Metis

Metis was overall an amazing experience. From the application through graduation the staff and instructors were supportive and responsive! The course content was well designed and mostly clear. The most valuable part of the Metis experience was the peer support and 1:1 instructor/TA meetings. My peers and I still keep in contact for job searching job and networking. Additionally, the 1:1 feedback from TAs and instructors was pivotal to my learning. I also really appreciated the post-bootcamp careers support. This was importance to get advice/feedback throughout the job search process. 

I chose Metis because of the career support, network, and job portal. The curriculum is good but because every module is 2 weeks some of the modules felt rushed and some felt dragged out. The instructional and career support are great. There are 2 instructors and 2 TA's for each module. They all have multiple time slots for one-on-one office hours. If you don't understand something or need help with your project, there is always someone available to support you. The instructors are familiar with the subject matter but it depends on their teaching style. I had one instructor that I really understood and learned a lot from. There were a few instructors that was easy to talk to. I did find that towards the end of the track, the slides had less text and the instructors would lecture on a topic using only one picture for 30 minutes. For my personal learning style, I find this a bit more difficult to understand the concept. 

The Metis DS bootcamp was life-transforming, in the best sense. Perhaps no other three-month period in my life was so distinctive. It was tons of hard work, which I always felt glad to do, all day, late into the night, and most of the weekends too. (If there were more than 7 days in the week or more than 24 hours in the day, I would have spent the additional ones on the bootcamp work.) Ok, so I’m already unusually inclined and motivated to learn (I had a PhD already) and I’ve been keenly focused on learning situations for years (taught college for a decade) but I believe my perspective is relevant to anyone contemplating diving into a Data Science bootcamp. 
I carefully chose Metis because of its curriculum, standards, and reputation, as well as the fact it has a careers team (to help with the job search). I was not disappointed in the least. First of all, the best thing about bootcamp generally—which probably can’t be replicated any other way—is the variety of events, activities, and tasks that center around and circle around the subject (actually each subtopic). This was ideal for learning. For instance, often in the morning there would be a relatively small-scale one-on-one problem to work on for 45-minutes or so to build up a toy version of an algorithm from scratch (these “pair-programming” exercises nearly every day were _great_—so much so that some of us continued doing it a few times a week even after bootcamp was over); then a couple of hours later the same day (or sometimes the day before) there would be a one- or two- hour lecture on that same Machine Learning approach, and then later a workshop-ish lecture to get your hands dirty using the scaled-up industrial-strength pre-packaged (not from scratch) version of that algorithm. This meant that we learned how the engine under the hood actually worked so we would become skilled enough to tune it.
The lectures themselves were of various styles by various instructors, which again was bonus. (A uniform or cookie-cutter approach, or having only one instructor, would have been disastrous.) Although doing a bootcamp online (via zoom) might seem like a disadvantage, we turned it into an advantage. by intermittently having on-topic side chats, sometimes with apropos hyperlinks and diagrams posted, questions asked and answered (by the instructor, the TA, or other boot-campers) and the occasional witty nonsequitur for levity to keep the mood light—given the intensity of the material! There were many times when it was surprisingly thrilling. One of the reasons for this also is that people are coming into the bootcamp with such varied backgrounds, so the kinds of questions asked were all over the map; and some bootcampers came with their own expertise (in math, stats, comp-sci, probability, etc.) so they could sometimes contribute added nuances to the instructor’s already expert explanations. The mood and tone was always respectful and collegial—which can’t be taken for granted.
The project-based structure of the course was also ideal because we were grasping to master the lecture/workshop material in order to be able to implement it right away in the individual project we were working on for the given two-three week period, with that deadline looming. I got a taste of all the steps, from locating data, to wrangling/cleaning it, modeling, testing, interpreting, and building up a presentation that would be scrutinized by my instructors and peers. The day-to-day flow of the Metis bootcamp meant becoming fairly fluent with professional tools like git and fluent in installing and learning unfamiliar python packages needed to complete your own particular project.
Learning DS and ML is complex enough that it entails the potential for obstacles at nearly every step. (You better be brave. LOL !) Nevertheless, it was completely possible to always push forward because of the Metis setup: an incredibly active Slack channel (for posing and answering questions and sharing code and hyperlinks), the availability of TAs (for help via screen sharing), and an increasing sense, as the bootcamp progressed, of where and how one could seek and find (or build) solutions on one’s own.
One of the highlights of bootcamp was when the architect of Metis’s curriculum (the Metis mastermind herself) Sophie Searcy came in to guest-teach us on the topic of Singular Value Decomposition (a subtle topic of Linear Algebra that happens to be important for certain aspects of Data Science/Machine Learning). Another highlight was when Kimberly Fessel (who was _not_ one of my cohort’s instructors) came in at the end to give us (four at a time) a mock-technical interview, gently quizzing us on how to create from scratch a classification algorithm we had learned two months prior.
The variety of instructors had different emphases, different strengths, and sometimes didn’t completely agree, which is realistic, and gives a better sense of the actual kinds of divergence you’ll encounter out there in the DS world.
The instructors were great:: intense and serious about the subject matter, but also capable of being light-hearted at the right times. My main instructors were Vinny Sanguttuvan and Leon Johnson.  Leon’s lectures were clear, with a definite sense of priorities distinguishing the overarching point from the supporting detail.  Leon also provided excellent practical critique on bootcampers’ presentations, things that I still contemplate and consider vividly five months after bootcamp ended. Based on the particulars I had achieved with/through a given project, Leon was unique in suggesting next steps built on these and directions I could take that would further burnish my portfolio. Leon obviously has a firm overview of the DS landscape, is clear communicator, and encouraging mentor. Vinnie Sanguttuvan is one of the most dynamic and insightful teachers I’ve ever had (comparing to dozens of other great teachers I’ve had in college, grad school, as well as tech training courses). His teaching kept me and other bootcampers on our toes from start to finish. Nothing was ever routine or rote, but rather presented us challenges we had to carefully consider. Sometimes Vinny did this through Socratic-method, where he would pose a series of questions (or mini-problems) that would interactively lead to an insight, which therefore would stick. Other times he would relate mathematical/algorithmic/statistical principles to observations he had personally made about well-known tech industry products and services.  When Vinny was teaching, often you really had to think through mathematical or algorithmic concepts, and problem-solve on the fly. He is also very open minded about what types of problems might be tackled with algorithmic methods.  Vinny’s teaching presents a distinctive synthesis of creativity and precision that epitomizes what is most exciting about the Data Science field. 
I want to emphasize that while Metis’s excellent curriculum is one of the reason’s I’m glad I chose it, the most important learning events for me were the moments when the instructor cooked up his/her own problems or reflections for us to consider; these complemented the pre-cooked curricular material. That is to say, there was a mixture of very carefully planned out lessons and more spontaneous ones originating from the instructor’s creativity. It made for an exciting and engaging bootcamp, when you could sense that what and how you were learning was unique to that moment and context. (This was especially true with approaches to the pair-programming problems). I hope that Metis continues to allow seasoned instructors latitude in how they teach, including creating their own material from time to time.
Another instructor I want to mention is Dimitri Theoharatos, who taught python-and-math course I took a year before the bootcamp.  Dimitri moved quickly and efficiently, while also overflowing with a wealth of practical tips and laser-like precision. He peppered his teaching with astonishingly apropos industry insights of his own, giving me perspectives that sill condition my thinking a year later. I learned as much from carefully observing how Dimitri navigated the nuts-and-bolts of the python programming interface (jupyter notebook) as from what he verbally articulated. 
All the Metis instructors listened carefully to students’ questions.  They seemed to appreciate they were dealing with many intelligent and motivated bootcampers, so they calibrated their responses accordingly, never resorting to generalized rote answers (as sensitive teachers might be prone to do).
The camaraderie among bootcampers was inspiring and encouraging.  One thing that was incredibly clear after bootcamp ended:  Metis alumni help other Metis alumni, especially Metis alumni from prior cohorts. In the brutally frigid world out there of cold applications to jobs, the Metis alumni network is indispensable; it’s how I got most of my interviews, including the ones that led to me landing two simultaneous job offers.
Especially if you’re coming from an academic career, or this is your first job search, the Metis careers team (I worked mostly with Ashley) can be helpful in steering you what might be unfamiliar terrain of the corporate career landscape.
Before bootcamp: To make the most out of this experience, I recommend you prepare extensively.  Try to use Codecademy and Dataquest to learn Python and SQL before the bootcamp. Use Brilliant.org to learn basics of linear algebra, probability, stats, and calculus. (If you’re going to splurge on the bootcamp you might as well purchase memberships to these so that you begin the bootcamp with your best self. I used these further _after_ bootcamp as well.)  As many others mention in their reviews (of Metis and other bootcamps) the amount of material coming at you in the bootcamp is like a firehose to your mind, which you can absorb better to the extent you prepare in advance. If you get your feet wet with Brilliang.org, Codecademy, DataQuest, and the Metis python-and-math, you will be ready even if you don’t come from a thoroughly STEM background. During bootcamp, expect to spend all evening every weekday as well as a large chunk of weekends working on your bootcamp projects. Metis DS bootcamp is not a side activity; it’s a life-changing process. 

