Rithm School Reviews
Page 2
-
Aaron Verified via LinkedIn
Top Notch Web Development Immersive With A Personal Touch
Read more Read less of Aaron's review
I'm a graduate from Rithm's second class, and I can unequivocally state that it was a fantastic life decision. But I've read more than my fair share of optimistic bootcamp reviews, so let me say a little why I think so highly of Rithm School. I'll try to be as objective as possible, but its pretty hard to contain how highly I think of this school and its staff.
#1 Class Size: The first reason that Rithm stands out is class size - my cohort was 8, and the current one is 14. This is in stark contrast to every other place I checked out, including the likes of Thinkful, Dev Bootcamp, Hack Reactor, and obviously every university class I've ever been in. It really can't be overstated how hard it is to learn how to code "correctly" when starting out fresh, or coming from a career transition - learning the syntax is not enough, you really need an experienced hand to show you the things you can do, but shouldn't do, and the things you should do, that may not seem obvious. And learning those things is really hard to do when you've got a class size of 40+ with 2 instructors and a few TAs forcing you to go through a support-ticket system to get help - sure you'll learn eventually, but time is the most valuable commodity, and you'll expend way more time struggling as a beginner without a helpful hand to guide you. As an autodidact, I personally love the struggle of learning something new...but its really not an optimal use of time when trying to go from student to employed on life's busy schedule.
#2 -The Instructors: Elie, Tim, and Matt are some of the best instructors I've ever had, and they shine in this high-touch, low teacher-to-student ratio environment. I learned more in one hour with Matt during a technical interview in the admission process than several hours of Stack Overflow and Google-fu - they are gifted, caring teachers willing to go the extra mile for you. I can't overemphasize how important this is - in a previous life, I was a teacher, and as a teacher it was never enough to mechanically rattle off the material to learn for the day. We all know those teachers we had that really stood out, that *cared* about our struggle, our welfare, and actually helping us to internalize and learn something. I struggled in large classes to deliver the care each of my students deserved, but here at Rithm, these gifted instructors are able to shine their brightest in helping *you* truly learn and excel. Even when you really f**k things up and basically make life really difficult for an hour after accidently rewriting git history (that's funny...kind of...you'll see :-P...or maybe not)
#3 Career Support: Probably the most important thing after actually learning the thing, you need to get a job doing the thing, and here once again Rithm is fantastic. It's a common criticism of bootcamps that they teach you, and then throw you out into the wild with next to no career support. I should make a point here that part of Rithm's program includes a class with Outco, a separate organization that is fantastic at what they do in helping you prepare for technical interviews. The two organizations work closely together to help you meet the high bar for Outco admission during your time at Rithm. The final product is top-notch technical learning that transitions into top notch CS fundamentals and interview process learning. And I still get job referrals and postings that are a fit for me from the Rithm staff, so they're not just using this as a cop-out - they're with you until you get a job.
#4 Curriculum: Unlike a lot of places, this place does not teach you just JavaScript across the stack because its the current hot trend in the industry. Rithms uses both JavaScript and Python for teaching you front-end and back-end, and in particular you will learn how to setup a feature from the way it looks, to the data it accesses, to the way it stores that data in the database. You will not simply run a framework and press a button that abstracts away everything happening during an HTTP request/response, or security authorization/authentication, or in manipulating the DOM - you will in fact be taught what these things do each step of the way, how they interact, and tools available to make your life easier. I definitely found working with two different languages on the same product a challenge, but it really opened my eyes to the struggles developers face when working outside of just one language and the styles that a particular language encourages. I want to emphasize that while the *tools* you will learn here are obviously focused on web development, the practices you learn will help you as a software developer no matter what you end up doing. From version control, to test driven development, to Scrums and Agile workflows, they show you quite literally how a "real" developer works in their day-to-day. This is not just work on a pet project and some fancy styling - this is a deep dive into the lives of software developers with a focus on web development tools. Most of all, you'll learn that as software developers, we must always, always keep learning.
I really can't think of any real cons to the bootcamp itself outside of .you get what you pay for, which in this case is a good deal of $$$. They do scholarships and diversity funds though, so I know there are financial options available. I kind of wish they had bathrooms that didn't echo so much, but that's just me. And one thing to be aware of is that sometimes you hear weird sounds/see questionable figures walking around the area of the Mission. I did not consider this a distraction, but rather a educational experience in the different lives others live in the city. Not everyone is as fortunate to learn and work with all the rewards tech offers, and that's something you will be reminded of here (but no, no physical threats to to be had here).
