be. As a dental hygienist, I had absolutely zero experience in the tech world, and it wasn't the easiest transition. This program was hard, and most the time overwhelming.. but nobody should expect otherwise from a quality program. However, the Code Fellows instructional team was always there to help. You could just tell they really wanted us to succeed! I'm still amazed at the level of patience, kindness, inclusiveness, and knowledge that my instructional team provided. Looking back, I cannot believe the amount of information we got through in such a short time, and I really cannot believe the skills I now have! I just graduated from my program less than a week ago, and I am excited to start interviewing and beginning my career. I know my level of confidence in myself is completely thanks to the quality of the Code Fellows program and instructional team. I can't thank them enough, and I'll miss being their student! Read less

I recently graduated from Code Fellows with my certificate in Advanced Java with SpringMVC and Android (October 2022). I spent the prior eight years as a music teacher / band director. I heard about the bootcamp from a friend who had completed it the year before, and she had amazing things to say. I started on the self-paced introduction course (102), moved to a night class for the foundations course (201), then decided to jump all the way in and take the last two courses (301 and 401) on the full time days track. 

Before starting Code Fellows I had ZERO coding experience, though I have always been pretty handy with technology and math. You will learn SO MUCH in a short amount of time with this program. If you can't give up your full time job to take day classes, opt for the night course! All of my instructors were amazing, kind, supportive, and incredibly knowledgeable, and you will gain a huge advantage over a lot of other programs through the career coaching assignments/workshops, and the Career Accelerator Program.

Speakers are brought in every week on Friday and Saturday to speak to students about different aspects of working in the tech industry, Teaching Assistants  are available to help with your lab assignments and code challenges when you get stuck, and you get some GREAT practice at whiteboarding interviews. 

I was offered my first Tech job within TWO WEEKS of graduating! I cannot recommend this program highly enough! Read less