# Preparation

Before you apply I recommend you do as much of the following as you can:

* Take a college-level intro to matrix algebra course (and any pre-req's required to pass that course)
* Acquire introductory level python programming skills, but if you want to build web applications then learn OOP with Python and get some Flask under your belt. There are alternatives you'll learn in the class.
* If you can take a class on machine learning and deep learning before you enter the bootcamp, please do so. 
* Basic statistics and probability theory
* Basics of how to use git and github
* Basic paired programming skills

You can make it through with not all of this in place, but you may experience a lot of stress making up for any areas where you lack basic knowledge in any of the above areas. 

I wouldn't join this bootcamp if I had 0 python or 0 linear algebra knowledge even if admitted. The others maybe you can make do without them going in as you will get exposure during the bootcamp.

Metis provides a scholarship for traditionally under-represented people who are accepted into the bootcamp.

If you are admitted into the bootcamp you will be provided intro material. The more of that material you complete before the bootcamp the better your experience will be during bootcamp.

# While in Bootcamp

Our bootcamp was 100% online over Zoom. This was great, as I was in the bootcamp when shelter-in-place orders were in effect. Glad they were flexible! The bootcamp was only 3 months long. Even though it was really tough, it beat a 2 year $50,000 full-time masters program from a time/money perspective. 

Time is of the essence. This bootcamp requires at least 12 hours per day of effort (6 of it is mandatory lecture the rest is the time you'll need to execute your projects). It's not a good idea to do this bootcamp and hold a full-time job. Working on Metis material during weekends is a good idea, especially if you have a project that goes sideways and you need time to recover it.

The instructors are very patient. They're willing to repeat concepts in lecture, hold extra lectures, along with once-per week scheduled office hours. Instructors also do technical interview prep and offer quizzes at the end of bootcamp to help gear you up for job interviews, which will be technical. 

The course material is really good: It gives you the gist of a lot of very large complex libraries (like matplotlib) which are good introductions to these things which can serve as a jumping-off points when you want to do more complex stuff with them. Also weaves knowledge of effective  ways to use these libraries to do data science that may otherwise may be hard to discover.

There is career development material provided to help you to effectively network and traverse the interview process. The career development personnel will meet with you 1-2 during bootcamp for career development training.

Projects involve delivering strictly time-bound presentations. If you go 1 second over you can lose points. So prepare,prepare, prepare for your presentations.

There are plenty of extra lectures like how to setup a GCP instance for data science, and introduction to complex machine learning models like BERT and GPT-X. 

They are open to feedback and are willing to adjust the program when students experience excessive pain due to a "bug" in the program and are willing to provide honest feedback in one-on-one conversations. They're not here to grab tuition money and socially-promote you, they're serious about making you into a competent data scientist.

# After bootcamp

You will continue to receive support from career development folks. They will help you write your first resume that includes your bootcamp experience, and directions on how to update your LinkedIn profile.

Guest speakers who work in data science drop in to talk about work, offer career advice, and may be pathways to a job.

There are a lot of companies that recruit graduates out of this program, and that's how I got my first data science job. You can apply through a Metis alumni web site to opportunities from these companies or you may just get a referral.

My cohort was very cohesive, which really helps take the edge off this challenging program. Be in the mode of giving and not just getting and you will grow from the experience, IMHO. 

# Places Where the Program Could Improve

They should incorporate code review into the program as you will have to go through that in the real world and it may be a big learning curve to jump over on first exposure. Udacity MLND had code review which was helpful in improving my python programming skills. I understand this may make the program longer, and may be a trade-off.

An introduction to causality would be helpful. A lot of companies are looking for that skillset.

I hope they can regain accreditation (If this hasn't already happened). 

Metis was a great experience. The instructors are wonderful and you’ll make great connections and friends with the other students. You’ll have to work a lot over the 3 or so months of the course but you’ll learn a ton along the way. Metis’ career support is also fantastic. That with access to the alumni network can go a long way to helping you find a job. With that being said though you should plan on spending several months after the completion of Metis searching for jobs before realistically expecting to land one. It’s competitive out there and while Metis will give you a leg up it’s not a replacement for either some previous technical background or domain knowledge/experience in your industry of interest (technical or not). If you have one of those two things, are willing to put in the work during and after the program, and you can afford going 6+ months without a job, then I would definitely recommend it.

The course structure was great. I had some data science exposure in university (~40 hours total, 1 project).  The Metis bootcamp was around ~400 hours over the 10- weeks with 5 2-week sections and one project for each section.  The instructors were really great and had high expectations of students (we graduated with about 50-60% of the original program participants, although the ones that didn't pass got to retake sections).  I would recommend taking the Data Science and Engineering bootcamp instead of the Data science bootcamp (four of the five sections are the same but the one section that they don't share seemed more relevant with Data Science Engineering based on talking to other students).  Really would recommend this program, but I would caution those of you with very little python exposure or technical backgrounds.

Metis delivered on all my expectations. I decided to explore making a career transition to Data Science after working as a postdoc for 3 years after completing my PhD in Political Science at Cornell and feeling less than satisfied with my academic career prospects. After teaching myself some basic Python and brushing up on my linear algebra, probability and statistics (I had done a minor in Math in undergrad just for fun but that was over a decade ago and all my Poli Sci research was super qualitative) I decided to enroll in the Intro to Data Science course in June 2020 to get a better sense of my aptitude and whether or not I would like this kind of work. The Intro to DS course provided me with a nice overview of the field and the opportunity to complete an end to end project which gave me the confidence to apply to the full-time 12 week bootcamp starting September 2020. 
Metis was the only program I applied to as I was most impressed by the fact that they are the only accredited DS bootcamp, have very high quality instructors, a robust alumni network, and career support until you land your first job-and even after!
I found the program both incredibly rigorous and wonderfully supportive. Honestly, the coursework was as demanding as my busiest times in grad school, however, two things were really different about bootcamp. One was the number of opportunities I had for 1:1 support. I had at least one weekly meeting with an instructor (often twice a week!) plus another with a TA. This definitely exceeded my expectations and left me reassured that even if I felt in over my head at the deep end of the swimming pool, there was always someone there to help me refine my project ideas, better understand a new library or just reassure me that I was on the right track. The second was that the breakneck pace actually protected my from going into perfectionist mode. Metis really drives home the concept of the MVP (minimum viable product) which was something I had not previously been familiar with and totally revolutionized the way I thought about my work. Yes, I still spent many a late night and weekend trying to make each of my projects the best it could be, but with only two weeks to complete each one, I was so focused on making sure that I had something complete that there was no time to waste worrying about the ways that it wasn’t perfect and in the end I am incredibly proud of the portfolio I built. 
I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone interested in transitioning to Data Science but you absolutely must be ready to put in the work and take ownership over your own success. Enrolling in Metis makes an incredible breadth of resources available to you, but its up to you to actually use them, sign up for 1:1’s, ask for help etc. Trust in the program! Also, the time investment is no joke, I worked about 3-4 additional hours a day after the day formally ended and put in time on the weekends too so do make sure that you have a good support system in place to keep on top of ‘life stuff’, making dinner etc. That said, after the 12 weeks are over you do get your life back :)    
In my cohort I was among a small handful of people who hadn’t previously worked in *some* form of data/analytics role or STEM background. However, given Metis’s rigorous admissions standards, I knew that I had what it would take to succeed. To be sure, there was a steep learning curve, moments of imposter syndrome and being so new to coding I never felt totally comfortable with pair programming (which is something Metis could do better to manage in the online format tbh) but I did come to better appreciate strengths of mine that I had previously taken for granted like knowing how to give a good presentation or not being afraid to ask a question during lecture. Bootcamp is often described as ‘drinking from a fire hose’ and this is apt, but, the great thing about Metis is that you still have access lecture recordings for 6 months after bootcamp if you want to review material that you didn’t fully grasp the first time around (which has been super helpful while gearing up for technical interviews) as well as lifetime access to all the course material that is on GitHub. The instructors provide such a wealth of required and supplemental materials that I have had the opportunity to further dive into as needed in the months since bootcamp and feel like I am continuing to get extra bang for my buck! 
My fellow students were also an incredible asset. Despite doing everything virtually, we still had the chance to really bond and after bootcamp ended I’ve stayed in touch with a number of classmates to give each other support on the job search. Likewise, I have found Metis alum to be incredibly generous, willing to take informational interviews and provide referrals for a number of job leads.
I also want to give a *big* shout out to the careers team. In my first meeting with my advisor, she asked me what I wanted to get out of working with her and I said, honestly, I’m committed to doing whatever work I need to do to get a job but I’ve never applied to a non-academic job, I feel so out of my comfort zone and really just need someone to hold my hand through the process. And boy did she ever! After graduating in December and taking a little time off, once I was ready to begin searching for jobs full time we had weekly checkins over Zoom where I could ask all of my questions about reaching out to recruiters, talking to hiring managers, preparing for technical interviews and felt so supported and encouraged through the inevitable ups and downs. Additionally the other careers counselor was also available to for guidance while my assigned counselor was away and she would even periodically check in to see how I was doing. Big, big gold star to the careers team! 
Now I can proudly report that only 12 months after I first started learning Python and about 4 months of job searching post-bootcamp I landed an incredible job as a Senior Data Analyst making a salary 3 times higher that I did as a postdoc. There is no way that I could achieved these results on my own, and probably not at another bootcamp program either. The investment I made in myself enrolling in the Metis bootcamp has paid for itself many times over. If you're ready to do the work, I cannot recommend this program enough! 

