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General Assembly is a technical education provider that teaches students the skills, career advice and networking opportunities needed to make a career change into a tech role, in as little as three months. General Assembly offers part-time and full-time bootcamps and short courses in web and mobile development, product management, data science, and more. The bootcamp experience is led by instructors who are expert practitioners in their field. Students should expect to build a solid portfolio of real-life projects. Since 2011, General Assembly has graduated more than 40,000 students worldwide from the full time and part time bootcamp.
To enroll at General Assembly, applicants should submit an online application to connect with a GA Admissions team member who will work with them to decide if a tech bootcamps is the right fit. The GA Admissions staff are also prepared to speak with applicants about the best tech role for them, learning styles at GA, expected outcomes after the bootcamp, options to finance the bootcamp, career services offered by GA, and more.
To help students land their first job in a tech role, General Assembly students are supported by career coaches from day one. The program is enhanced by a career services team that is constantly in talks with employers about their tech hiring needs.
This was a blog post I wrote in 2015 about my experience at GA that I still this is relevant.
This was a really good experience for me. My situation is not going to be like everyone else’s, so let me give you the low down on why, for me, it was a good fit.
If you don’t feel like reading this epistle, skip to the bottom and read the section on “What to expect if you are thinking…”
I’ve been learning HTML and CSS off and on over the past six years. I bought books and...
This was a blog post I wrote in 2015 about my experience at GA that I still this is relevant.
This was a really good experience for me. My situation is not going to be like everyone else’s, so let me give you the low down on why, for me, it was a good fit.
If you don’t feel like reading this epistle, skip to the bottom and read the section on “What to expect if you are thinking…”
I’ve been learning HTML and CSS off and on over the past six years. I bought books and read them. Did online tutorials. Had friends and co-workers walk me through the basics of HTML and CSS. I cannot tell you how many times I have created the “Hello World!” page. I have learned a bit over the years, but not enough to be considered dangerous by any stretch of the imagination.
I’m currently working at FamilySearch as a UX/UI designer. Been there for a little over two and a half years, and during that time our webDev team put together a skills building program. A set of requirements that demonstrates understanding, application, and proficiency of core HTML, CSS and JS principles. Developed for our webDevs, our UX El Jefe challenged the designers to get certified in a different discipline in order to have a more well-rounded understanding of how our designs are implemented in the code.
I cannot emphasize this enough: to learn how to code has been one of the best career decisions I have ever made.
“The more we know how the web works, the better we can design for it. A painter knows paint. A sculptor knows clay or marble. Musicians understand acoustics, feedback, mics, guitars, pianos, etc. There’s a technical aspect to every medium. The better a designer understands the technical aspects of their craft, the better their designs.”
–Tom DeForest, UX Heros: John Dilworth
Enter General Assembly
I did my homework and developed my own objectives as aligned with FamilySearch’s goals towards certification. Then I contacted General Assembly (GA) and told them I was interested in their program. Based on my prior learnings…if you could even call them that, I felt like I had enough background in HTML/CSS to make the course do-able and help me get certified. I received the course outline for GA’s FEWD program and ran it past my webDev managers. They thought it was a solid curriculum and gave it their blessing.
My FEWD class was taught by two developers; the course instructor is a professional in the web development community, and the TA is a recent graduate from the General Assembly Web Development Immersive program. My class was 10-weeks long and held on Saturdays from 10–5 at their Santa Monica LA campus. Class size was about 30–35 students.
I was really happy with the course. The highlights for me were: learning and understanding the HTML/CSS/JS syntax and document structure; responsive design and utilizing media queries; some Bootstrap and how to use the responsive framework; how to talk to my devs and use their terminology when communicating my designs. This one sounds a little funny, but it’s true: learning how to ask Google. Google will tell you anything you want it to, as long as you know how to ask correctly. If I have questions about code, syntax, structure, etc. I now know how to ask. Creating WordPress themes. This was a bonus. We built a custom theme in class based on a previous homework assignment. I was even able to turn my final project into a WordPress theme based on that class.
To graduate from the FEWD program there were essentially two requirements: attend 80% of the classes, and build a site that demonstrated what we learned. GA wanted us to build a multiple page site with linking pages, and use of HTML/CSS/JS.
Coding is a language. If you’re not going to use it, you’re going to lose it. Stay on top of it. Also, learn to jump in and figure it out.
What to expect if you are thinking about taking this class:
If you want to get the most out of this course, code. Then code some more. The best way to learn is repetition. I probably spent an additional 10–15 hours per week outside of class time coding. I did my homework. Deleted it. And did it again. The course is expensive. Get everything you can out of it.
The course is designed to increase your skill set, not to get you a job as a developer. If you are looking to change careers, this is not that kind of course. You will want the Web Development Immersive course or something similar.
You are not going to learn how to design for the web. You are going to learn how to code.
The lessons are structured as high-level primers with code-a-longs. The instructors expect you to take the initiative and learn to delve deeper on your own. Instructors are always available for questions and help.
I wish the instructors talked more about best practices and correct principles and guidelines.
The course seemed to cater to the people who were struggling with coding concepts. It slowed the overall pace of the class.
Make use of lab time and the instructors’ office hours. Their time is invaluable. Use it.
There are always events going on at the Santa Monica campus. For the most part, it was fine, but sometimes it got really annoying and distracting. GA needs a building better suited for the number of classes, lectures, and seminars at that location.
I wish we spent more time on vanilla JavaScript, but I think they could have spent the whole ten weeks just on this.