Want to learn more? Reach out to Rithm - I'm happy to provide info too as an alumni. It's a great investment in a growing area, and while I could go for days about how great the program is or how it compares to other people I've known who have attended the likes of Hack Reactor or Dev Bootcamp, the main points are that you'll learn faster and better here than anywhere else locally, and you'll receive top-notch support in getting a job afterwards. Happy coding!
-
Owen Waring
10/10 Would Attend Rithm Again
Read more Read less of Owen Waring's review
Rithm was a fantastic experience from start to finish! Good course content, excellent instruction, friendly instructors and TAs, with lots of individualized attention. I had been slowly working through some Udemy classes prior to that, and I do feel like given enough time I would have eventually gotten to a proficiency level to start applying to jobs. However, the decision to attend Rithm was a total rocket booster to the process, likely saving me an additional 12+ months, and ended up being a lot more fun to boot!
I went from passable HTML/CSS skills and very basic JS, to confident in my ability to code in both modern JS and Python, build React apps and most importantly having a strong grasp on the fundamentals to continue my learning from there (while gainfully employed). I was also more confident going into the job search having learned with a cohort of folks roughly at the same level. It was very hard to gauge my actual skill level when I was teaching myself.
In addition, I now have a built-in network in the industry, and I made some wonderful friends along the way!
I was expecting the job prep side of things to be mostly fluff, but it ended up being really helpful to my job search process. I landed a full time engineering roll within 3 months of leaving Rithm and am really enjoying the career transition. -
Julie Han
Rithm School was the best decision I made - no regrets!
Read more Read less of Julie Han's review
Rithm School delivered on everything it promised: small classes, personalized attention, regular 1:1 meetings, knowledgeable and passionate instructors, positive learning environment, solid coursework and a TON of job assistance support during and after graduation. I learned so much, faster and better than I would have on my own. I gained a lot of confidence in my abilities. I made great friends with peers and alumni. And I was wonderfully prepared for my job interviews and ready to ace them, despite the current difficult job market. -
Nico Martinucci
Rithm === excellent!
Read more Read less of Nico Martinucci's review
I had such an incredible experience at Rithm. I was initially drawn to smaller class sizes (and the opportunity to learn a second back-end language, which proved VERY useful in the job search), and it did not disappoint. It's equal parts rigorous, engaging, and dare I say fun. The instructional staff is top-notch and really take the time to make sure you understand the material. It's clear that their focus is on you as the student, not on their graduation/employment stats or anything else superfluous - they've created an incredible formula where taking care of the former leads to the latter, and I'd go back in a heart-beat. -
Ashley Mathew
Best decision I've made!
Read more Read less of Ashley Mathew's review
Like most people, I struggled choosing which software development bootcamp I wanted to go to. I did a lot of research on Course Report and Reddit to help decide out which school would be the best fit for me. I'm so happy that I ended up choosing Rithm! A few of my favorite things about attending Rithm were -
1. M-F classes - Having class M-F allowed me to not experience burn out and still have a healthy work/life balance.
2. Internship/Professional Project - The professional project at the end of the program is a big plus as it allows you to work in a larger code base, provides invaluable experience to bring to interviews, and gives you an idea of what life would be like working as a software engineer.
3. Small class size - The smaller classes allow you to have more time and attention from instructors. The instructors/TAs take the time to teach you thoroughly, provide you excellent supplemental notes, and welcome questions.
4. Daily code reviews - After each lecture, there is always an exercise to complete to practice what you just learned. Each exercise had stopping points where we were required to get our code reviewed by one of the instructors/TAs. I really enjoyed this reviews because they provided us thorough feedback on what we were doing right/wrong and how we could improve our code.