Metis is on point. They are constantly updating their curriculum based on industry standards. They offer as much 1-1 support as one could desire. They support big ideas and help them come to life. I found a Data Scientist job within 30 days of graduating (it was with a company I'd worked for in the past, but never in data science/technical roles). They also help tailor resumes, and part of the daily routine is preparing students for technical interviews. The people I met at Metis - both instructors and fellow students, were outstanding and I now am part of an entire network of graduates in the Data Science world.

I enrolled in Metis after a few years of working in analytics as a way to expand my technical toolkit and go deeper into data science. I’d done a lot of research on bootcamps (and taken a somewhat disappointing part time course at one of its competitors) beforehand. I can say with confidence that Metis has the most intensive curriculum in the field and the highest bar for admission and success. The technical assessment you have to pass before you’re even admitted and the amount of pre-work you do before Day 1 should clue you in. The instructors, TAs, and career team are all extremely gifted and do so much to help the students. The curriculum is well planned and constantly updated. Because every cohort is only 3 months, there’s a lot of room for them to innovate and they take full advantage: you’ll be exposed to the most cutting edge data science tools--things you won’t get exposure to as quickly in your job or at a more traditional program. The team also does a lot behind the scenes to personalize guidance and make sure every student is on track. 
However, because of the high bar and intensive curriculum, you have to be fully committed to not only get through the bootcamp, but get the most out of it. Creating a new project from scratch every 2 weeks while learning new material daily is intense. You need passion and curiosity to fuel you. You need to really love learning and doing the work. It is not for the faint of heart. You also have to be willing to ask for help. It’s easy to grab time with instructors and TAs as long as you’re proactive about reaching out. All the other students are extremely helpful. There's a real sense of community and that lasts way beyond graduation. The most successful projects I saw were from peers who combined pure passion with technical learnings and took full ownership of their projects (from ideation, to documenting their repo, to blogging/marketing their portfolio). Throughout the program, you’re able to explore different avenues of data science work, which is invaluable in helping you understand what type of role you want next, especially as the industry continues to grow. 
The careers team is helpful during the job hunt, but I think people often have lofty expectations. Careers will give you the tools to succeed, but that’s the most they can do. Networking, applying for jobs, etc. are things only you can do for yourself. I know of many peers in the cohort who were very proactive, brushed off setbacks, and landed jobs they really wanted within 1-2 months (some of them pivoted from completely different industries). In my case, Metis directly led me to my post-bootcamp Data Scientist role. Every cohort, the career team shares graduate profiles with all prospective employers via email, and before I’d had a chance to even apply, a company I’d wanted to join for over a year reached out after having seen my profile. Several of the other companies I interviewed for also recognized Metis and the strength of its program when I spoke about my experience. Upon accepting the offer from my top choice and current company, the career team was also very helpful in guiding me through the offer process. 
Metis opened the door to my next chapter and is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my career. I highly recommend this program. First, it gave me the knowledge, tools, and guidance to level up to a new version of myself and the room to explore what kind of data scientist I wanted to be. Then it quite literally opened the door to one of my favorite companies and a role that aligned with exactly what I was looking for. It also gifted me a lasting network of friends and data science peers: our shared passion for the field got me through long bootcamp nights and still energizes me every time we reconnect.
If you’re passionate about data, willing to do the work, and be proactive about your career, then look no further!! May Metis be a game-changer for you as it was for me!  

I attended Metis Data Science Summer 2020 Cohort after working at United Airlines as a data analyst. Wanting to make the jump from data analyst to data scientist, I decided Metis was the right choice for me. The coursework is excellent and expansive, covering important data science concepts ranging from natural language processing to deep learning. The coursework is regularly updated to stay up to date with the most recent concepts and algorithms to keep up in a very fast moving industry. The instructors are excellent and patient. It is fairly easy to find time for 1 on 1 interaction with an instructor or TA, despite being in a cohort of about 30. I liked the project based curriculum, as it allows you to apply concepts learned in class to areas of your own interest. Presentation days are great as you get to see how the same data science concepts are applied in countless different settings. Furthermore, the projects are a great talking point in the interview process, which leads me to my next point.

After graduating Metis, I didn't utilize the career support much. 2 companies did look through the Metis directory and reach out to me, but other than that, most of my success came from LinkedIn or other job boards. I was fairly lucky that a recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn about a position that was somewhat similar to my previous work experience. My previous work experience, plus my newly learned knowledge of basic data science concepts helped me pass the interviews and land a data scientist contractor job. However, I consider myself lucky, as this position happened to overlap with my previous work. I believe most people in my Cohort are still looking for employment opportunities. 

I would not have passed the technical interviews and landed my current job without the basic data science concepts I learned at this bootcamp. With that said, I believe that previous work experience is crucial in how your recruiting process goes. If you have a few years or experience under your belt, then this bootcamp is for you. If not, it could be trickier for you to find employment opportunities, despite the high quality of the bootcamp.

This bootcamp gives students everything they need to start a career in Data Science.

The curriculum itself is very strong, starting off with basic topics and continually building until each student has an understanding of all aspects of data science. Also, the five portfolio-building projects are perfectly spaced out to really drill the concepts from lecture into the student's brain. That being said, the common simile you hear throughout the bootcamp is that it is like drinking from a water-hose. Metis provides you with so much information that it is slightly necessary to gain a light understanding of every topic, only diving deeper into the topics that will help you finish your project. After the bootcamp is over, it's encouraged to continue reviewing material and further solidifying your understanding. Metis will provide more concrete details of the curriculum if requested through their website. I personally found that further education after Metis was completely necessary to land my current job, specifically knowledge in SQL and statistics.

