Nucamp

Nucamp is okay if you need structure to stay on track, or if you're working full time but still want to learn some basics of web dev. Besides that, it's not worth the price. The backend course on Node.js/Express/MongoDB in particular was the worst of my experience. They just breeze over the surface and after taking the entire course, they never actually implement the demo project into something production worthy. My instructor went out of his way to show us how to actually connect our backend code to frontend and publish it online. Nucamp base material just gives you a .zip file of demo code and lets you figure these rather important steps out for yourself. 

The videos (hosted on youtube)  are poorly edited and "patched." The volume will change during videos, or the speaker will repeat the same phrase more than once where the video was edited. I took note of these, and sent them to the school, and 3 months later they're still sending students thru the course with these goofs uncorrected. I'm not a fan.

I originally took the backend course in March 2020, but stopped due to my instructor being lazy and inadequate in his effort to teach/review. I retook the course in July 2020, and just finished this past weekend. Don't go into Nucamp expecting it to be a real bootcamp. It is not. It's very much part time, and the knowledge you walk away with at the end reflects this.

Besides this one terrible instructor, the other 4 were generally knowledgable and seemed happy to be teaching. I have more good to say about these instructors than I do for the series of youtube videos that compromises what you learn during the "bootcamp."

If you're really interested in Nucamp, I suggest sticking to the front end material.

If you appreciated my honest feedback, use code GW9PKP when enrolling. Read less

My review

1) In-person learning (now online because of COVID19) is directed at doing work with instructor supervision, rather than showing up on Saturdays for 4 hour instructor lectures. Hands-down this is my favorite aspect of Nucamp. In traditional schooling for myself, instructor time was generally in the form of lectures and I believe sometimes that leads to student disengagement during class. Takes notes in a fixed space and time. Then go home and do the work on your own. Nucamp flips this script and I really appreciate it. The method of learning at your own pace at your own place (lecture videos) and then doing the work with the instructor and other classmates (workshop assignment) is a powerful framework. In my college days, the pressure was on the student to seek assistance from the professor, TA, or other students if they did not understand something; in Nucamp, the pressure is on the instructor as they now act as a guide and helper to the students when working through difficult problems (when knowledge actually sets in). This is instead of zipping through all of the lecture content with little discussion time for fear of missing out on valuable info. 

2) Weekly online plan: The mixture of lectures and code challenges provide the right balance between learning and application. By systematically teaching and then giving exercises based on what was taught, I believe the students are incentivized to master the material, albeit at their own pace. This is in contrast with other online programs such as on Coursera or Udemy, where there is little discipline on the student to test out the newly learned concepts. 

3)  Hybrid in-person & online program: With the lock-downs in place, obviously we are forced to do everything online. It's honestly great that Nucamp was able to pivot quickly and seamlessly due to this. It's not optimal but it probably proves the scalability and reduction of cost potential of Nucamp. Still, I joined the program for the hybrid model. I have done online programs and the self-discipline required to finish and progress through a breadth of content is challenging to say the least. I have also looked at in-person code-camps, but unless you are sitting on a big cash reserve and can quit your job or be out of work for 12 weeks with no guarantee of a future job, it is not optimal. It's probably for this reason that most people doing it are 20-somethings who have the financial resources and support etc. For every other adult, especially with children, this is highly unlikely. This hybrid model is perfect for everyone else. I think that the in-person workshop with a regional cohort provides the right amount of structure & social touch for student success at an affordable price around their schedule.

Thanks for reading all of this! Like I said, I am very impressed with this program and look forward to finishing! Nucamp is doing great things in the area of teaching!  Read less

I liked our overall group.. and instructor. always there when you needed him.. even though i had a horrible last two week due to work and family issues. i still managed to try and finish what needed to be done. and he reminded me that he was there if i needed any help which assured me i wasn't left behind in anything i needed help on.. a great instructor! Navaad Read less

Really good intro to the three core technologies - HTML, CSS and JavaScript. A reasonable time commitment, about 2 hours per day (5 days) plus the Saturday morning session. Instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful. Needless to say this 4-week course just scratches the surface relative to other (6 to 9 month) boot camps, but that's a plus, it lets you test the waters without a significant time and dollar commitment - smart stuff by Nucamp. Just one student note - don't wait for Saturday morning to begin the workshop assignment, best to get that started beforehand.  Read less

I saw the ad on Facebook and notice their tuition is very affordable. 
It will help me find a better career in the web development field.
Lastly, i like we can interact with the other students and instructors in slack
if we have any questions or struck in lesson they are able to help. 

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Nucamp's web development fundamentals course was a truly wonderful experience, and I can't wait to further my skills with Nucamp's full stack course! Before Nucamp, I nearly gave up on finding a bootcamp that would give me the skills I was seeking while still working around my full-time work schedule.  Not only is Nucamp flexible enough to maintain a job while learning, the low cost makes learning accessible. The value with Nucamp can't be beat.  Read less