Overall, I'm super happy with my decision to attend Rithm and would recommend it to anyone that is on the fence! -
Jenny
Best Decision I Have Ever Made, 100% Worth It
Read more Read less of Jenny's review
I am so glad that I made the choice to attend Rithm School. I found an awesome job within 2 months of graduation, and I think this is only because Rithm has prepared me really well for the job search. There are several things that I really enjoyed at Rithm:
1. The class size is much smaller than other bootcamps, for my cohort we only had 12 people and each one of us was getting so much attention from our instructors;
2. The curriculum is really well designed, we learned javascript and python and worked with a bunch of different frameworks such as React, Express and Flask, which are all popular frameworks in the tech world now and are in high demand for software engineer jobs;
3. For everything we learned, there are exercise designed for each section to make sure that we have enough practice on the new knowledge, every weekend, we would also get a comprehensive assessment that captures all the important things we went through during the week;
4. We did pair programming almost every single day, which taught us how to work with different people as an engineer, the communication skills we learned from pair programming has really helped with my interviews;
5. The company project differentiates Rithm from a lot of other bootcamps, we got to work on an in-production code base for a startup, during which we worked on teams with their project leads, practiced professional work flows, and got to experience what it was like to work in a real tech company;
6. Rithm is a super supportive family and everyone wants us to succeed. Each one of us has a designated advisor, a career coach, all of our instructors and TAs are always available as well, we could ask them anything, even after we graduated they still continue to support us;
7. The alumni network is super strong, I have got quite a few referrals from Rithm alums and one of them turned out to be my current job!
All in all, this is truly one of the best decisions I have made in my life. It was intense for sure, but it was also a lot of fun! I met a lot of friends, and I have successfully transitioned to be a software engineer. If you are thinking about attending a software bootcamp, I would highly recommend Rithm School! -
Sara
Great experience
Rithm was recommended to me by an engineer hiring manager I know. He said the caliber of student coming out of Rithm was much hiring than other bootcamps.
The instructors were super knowledgable industry professionals. The course work was challenging and interesting. It was definitely worth the money.
I was hired within 2 months of graduating.
-
Vanessa
Well thought out program with caring instructors
Read more Read less of Vanessa's review
Rithm is a fantastic bootcamp, you will not be disappointed!
Curriculum:
The program is well through out and the curriculum is constantly being improved and updated with sought after skills/knowledge/experience. Class sizes are limited to allow you to have more one on one interactions and feedback from instructors. All of the exercises are relevant and validated to ensure that they are appropriately challenging for students. During the sprints, we worked on technically challenging and interesting projects that were fantastic on my resume. I even presented one of them during a final round interview which really impressed the Engineering Manager I was interviewing with. The company project is a game changer! Being able to work in a professional code base, learning the work flow and then being able to speak to it in your resume/interview really puts you a step above the competition. One small note, I was nervous about being cold called in class but it really kept me on my toes and helped to make sure I was always paying attention.
Instructors:
Fantastic! Instructors have real experience and are able to give you insights into how technology is applied in a professional setting. You are given thorough feedback on your code (especially from your weekly assessments) that will help to improve your skills. You are also matched with an advisor throughout the program who you will meet with regularly to help you with technical challenges, career questions, or anything else you may need help with. With small class sizes, you get a lot of attention and help whenever you need it.
Job Assistance:
The job search preparation is thorough! There is one week focused on technical interviews (including practice whiteboarding, answering technical knowledge questions, and recruiter phone screens). There's another week focused on other job search related topics (ex. cold applying vs. getting a referral, negotiating, how to create a job search schedule, etc.)
Alumni:
Top notch! You are matched with a buddy as you get closer to job searching and your buddy can be an invaluable resource for your interviewing preparation. I'm incredibly impressed by the community developed by the alumni network who are willing to provide advice, help and/or refer you to interesting roles. When I was searching for a bootcamp, I almost didn't believe how amazing Rithm is due to the relatively few reviews and all the 5 stars. I cold emailed some alumni and they were more than willing to chat with me about their experiences. Now, as an alumni myself, I can validate that this is truly an amazing experience. -
Celine
An organized crash course for coding
Read more Read less of Celine's review
I was nervous about applying for a bootcamp and switching careers, but the entire process for Rithm made me feel more confident. This is a tough course, they cover a lot of material and topics in the span of a couple months. It is a full time commitment, even after the lectures are finished. They change their curriculum depending on the current environment, which is good for keeping up to date. I believe that in order to make good use of what you learned you have to put effort into understanding the material and topics. I started with almost no prior knowledge about coding, but I felt confident near the end. They also help with job searches post-grad and have check ins to help you stay on track. -
Mo E.
Rithm School is awesome!
I am a recent Rithm grad from a 2021 cohort! Joel, Elie, and Brit were fantastic instructors and the curriculum was well thought out to provide their students with competitive skills for the job market! I highly recommend Rithm for boosting my career, giving me job security and mobility in the tech sector! -
Lucas
Couldn't ask for a better experience
Read more Read less of Lucas's review
Overall Experience: 10/10
If you are looking for the absolute best coding bootcamp/school - look no further than Rithm School. Going to Rithm was one of the best choices I have ever made in my life. From the first email I sent to admissions, to my last day at Rithm - the entire experience was an A++. Rithm has truly changed my life for the better. They offer a superb curriculum that will give you the hard skills that real employers are looking for. You will be prepared for the first day at your new job and they offer a fantastic internship that builds real work experience while connecting you with people in the industry. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all that this school has to offer.