The prerequisites for Metis are very important, in my opinion. You should have a basic understanding of stats, linear algebra, and Python. Of those three, having knowledge in Python is the most important. During the first week, you jump right into a team project due Friday, and if you're stuck on some basic Python issue, it's just going to weigh you down throughout the whole course. Luckily, if you chose to do the Metis intro to programming course, they deduct the price of that course from the DS Bootcamp tuition, which is a no-brainer (unless you've already taken a course in Python and feel comfortable). As for linear algebra and stats, you can kind of get by, but you probably won't fully understand the more math heavy lectures. Prior to Metis, I took a course from MITx to learn Python, which set me up very well to feel comfortable during Metis.

The team at Metis is very amazing. The careers team is very helpful and responsive. I was assigned to an individual careers advisor, but it never deterred me from getting insight from the other advisor, who was always eager to answer my questions. Also, the Metis alumni are very responsive as well, which was great during the job searching process. In the end, landing a job is on you, so Metis does what it can to help, but if you aren't motivated, there isn't much the careers team can do to get you a job. As for the instructors, I would like to say they are all highly knowledgable and experts in their field. The only reason I did not give them a 5/5 is due to the structure of certain lectures. Lectures had the tendency to derail and either run over time to get through all of the material, or just get cut short and the student would have to review the end of the slides or notebooks on their own. However, it couldn't be easier to schedule extra time with instructors or TAs to clarify any questions or get some one-on-one time to go over a topic.

In the end, I'd highly recommend this program to anyone who has experience in Python and wants to start on the path to becoming a true Data Scientist.

Metis was an experience equal to drinking from a firehose, covering ETL and EDA, basic modeling, regression, classification, visualization, and deep learning. With the onset of COVID-19, Metis has shut all of its physical campuses, moving to an online format. Although I did not get to take advantage of its physical facilities, I was pleasantly surprised with how we, the student body, were able to maintain a good sense of community, in part facing deadlines for projects and presentations as a group.

Most instructors were very well qualified and super helpful. Some, one might say, were even over-qualified. Some had taken the boot camp themselves, while others had not, often working at other boot camps beforehand.

The student class was diverse, with some students having a computer science background, while others did not. Some had MS and PhD degrees, while others did not. Generally, all students brought a unique perspective and unique interests, which helped the student body stay coherent.

I think learning the essentials of numpy, pandas, scikit-learn, and matplotlib/D3/Tableau is essential for any worker in the modern economy. Even though I think Stanford is fairly forward-thinking in its curriculum, we had one student in our cohort who was a current undergraduate: Metis provides the tools that traditional universities still omit or relegate to one-credit or non-credit courses. Basically, traditional education systems often leave out data science as an afterthought. Metis puts it front and center.

I loved my experience at Metis. That being said, this hasn't been the ideal time to search for a new job.

The Bootcamp
The bootcamp is full-time so don't expect anything less. I know some students who worked a lot of extra hours but it's not strictly necessary to keep up. But at a minimum, there will be a few weeks where you'll need to work 45 hours.

A lot will depend on the instructors you have. Since the bootcamp is now going fully online, I'm not sure if they still plan on dividing students up into cohorts. We had different cohorts (Chicago/online, NYC, and SF) and the instructors and TAs were different for each one. I was in the Chicago/online group. Alice Zhao is one of the best teachers I've ever had and Joan Wang is also a top notch teacher. I will say, we had a couple of lectures by instructors from SF and NYC and I wasn't as impressed by them.

For most of the bootcamp (with some exceptions), we had lectures in the morning and independent project work in the afternoon with a fair amount of opportunity to ask instructors questions as we worked on things which was a huge help. Working on these projects without anyone to ask questions would've taken much longer.

The Careers Team
The careers team and support is generally decent. There are some useful tips I've gotten. I disagree with some of their recommendations but that's not surprising considering how many people dole out job advice these days. Basically what you'd expect from an overall alright careers team.

They do their best to help in any way they can, and they're very responsive. It's easy to message them or book appointments. I do find them a bit patronizing (kind of like they're talking to children instead of working with fellow adults).

The Job Search
I started job hunting in July and it's still going. Getting call backs at all during the pandemic is ridiculously difficult. I've had a few initial interviews/take home assignments, all of which have been through either referrals or messaging someone through Slack. I've only gotten rejections or no responses for online applications. It hasn't been that long for a job search but I would note that while I see plenty of new data science openings on job boards, the number of applications these openings are getting during COVID are huge. I was holding off on posting a review until I get a job so I could give a concrete amount of time between bootcamp and employment but I decided to post this review earlier to share a warning-

While I enjoyed Metis tremendously, I would not recommend leaving your current job for a data science bootcamp in the current job market (unless you can do it without quitting your job - i.e. a sabbatical or your employer pays for it, do NOT try to work full time while doing this bootcamp).

Something else to keep in mind, which I keep hearing and can be a bit scary, is that with the number of people trying to get into the field, the market is really saturated with people trying to break in. Though from what I can tell, the jobs of non-entry level data scientists are still high demand (speaking of the pre-pandemic situation- I've spoken with a number of people and it's very different now) so it seems that companies have to be more willing to train newbies. :P That being said, I think breaking into a data science job before the pandemic was definitely more feasible. So that might be the case when the economy recovers. But I would really keep in mind that with all these people studying data science, the bubble will pop at one point. Which sucks to hear and is frustrating to take into account because you have no idea when that is. But do keep it in mind.

The Alumni Network - This deserves special note, at the very least because it's very hyped up. After you graduate Metis, you get access to the Metis alumni Slack. It's a great resource. Not super active, since after leaving Metis and getting a job a lot of people don't have the initiative to hang around a lot in the Slack. I've gotten three referrals in the last few months from reaching out to people in the alumni Slack (one application still got rejected sadly, for one I got rejected after a second take home assignment, and for one I was rejected after the initial interview). So not a bad place for leads. If I'm applying to a company where a Metis alum works (checked via LinkedIn), I can message them on the Slack asking about their experience at the company and I normally get a response. Two out of three of those referrals ended up coming about organically that way.
All of which is to say, it's nice being able to network with people already in the field and to have the community, but don't expect a lot of activity and go in with the expectation that you'll get a job via an alumni.

For me, the highlight of the Metis bootcamp was having top notch instructors who enjoy the material and are dedicated to sharing their data science knowledge. In fact, the Metis team overall (not just instructors, but also the TAs, program manager, career advisor, alums) as well as a high quality group of bootcamp colleagues together offer an amazing level of support through what is a very intense and fast-paced 12 weeks. Given the pandemic, we conducted the entire program online and it really went so smoothly. I was concerned with the ability to make connections and while it’s different than meeting in-person, it was still possible to develop genuine relationships. I highly recommend Metis to anyone with sincere interest in data science and is seeking a truly rewarding experience.   

What makes a bootcamp great is the team who teaches and organizes it. Metis has an outstanding team of educators, who support and inspire you throughout an intense cycle of 5 projects. Career team is very professional, motivated to help, and is in possession of great deal of tools and connections to support you in career search. Wherever you are, this bootcamp pushes you to the next level. Curriculum is rigorous and challenging, but at the same time - a ton of fun. It is one of the most rewarding time and money investments I’ve made – absolutely worth it. 

This bootcamp is an incredible mix between project-based learning and day-to-day lectures. The instructors were all incredibly interested in the students succeeding and understanding the material taught in the bootcamp. They always answered student questions thoroughly and thoughtfully, and spent the time to pay attention if students were with them, even in a virtual setting.
Towards the middle and end of the bootcamp, career services really kicked in and helped with resumes, cvs, and mock interviews. Of course it's up to each student to reach out to employers and get connected, career services dishes out helpful advice that is helping me in my job search.
I honestly highly recommend this bootcamp for those that want an intense 12 weeks of learning data science tools and concepts.

There are so many thorough and thoughtful reviews already here for Metis, so I'll try to keep mine short and sweet.  Metis was the best option for me because I was looking to build out my technical skills (Python, statistics, etc.) to get the job that I wanted.  I tried self studying at first, but had trouble knowing what to focus on and staying motivated.  I moved from Europe to the Bay Area to attend Metis, where I met the most wonderful, intelligent, kind, and diverse group of humans in my cohort, the staff, and alumni.  This is a priceless network that I am still involved with and leveraging, and the people I met are now some of my closest friends.

The curriculum is thorough and the standards are high, but the instructors, teaching assistants, and your peers are there to support you throughout the program.  This program is what you make of it, so if you put in the motivation, effort, and positivity, you will reap the same in kind.  I'm happy to answer any questions about my personal Metis experience in more detail over LinkedIn, so feel free to reach out!