Free snacks and candy.
Great networking opportunities with classmates and instructors.
Access to GA Front Row, lectures and seminars.
Suggestions for General Assembly:
Expand the FEWD curriculum. If I was running GA, that’s what I would do. You can thank me later.
FEWD 101
Utilize the current part-time FEWD curriculum. Overview and application of HTML and CSS with an intro in JS.
FEWD 201
Full vanilla JavaScript class. Understanding the DOM and DOM manipulation. JS libraries and how they work and integrate with your site. A little bit of jQuery with an intro in Angular JS.
FEWD 301
Getting comfortable with the command line. Using git and github and understanding version control. Scaffolding and frameworks. Drill down on all or few of these (Node JS, Angular JS, Express JS, Node Package Manager (npm), Bower, Grunt, Gulp, Yeoman, Web Starter Kit.) And finally, testing. You could work with companies that have hired GA WDI alums and adjust the program as needed.
Hope this helps.
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Course Report is excited to offer an exclusive diversity discount for $1500 off tuition at General Assembly! To be eligible to receive $1,500 USD* toward your tuition for a full-time immersive course by General Assembly, you must meet the following criteria:
*$1,500 USD, £1,500 GBP, 1,500€ EUR, $1,500 AUD, $1,500 SGD, or $1,500 CAD
Course Report is excited to offer an exclusive military discount for $1595 off tuition at General Assembly! To be eligible to receive $1,595 USD* toward your tuition of a full-time immersive course by General Assembly, you must meet the following criteria:
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Course Report is excited to offer an exclusive merit discount for $1000 off tuition at General Assembly! To be eligible to receive up to $1,000 USD toward your tuition of a full-time immersive course by General Assembly, you must meet the following criteria:
*$1,000 USD, £1,000 GBP, 1,000€ EUR, $1,000 AUD, $1,000 SGD, or $1,000 CAD
Course Report readers can receive an Exclusive Scholarship to General Assembly!
How much does General Assembly cost?
General Assembly costs around $16,450. On the lower end, some General Assembly courses like Visual Design (Short Course) cost $3,500.
What courses does General Assembly teach?
General Assembly offers courses like 1. Data Science Bootcamp (Full Time), 2. Software Engineering Bootcamp (Full Time), 2. Software Engineering Bootcamp (Part Time), 3. User Experience Design Bootcamp (Full Time) and 13 more.
Where does General Assembly have campuses?
General Assembly has in-person campuses in London, New York City, Paris, Singapore, and Sydney. General Assembly also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is General Assembly worth it?
The data says yes! General Assembly reports a 84% graduation rate, and 95% of General Assembly alumni are employed. The data says yes! In 2021, General Assembly reported a 82% graduation rate, a median salary of , and N/A of General Assembly alumni are employed.
Is General Assembly legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 681 General Assembly alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed General Assembly and rate their overall experience a 4.29 out of 5.
Does General Assembly offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Yes, Course Report is excited to offer an exclusive diversity discount for $1500 off tuition at General Assembly! To be eligible to receive $1,500 USD* toward your tuition for a full-time immersive course by General Assembly, you must meet the following criteria: You’re 18 or older. You self-identify as a woman, transgender person, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, or nonbinary person. Your current income is less than $40,000 USD (£28,000 GBP, 30,000€ EUR, $40,000 AUD, $40,000 SGD, or $40,000 CAD) per year. You’ve been admitted to one of the following courses: Software Engineering Immersive, Data Analytics Immersive, Data Science Immersive or UX Design Immersive. Ineligible for NY residents. Tuition discount can not be used in conjunction with any other General Assembly tuition discount or offer. *$1,500 USD, £1,500 GBP, 1,500€ EUR, $1,500 AUD, $1,500 SGD, or $1,500 CAD Course Report is excited to offer an exclusive military discount for $1595 off tuition at General Assembly! To be eligible to receive $1,595 USD* toward your tuition of a full-time immersive course by General Assembly, you must meet the following criteria: You’re 18 or older. You’ve been admitted to one of the following courses: Software Engineering Immersive, Data Analytics Immersive, Data Science Immersive or UX Design Immersive You are an active military member or veteran, or partner of a military member or partner of a veteran. Ineligible for NY residents. Tuition discount can not be used in conjunction with any other tuition discount. *$1,595 USD, £1,500 GBP, 1,500€ EUR, $1,500 AUD or $1,500 CAD Course Report is excited to offer an exclusive merit discount for $1000 off tuition at General Assembly! To be eligible to receive up to $1,000 USD toward your tuition of a full-time immersive course by General Assembly, you must meet the following criteria: You’re 18 or older. You’ve been admitted to one of the following courses: Software Engineering Immersive, Data Analytics Immersive, UX Design Immersive or Data Science Immersive. You have completed a course on coding or data analytics or data science or ux design in the recent 12 months. These courses can be GA workshops. Your course start date is between August 1, 2023 and November 15, 2023 Ineligible for NY residents. Tuition discount can not be used in conjunction with any other tuition discount. *$1,000 USD, £1,000 GBP, 1,000€ EUR, $1,000 AUD, $1,000 SGD, or $1,000 CAD General Assembly accepts the GI Bill!
Can I read General Assembly reviews?
You can read 681 reviews of General Assembly on Course Report! General Assembly alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed General Assembly and rate their overall experience a 4.29 out of 5.
Is General Assembly accredited?
All of General Assembly's regulatory information can be found here: https://generalassemb.ly/regulatory-information
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