As an Air Force veteran looking to expand my data/tech skillset, I left my previous job hoping to find a program that not only provided a challenging learning environment, but also one that accepted Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits and had experience training and working with veterans. Metis ended up fulfilling these criteria and exceeding my expectations in most ways. 
Within New York, Metis stands as one of the few data science programs that is approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs for GI Bill funding due to its accreditation by ACCET. The Metis team also has a history of training vets and assisting them in finding employment after graduation (I was one of 2 vets in my cohort of ~20 students), and many of the Metis hiring partners have relatively strong veteran networks. 
Outside of vet support, the approach to instruction, strength of the instructors (at the NY branch), and alumni network stand out as particular strengths of the program for me. It’s obvious that Metis incorporates many of the teaching techniques of its parent organization, Kaplan, in its approach to data science instruction. The program is almost entirely project based, with emphasis on collaborative learning through pair-programming sessions and blocks of unstructured time to work on projects and interact with TAs/instructors - if you’re serious about learning the material, the program gives you all the resources you need. 
The instructors and TAs were generally outstanding - all very approachable, knowledgeable, and experienced in interacting with students at different skill levels. I also liked that the 3 instructors each seemed to complement each other in their teaching styles and areas of expertise within data science (I definitely had a personal preference in terms of which instructor I was most comfortable learning from, but being exposed to different styles was a benefit). 
The alumni network seems particularly strong, with Metis grads at both high profile organizations and smaller start-ups. Generally speaking, there seems to be a generous culture of community/connection for grads. Many seem to remain active on a Metis alumni slack channel and from my recent experience, most have been quick to respond to requests to connect and network for job opportunities. 
As a final thought, I should point out that my cohort transitioned to online learning for the final 2 weeks of the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Metis team did a commendable job making the transition as painless/seamless as possible. The quality of instruction remained high and the team was flexible in its approach given concerns/challenges from students. 
In summary, the program was a worthwhile experience and I’m happy to be part of the Metis community post graduation. Would recommend to anyone considering a data science program. 

I attended the 2020 winter cohort of the Metis Data Science Bootcamp.
Short version: Excellent!

Medium version: Excellent but be prepared.

Long version:
12 weeks of training for a data science job. Is this possible?

Yes, kind of. I acquired a data engineer position 3 weeks out from the bootcamp, and I know of at least two cohort-mates who are now employed, one as a data scientist and one as a data analyst. So, with a sample size of three, it's absolutely possible.

I certainly learned a ton in my 12 weeks at Metis. However, I relied on things I'd learned before the bootcamp to make the training optimally effective. In my case, that was a master's in chemistry from years ago, and a 4-month computer science certificate at Loyola University Chicago right before the bootcamp. 

Obviously, I won't say you need this exactly, but you do need a certain level of math knowledge and programming ability to keep up. And the more you know in these areas, the more effective the bootcamp will be for you.

I don't believe it matters where you get that knowledge. Free MOOCs are a good place to start.

It's worth noting that the rigorous application process selects for people who have, in Metis' view, enough knowledge and skill to pass the program and get a data science job. And I think their view is accurate. Still, I believe you increase your chances of being hired quickly if you know more going into the bootcamp.

The career support is excellent, just be aware that the careers team is more responsive on an individual basis after you graduate. This isn't a bad thing - you'll be busy during the bootcamp and won't be putting your full attention to the job search until after you graduate - but I wish it had been made clear from the start. I have left that feedback with the bootcamp, so I expect there will be more clarity about that in the future.
And I'll reiterate that, although the careers advisor was sometimes slow and inconsistent to respond during the bootcamp, they were 100% responsive and super helpful after I graduated - that's why I choose to give 5 stars for job report, despite that caveat.

The project-based nature of the curriculum is an excellent feature. It's where the rubber hits the road and you learn to use the tools in what is as close as possible to a professional environment. You will come out of the bootcamp feeling comfortable with the standard data science toolkit. And, when it comes to learning Git, there's nothing more instructive than surviving a few Git trainwrecks. (It's a long story - contact me if you're curious).

Given the current situation (for people from the future, we're in the COVID-19 epidemic), I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the bootcamp was required to go remote for the past two weeks of my cohort. Luckily, the Chicago branch of Metis had launched an online program at the start of January 2020, so they had ironed out all the kinks by the time the size of their online cohort tripled in week 10 of the bootcamp.

I mention this because Metis will be remote for a while at least, but I'm confident that it won't hamper them from giving an excellent experience and education.

If you'd like to ask any questions about Metis or resources to prepare for Metis, please feel free to reach out with a connection request on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekand/

Overview: Metis exceeding my expectation. The program is designed to provide a holistic understanding of data science including machine learning, programming, statistical analysis, and data communication. Through five end-to-end machine learning projects, I developed skills in data acquisition, database management, exploratory data analysis, supervised and unsupervised learning, data visualization, natural language processing, and much more. The program set me up for a successful career and I received a job offer very quickly after graduating.

Instructors/support:
* The instructors are eager to teach and help you understand the material. They offer instruction through classroom lectures, daily coding challenges, and one-on-one projects support. They are always available to dive deeper into a subject in one-one-one or small group conversations as needed and provided ample support to each student.
* The career advisors ensure you are prepared for your job hunt with workshops, resume support, and one-on-one advising. Throughout the job application and interview process, they help you understand your strengths and provide coaching and opportunities to practice skills that you aren't as strong in.
* The managing team is very helpful and curates the space for each cohort. With a large open area, ample tables and monitors, and a full kitchen, the space has everything you could need to be successful in bootcamp.

Preparation: From day one the program is intense and exciting. Prior to bootcamp, I participated in the pre-bootcamp training course to learn python and get a feel for machine learning and statistics. The pre course prepared me great for the bootcamp and set me up for a successful 12 weeks. Additional bonus, the $750 cost for that course is then deducted from the tuition of the bootcamp! 

I strongly recommend Metis for anyone interested in transitioning to a career in data science. 

Metis was an incredible experience, and exactly what I was looking for when I decided to leave my old job: I wanted a stronger statistical foundation in ML concepts, and a portfolio of end to end ML projects to speak to. The curriculum is focused on understanding and implementing ML using Python, and less focused on SQL or data visualization.

I attribute my amazing experience to the Metis teaching staff and my fellow classmates. Joe, Vinny, and Kim taught my course in New York and made the classes engaging, demonstrated extensive industry and academic knowledge on various data science topics, and showed genuine enthusiasm for helping students learn. I loved learning alongside my classmates who were intellectually curious, happy to nerd out about any sort of data science concept, and brought experiences from a wide range of industries. Some of my favorite parts of the bootcamp were conversations I had with classmates about project ideas and use cases -- I know I'll cherish the friendships made through the bootcamp for many years to come.

No job search is easy, but I felt equipped and ready to tackle job interviews with the support of Metis career advisors. Jennifer, who leads the careers team, gives direct and honest feedback during mock interviews, allowing you to be successful during the real interviews. However, getting job interviews can be more difficult for some than for others -- it all comes down to one's network and how well one's past experiences align with the job description. While the Metis Alumni Network is large, job opportunities still tended to come from existing networks rather than from the Metis network. For some of my classmates making a larger career switch, it seemed more difficult to get an initial interview for a data-related role.

Metis is a great way to get started in the data industry and is equipped with strong resources for learning data science practices and networking.  I will say the standout strength is the instructors: incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and well equipped to teach you what you need to know.  There are a few things to keep in mind however.  First, the mileage you get after graduating heavily depends on your work and educational experience before you apply.  If you have no experience in the data industry expect to get a role as an analyst or associate; if you have some related industry experience you may be able to reach for a data scientist role.  However, while most of the students are likely to fit into the former category, the curriculum is very heavy on data science and does not totally adapt well to a majority of analyst roles.  There's just not enough SQL, dashboarding, and other forms of analysis employed.  Curriculum weighs heavily on the machine learning side, which is something that you may be unlikely to encounter leaving the bootcamp.  

Beyond the learning, I would say the organization overall is something like a 3.5/5.  While there are some standouts, it is obvious some of the career counselors and staff members are better than others and so you have to be careful about who you align yourself with.  The NYC location in particular has the strongest overall staff as it is the base of operations.  However, the local NYC administrator is weak and can be totally out of touch with student needs at times.  Thankfully, higher administration like Jason Moss are exemplary representatives of the organization and serve the students very well.  Just be wary of certain staff members, they are not all equally equipped to deliver the necessary communications and resources that students require.

I have nothing but positives to speak of when it comes to Metis.

The instructors (John, Lara, and Alice) communicate clearly, are very approachable, and have a passion for teaching data science.  Even though the bootcamp is only 12 weeks, by the end of the program you will have a portfolio of projects that you will be confident in sharing with future employers.

One of the main reasons I chose Metis was due to the harder application process and intensity of the program relative to other bootcamps.  If I was going to commit to diving into this field, I wanted to make sure I was surrounding myself with others who were just as committed, and Metis delivered exactly that.

The support doesn't end at the bootcamp; our awesome career advisor Ashley Purdy will be with you every step of the job search even months after the official end of bootcamp.  She will help with tweaking your resume, give mock interviews should you need them, and connect you with Metis alum who are working at places you're applying to.  

The classroom space itself also exceeded my expectations.  In addition to a classroom where lectures are taught, there is a huge working space for both students and alumni to work on their projects or applications, with an abundance of monitors for everyone to use.

If you have any doubts about joining Metis, schedule a tour with our program manager Caroline Csernus, who will be more than happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have! 

Metis exceeded all of my expectations. The instructors were some of the best I have ever had, and were extremely encouraging whenever I had questions (a lot) or doubted my abilities (also a lot).

 

I loved that each student could focus on their interests and skills by choosing our own project ideas. It allowed everyone to better find their niche & inform on what we want in a job, since Data Science roles are so varied.

 

I felt really prepared entering the job application process after completing mutliple career-based workshops and 3 different mock interview sessions. And, I got a job from my Career Day presentation at the end of bootcamp. Can't ask for better than that!

 

I was looking for a program that would help me get to be doing interesting work quickly, and Metis was perfect for that. 

Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn if you have any questions. I had a bunch before I started, so I understand!

I came to Metis directly out of undergrad, having done a computer science and math minor, along with some econometrics. I knew that I wanted to be a data analyst or data scientist, but was disappointed with the responsibilities and salary of jobs that I was getting offered right out of college. I came to Metis looking to find a way to break into the data science industry (use machine learning rather than being an entry level data analyst),a nd to up my earning potential. One year later, I am working as a data scientist at a place I love to work, and can say that Metis has more than paid for itself within a year. Additionally, every single person associated with Metis from the instructors, to my colleagues at the bootcamp, to the career coaches, to the founder (who still personally checks in on students during your time there) was great at what they do, an absolute pleasure to be around, and really make Metis feel like a second home and somewhere that you enjoy coming in to work despite the intensity of the courses offered.

At Metis the main things I gained were: 
1. Knowledge of all the core Machine Learning algorithms and data science concepts. This is the minimum that every bootcamp you are looking at hopefully offers to you. Metis's instructors are exceptional, care deeply about the success of their students, and are experienced in the industry so you are getting the best instruction.
2. Access to a tightly-knit network of alumni. The alumni network is very active and its easy to get in touch with the vast majority of people. This is invaluable when it comes time to search for that job. My current job I landed due to a connection with another Metis graduate. I can confirm that our program has a very good reputation within the industry as well.
3. Something to put on my resume that separated me from the rest of applicants looking to get into the industry. Most people that are looking to break into that entry level position really only have experience in school, as I did when I was first looking for a role. Being able to provide proof that I did complete data science projects, talk about what I did, and how that can transfer over to a company, is invaluable in making yourself stand out from the crowd.
4. Interview preparedness, resume, and networking skills. This is perhaps the most undervalued part of a program like this. Like it or hate it, interviewing is basically a skill set unto itself that will highly determine your salary and whether or not you get offered roles in the first place. Interviewing is all about communication skills, which is the top thing that employers are looking for in the industry today (many data scientists are awful communicators), so it is a vital skill to your career.

So that is the main benefits of Metis. In my personal experience, I have found that people who opt for online bootcamps or ML courses are generally not nearly as successful in every aspect from learning the material, to lacking that oomph factor on a resume (as it is easy to claim doing something online), to being able to communicate what they've done in an interview, to lacking the network that a physical bootcamp brings you. For all those reasons I would never reccomend an online ML bootcamp to anyone.

In terms of physical bootcamps, I can definitely say that from my experience, Metis is the leader in the space right now. It's program is very, very intensive for all twelve weeks. Be prepared to work. Every morning, you will learn from your instructors about the ML algorithms and other data science concepts. In the afternoons, you will complete a data science project led by you that implements the algorithms you are learning. Every day you take what you learn and go and apply it immediately without hesitation. The cost is a hefty investment, but in my personal experience and in the experience of every person I have asked about it, the program pays for itself within two years, and often times within one. The interviewing skills alone are probably worth 10k if you have no experience with that like I had. Additionally, you will be working in the hottest industry on the planet right now, with AI and ML seeing hefty investments all across the globe, so there is no lack of opportunity in the field. 

Overall, Metis was an amazing experience. The people there are incredible, and it a hyper focused and collaborative learning environment unlike any i have ever been in. I would sincerely recommend Metis to everyone who wants to become a data scientist but doesn't have a pathway based on their current situation

Pros:

I was looking for an intense, well-run program that would help me get a job as a data scientist, and Metis absolutely delivered. I left my previous career in a completely unrelated field, 3D animation, in March, started the Metis bootcamp in April, and accepted a job offer as a data scientist in September. I chose Metis because its lengthy track record, stringent admissions process, and overall professionalism gave me confidence that the course woud be worthwhile. The bootcamp was organized and efficient: rarely if ever was there any unnecessary downtime or logistical snafu. Lessons and assignments were well-formulated and tested without being stale or filled with obsolete information. My instructors were knowledgeable, experienced, and good at simplifying and communicating complicated ideas. Teaching Assistants, all Metis alumni, were capable and accessible enough that I frequently went to them with questions or for advice. The Metis Admissions team did a great job of assembling the group of motivated and interesting students who made up my close-knit cohort. After the bootcamp, career advisors were available for consultation and interview practice, both in-person and online. I loved my time at Metis and got exactly what I wanted out of the program.

Cons:

I have no substantial complaints about Metis so I'm mostly nitpicking or mentioning general bootcamp issues here. Twelve weeks is a really short time to turn someone into a data scientist, so don't expect to acquire a deep understanding of every topic covered. Some lessons are merely a cursory introduction to a topic that you can choose to explore in-depth outside of lecture time. Metis has a job board to connect alumni with hiring partners, but I didn't find many posts for jobs in NYC. This isn't really a negative, but bootcamps can only do so much to help you get a job; you'll have to do most of the work of finding appropriate job posts and networking on your own. Career advisors are there to help you along the way but they can't just gift you a job.

Additional Advice:

Do your research before committing to a specific bootcamp or the immersive course route in general as it may not be the right fit for you. Reading alumni reviews is a good start but I recommend going to an open house or private tour of each prospective bootcamp if you're able to do so to make sure you like both the instructors and the classroom environment. Finally, read a diversity of opinions as any one reviewer's situation may not closely resemble yours. If you'd like to read more about my experience at Metis, check out my blog posts on the subject: https://wadya.com/blog/2019/05/21/metis-pre-bootcamp-and-week-1/.

I came to Metis with a strong existing background in artificial intelligence, but having been in one job for a number of years, feeling the need to upgrade my skills and rebrand a bit as a data scientist. The 12 week course was intense and with just the right balance of theory and practice. A great deal of emphasis is placed on learning current tools in data science and on a series of five data science projects. Much of the course was structured around these projects, many of which had a particular focus such as classification or natural language. Doing the projects provided an opportunity to learn both practical skills and presentation skills. Most of the projects had practice presentations before the final presentation, giving the opportunity to get feedback on presentations of varying formality. All three instructors--Jonathan, Kelly, and Adam--did a great job both in formal lectures and in making time available for more informal feedback. In addition, considerable support was provided both during the bootcamp and afterwards in the job search. Technically, the work focused on Python with instruction in related technologies such as NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Seaborn, Matplotlib, VGG16, Keras, and many others. Despite the intensity of the coursework, this was not an "all work and no play" environment. For example, my cohort celebrated the completion of the bootcamp with a weekend at a cabin on Lake Tahoe, which most of us were able to get to. If you'd like to discuss Metis in more detail I'm available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-w-ash/ .

If you are considering a bootcamp option for your career trainsition into data science, some will tell you not to waste your money since there are many free courses online. And yes, this is true if what you are looking for is just learning data science/machine learning concepts and become one of big pile of lackluster data scientice practitioners. 

However, what you WILL get out of data science bootcamp is not just learning about concepts, but being a true data scientist who thinks and acts like one. Through rigorous and well-structured curriculum, you will be comfortable breathing data science and be employable upon your graduation. You will learn how to complete end-to-end projects that employers love to talk to you about.

For me, career support and giant network of Metis alumni was what sold me to Metis. You will work with career advisors throughout the bootcamp and after bootcamp until you land a job, and their support has been best in class and superb. Career advisors showed true passion and interest in my success. Also, because all graduates from Metis are phenomenal and employed in top companies, they are essentially branding for you. 

To be honest, I was a little skeptical of how much I will get out of bootcamp, but now I can tell you with confidence that you will get so much out of it.

I recently graduated from Data Science full-time Bootcamp. The Bootcamp opened my eyes to learning what is state of the art of Machine Learning and Deep Learning. I had a great experience with career coaches and instructors. Everyone deeply cares about the student's learning experience. I gained a good understanding of stats and all the machine learning models. I graduated two weeks ago and I got three requests for on-site interviews. Definitely open a lot of doors for me. It is sad that they are closing Seattle Metis office. Everyone there did a tremendious job. 

The Decision

Deciding to transition my career from mechanical engineering and robotics to pursue data science was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. Attending Metis made that process worlds easier than it could have been, however, and I haven't regretted it for a second.

Research

Before enrolling in Metis, I spent months considering all of the options available to me. I researched other local data science bootcamps like Galvanize and General Assembly, as well as online platforms like DataCamp, Dataquest, Udemy, Udacity, and others. I studied, I toured campuses and talked with instructors, career advisors, current and former data science students. I did my best to weigh all the options and make an informed decision, and the process led me to select Metis as the best option available to me to help me successfully transition from where I'd been to where I wanted to be.

Preparation

For personal reasons, I actually deferred starting at Metis by about 6 months after I applied, and in the grand scheme I'm glad that I did. Metis allows students enrolled in the full time data science immersive program to also take a part time online course of their choice for free, so during those 6 months I also took their Statistics for Data Scientists course, which was a great warm up for the challenges to come. I also used this time to complete the Data Scientist curriculum offered by dataquest.io, which I found to be an overall well designed and nicely presented overview of just about every topic that's covered by the Metis DS immersive (this took me about 5 months to complete, dedicating ~10 hours a week to the study on nights and weekends). This was a lot of upfront work, but quitting my job to move off in an uncertain direction seemed like a big risk so I took it seriously. This allowed me to gain a nice foundation of knowledge to build off of while still saving up for an extended period of unemployment, and definitely paid dividends once the bootcamp started.

To anybody thinking about enrolling in a DS bootcamp down the line, I strongly recommend completing an online course first, both to make sure you actually like the work and also to familiarize yourself with the content so you'll be even more successful in the bootcamp experience.

The Bootcamp

The Metis Data Science Immersive was great. My cohort had a particularly small class size, only 6 students with 2 full time instructors, 2 occasional visiting instructors, and a very talented and dedicated career advisor. The staff exceeded my expectations on a regular basis. They're knowledgeable about a wide range of material and are passionate about teaching their students the skills they'll need to succeed. The program is specific to data science, but designed to be flexible enough to approachable and valuable to students coming from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. The material is taught with a nice combination of theoretical background and practical application, and the project-based nature of the course really makes the level of challenge a function of the student's appetite and ambition. Each project is as hard as you want it to be, you get out what you put in, and your peers and the instructors are there to help and support you every step of the way.

In terms of the level of challenge--everybody's experience and background are different, so I can only speak for myself--for me, it was challenging, but manageable. More than anything, it was intense. For the 12 weeks that the course lasted, I largely put the rest of my life on hold and worked ~80 hours/week on my projects and the curriculum. I was still able to maintain at least 6 hours of sleep most nights, but I was definitely dreaming about my work. The bootcamp was an endurance marathon, for sure. Not quite as bad as the worst parts of college, but close.

But then it ended and I was on the other side. Not only had I shored up my working knowledge of supervised and unsupervised learning, Pandas and scikit-learn, the difference between CNNs and RNNs and LSTMs and more, how to detect overfitting or design a metric or select a model, how to scrape data from the web or deploy a model in a web app--I'd actually done all of these things, and had full projects complete with code, presentations, and blog posts forming a highly visible portfolio that I could use to demonstrate to future employers that I actually know how to do the things on my resume.

What Comes After

The bootcamp is only 12 weeks, and much as it's all you can focus on while you're there, it's the means, not the end. I still had to get a job. While I'd saved up enough beforehand to survive an extended job search, I didn't actually want to drain my savings, so I jumped right in. I set a goal of starting a new job within 3 months of finishing the bootcamp and thought about what it would take to get there. I'd heard it was common for it to take 4-6 weeks or more from application to offer, and the common impression I got from talking to bootcamp grads is that you may well end up submitting dozens or even hundreds of applications before you actually get an offer. In short, finding the right fit is a full time job, and even getting your foot in the door enough to have a conversation with a potential employer takes intention, persistence, and a bit of creativity.

Here, however, is where Metis shines as well. The career counselor, Marybeth, as well as the instructors, were involved and supportive every step of the way, constantly checking in and offering help with everything from resume and cover letter reviews to practice interviews to job referrals and facilitating introductions. As long as you're willing to work, they're willing to help. I took advantage of all of these things and I think they paid off. I aimed to apply to 10 new jobs per week, and though I fell short of that goal, aiming high kept me active. It was slow getting traction, but eventually the pace picked up and I found myself juggling calls with recruiters, scheduling interviews, and having to meticulously track each job application in a spreadsheet to keep it all in order.

I feel fortunate to say that, somehow, my job hunt went pretty much exactly according to plan. 7 weeks after finishing at Metis, I accepted a job offer as a data scientist with a focus in computer vision. I'm genuinely excited about both the work and the company, and the skills and support I got from Metis were instrumental in getting me here. Huge thanks to everybody at Metis for all of the help, and best of luck to everybody out there considering a path like this for yourself!

Last year I felt totally stuck in my job, sitting at my computer reading review after review of data science bootcamps. I had a math and stats background, but no real programming knowledge/experience and really needed a sign that this was the right path for me. If this is you, LET ME BE YOUR SIGN. 

Metis was truly one of the best decisions I have made for myself and my career. Sure, I could have learned all of the material on my own outside of a bootcamp, but I am the type of person who needs structure, deadlines, and accountability and Metis gave me exactly that. But they didn't stop there! They brought me a huge network of like-minded people with varying backgrounds in a collaborative and supportive learning environment. 

The bootcamp was by no means easy, I definitely spent some late nights/weekends working on projects and reviewing material, but if you put in the effort you will learn a ton. I spent several months before the bootcamp not sure if I was ready/qualified to apply. I think the most valuable prep for me was the part time Intro to Data Science course offered by Metis which not only gave a good glimpse into the bootcamp material, but also gave me the confidence to apply right after (and the class is basically free because the cost gets applied to the bootcamp!)

The projects at Metis totally revamped my resume and the career support was extremely helpful. After bootcamp, they connected me with several interview leads specific to my interestes and qualifications.

Overall, if you're looking to get familiar with different ML algorithms and gain lots of Data Science job applicable skills quickly, I definitely recommend applying to Metis!

Metis was life-changing and worth every penny. Great course materials on everything from absolute basics to current state-of-the-art machine learning. Committed Instructors who really care about teaching and helping you succeed. Super smart classmates to collaborate and learn with. Tons of presentation practice opportunities which helps boost confidence. Career support from a million different angles, like networking events, technical mock interviews, resume workshops, and guest speakers. At the end of the day you get out of it what you put in, but if you're willing to work hard, and you have the aptitude for the topics on their entrance exam, Metis gives you everything you need and more to land your first job as a Data Scientist. It's certainly possible to achieve this in other cheaper ways, but with Metis you can be confident you're staying on track, staying motivated, and covering all your bases in one intense, neatly packaged 12-week sprint.

I had a great experience with Metis. I was looking for a fast-paced, in-person way to transition from a job in survey research and data analysis to a more coding- and ML-focused data science career, and it absolutely delivered. It was also a ton of fun!

Pros: 

• Amazing instructors. They know both the theory and the practice of the material they're teaching, and they were always happy to help me work through some weird problem or just figure out what to do next. 
• I loved the project-based curriculum, where I had to do everything yourself: pick a topic, find the data, plan everything out, build a model, make it better, figure out how to present it. I could work on stuff that actually interested me and I had real ownership of the product. At the end of the program I had a real portfolio of stuff I was proud of, not just a list of skills. 
• Focus on presenting. Two to three weeks of project work needs to be condensed into a four-minute presentation, which is tough! At the beginning of the program I thought I hated presenting slide decks, but after five chances to get better at it, I actually really enjoy it. 
• Excellent career support - LinkedIn and resume workshops, mock interviews and whiteboarding practice, great alumni network, and unlimited post-graduation support. They really, really want you to get a job. (I received and accepted a great offer exactly a month after graduating, from a company that saw me present at Career Night.) 
• The challenging application process means that all of my peers were very smart cookies. I learned a lot just from finding out what other students were doing. 
• Tons of extra material available if you want to dive deeper into any particular topic that interests you.

​Cons: 

• The rapid pace means that all of my projects felt (to me, at least) a little unfinished - there was always some more I wanted to do, but the presentation deadline always hit so fast! I feel like I could have done one less project if it meant more time to work on the others. 
• The focus on preparing for a job means that some interesting topics aren't covered in as much depth. For example, you'll learn the basic theory of deep learning and neural networks, but they don't spend that much time on it, because companies don't really hire boot camp grads to build deep learning systems. 
• The curriculum is constantly under development (which is good!), but that meant that there were occasional inconsistencies, like programming challenges that didn't always exactly relate to what we were covering that week.

I came to Metis with a master's in Stats and a background in financial services. I keep taking self-paced online courses in data science and analytics since 2018. I found those courses helpful but not enough to help grow career from data analyst to data scientist, so I was looking for in-person and intensive training in data science. My friend recommended Metis to me. As a mother of two little ones, I was not sure if I could handle Metis's fast-paced bootcamp. But I actually did it and Metis is one of the best experiences in my life. I highly recommend Metis if you are shopping data science training to make a career change!   Knowledgeable Instructors: I was at Chicago bootcamp. My instructors Lara and John are very knowledgeable with rich industry experience and deep understanding of theories. I like the way they instruct data science in a clear and practical way. They are always patient and super helpful.    Well-Structured Curriculum: I enjoy the project-based curriculum which prepares us exactly for what we would do at a data scientist role. We practiced pair programming on a daily basis. We also had weekly coding challenges.    Interesting Projects: I did 5 projects at Metis. Those projects cover regression, classification, clustering, NLP, and time series analysis. All the projects were done in two/three weeks, which means you need to push yourself hard and dive into the machine learning algorithms.   Presentation and Communication Training: I am not a native speaker. My English proficiency is limited and my communication skill has plenty of room to improve. I did presentation for each of my projects. My instructors and advisor gave me invaluable advice on presentation and communication!    Career Support: Metis's career support is amazing. My career advisor Ashley is super helpful! She gave me tons of suggestions and help with resume, cover letter, job hunting strategy, connection with recruiters and alumni, interview skills, post-graduation 1 on 1, etc.   Cohort Peers: Cohort peers are smart and from different background. It's a really good experience to know so many interesting people who have same passion in data science. I enjoy the collaborative environment at Metis. We helped each other out with problems and we keep in touch after graduation.    In short, I would say Metis is a life changing experience to me. High recommend!                      

I came to Metis Chicago with a degree in Economics, and several years of work experience in financial services and public sector analytics. I was running into problems at work where I knew there was a way to create models that would give us robust answers and to program sturdy solutions, but I simply didn't know how. I did the bootcamp to learn exactly that- how to use modeling techniques to answer real world questions, and to get much better at programming. I dramatically expanded my knowledge of statistics, modeling, and machine learning, and became a much better programmer. I'm surprised at how much I learned in 3 months. The strong emphasis on real world and business applications of these skills was indispensable, as was the emphasis on communicating my results through visualizations and presentations.

I recommend Metis to anyone who wants to pursue data science and analytics as a career. You actually gain enough knowledge and experience to move your career forward, or to pivot in that direction. The material is fantastic, it's clear that a lot of thought and effort has gone into not only producing it, but revising it to improve it, and curating it to keep it up to date. The instructors are brilliant, they're actual practitioners of the material, and they're excited to have you learn it too. The staff is wonderful, they make the bootcamp an enjoyable place to spend three months, and the career services support is way better than anything your college pretended to give you- it's personal, thorough, ongoing, and effective.

As with everything, you get out what you put in, but there's ample material to strive and learn a lot, and the instructors are supportive and available to help you learn as much as you're willing to. It's not easy, and it shouldn't be- if it were, you wouldn't be learning anything. It takes a significant amount of time and effort, but the payoff is worth it.

I came to Metis with a background in academic research and a graduate degree in biological sciences. Throughout my time as a graduate student I found several use cases for programming and using statistical modeling techniques for ongoing research projects but decided to pursue Metis with the hopes of expanding my knowledge of applying data science in real world business settings. Metis was instrumental in enabling me to drastically improve my statistical modeling and machine learning capabilities in addition to becoming well versed in deriving viable solutions to complex business problems. Furthermore, the emphasis of being able to communicate results in front of both technical and non-technical audiences was incredibly helpful for my development as a data scientist. 

I would highly recommend Metis to anyone interested in pursuing data science as a career.  The instructors are phenomenal and will provide you with all the tools and resources necessary for your success. The bootcamp was a significant time investment but was well worth the effort so long as you are willing to put in the time required to learn new concepts. All staff and instructors at Metis are fully committed to your success and I couldn't think of a better environment to kickstart your career as a data scientist.

I came to Metis from a very nontraditional background. I received my bachelor's from a conservatory in New York City, where I studied classical French Horn performance. While there, I had every intention of continuing to play music professionally. 

I decided to do Metis for several reasons. After graduating, I spent several years in a variety of positions mostly related to project management and business operations but was looking to get into more analytical/technical professions. I was taking courses on Udacity and Udemy for about a year; while I found those courses helpful and informative, but they were not enough on their own to facilitate a career transition. 

I learned about Metis from a close friend of mine who attended. It was a highly transformative experience for him, and he was able to secure a position at a startup where he actually started and is now building the data science team.

Like anything in life, you'll get out of it what you put into it. One thing that makes Metis so great is the community that you join. Some of my closest friends are students that attended my cohort (and even previous and subsequent cohorts). We all helped each other through the challenges that we faced throughout the bootcamp. We learned as much from the instructors as we did from each other by working through our problems together. (Always be willing to ask questions!!!).

While it would be possible for me to (more or less) learn this material on my own, I would not have been to do so as quickly and comprehensively. That said, even if I learned this all on my own, there's no way that I could have achieved the same level of confidence, not without being surrounded by the great instructors, staff, and peers that Metis provides. During the bootcamp, you'll get a clear idea of where the bar is and what you need to do to reach it.

The career counseling was also highly beneficial. They are very honest about the career options you should expect upon completing the bootcamp, and they do their best to connect you with hiring managers and representatives where your unique skills and background will be appreciated.

Without any technical degrees or relevant experience, I was told to expect the possibility of a data analyst position and not a data science position. I had about a 50-50 split in terms of the interviews I was getting between data scientist and analyst positions. Three months after completing the bootcamp, I received two offers from leads generated through the Metis career counselor. One as a Senior Data Analyst and the other as a Data Scientist. I accepted the offer as a Data Scientist.