Instructors: 10/10
The instructors at Rithm School were one of my absolute favorite parts of attending Rithm. They are not only talented developers themselves but have a true gift of teaching. They are available, helpful and do everything in their power to help you succeed. I cannot speak highly enough of Matt Lane, Tim Garcia, Joel Burton, Nate Lipp and Elie Schoppik!
Curriculum: 10/10
The curriculum is FANTASTIC! They have managed to compile the absolute best blend of everything that you will need to know in an industry that is always advancing and changing. I was blown away by how great the curriculum was. The course work and assessments are not easy and that's by design - they make sure that you are legitimately prepared! If you are struggling or having trouble with the work, they are there every step of the way to help keep you on track. You will learn exactly what you need to know in order to succeed in the contemporary world of Software/Web Development.
Job Assistance: 10/10
Another home run! I had the pleasure to work with Zach DeRossette during outcomes. Rithm School provides you with an excellent internship and to top it off, their career coach (Zach) is available after graduation to ensure that you find the job you are looking for. Zach is extremely knowledgeable! He is personable and easy to communicate with. The outcomes portion of the program with Zach makes the process of looking for a job, so much easier!
Final Thoughts:
I'm not one to go around giving undeserved compliments and I could still go on and on about how much Rithm School has to offer. If you are willing to work hard, put in the time and you are serious about starting a career in this field - attend Rithm School!!
-
Perry von
Remote FullStack Program
Read more Read less of Perry von's review
I decided to stop taking classes at my college due to the lack of infrastructure and the poor transition/execution to 100% remote classes. I wanted to challenge myself, learn applicable material, and feel like I was getting my money's worth. Deciding to enroll and go to Rithm School was one of the best decisions I've made in my adult life. I got everything I wasn't getting in a traditional college and so much more. Rithm School offered me so much that other Bootcamps seem to lack, from the small class sizes and strong alumni community, the internships working with real-world codebases presenting new challenges and frameworks, to the constantly evolving course material and emphasis on learning how to 'learn' on the fly. If I could go back and start the course over again I would do it, I made friends, mentors, and future coworkers all while gaining the skills to feel prepared for my first programming job. Online, in person, or hybrid, Rithm School offers a top-tier education lead by demanding, compassionate and experienced instructors that will prepare you for the real world and give you a leg up amongst a sea of other Bootcamp grads. The school is worth every penny and I would recommend it to anyone looking to take the leap of faith into programming. -
Lucas
Success
Read more Read less of Lucas's review
My experience at Rithm school was everything I hoped it would be. Due to the small class size I was able to receive multiple code reviews per day. I felt I learned the most during these code reviews. We did a lot of paired programming on a daily basis which prepared us well for working in a team environment. I enjoyed working with my classmates to solve problems and get insight to see how they were approaching the problems. The most prominent value add was the software engineering internship at the end of the program. We got hands on experience working on a production code base with the team. I was able to secure a software engineering job 1 month after graduation at a startup with a starting salary of 120k cash + equity. -
Chris
Great curriculum bad communication
Read more Read less of Chris's review
So first let me state I was only in the application phase but I can give you my experience on that as well as their curriculum, which is open source.
The curriculum itself, I personally think is awesome. Not just the tech stack itself, getting to learn js, React and Python but it’s very well designed. I found it structured very well and super organized. They did t just grab a bunch of material easily available on the web but it seems to be intelligently crafted. I really enjoyed that parts that I have been through.
The part that I had a problem. With was their communication or lack thereof. Initially they were quick to respond and I still get automated follow up emails from them. However, for what ever reason they no longer respond to my questions. I don’t know if it was because I was asking about the programming cost, as it’s more expensive than any other I have found. That is the only thing I can think of. I was inquiring into financing and possible scholarships. I stopped receiving responses to the email or website chat so figured I would sign up for the initial chat with the admissions team. So I clicked on the calendar link, in original follow up email and scheduled a time. However they never showed up! Nobody ever called me at the scheduled time. So for whatever reason their is a breakdown in communication and that is concerning for this large of an investment in time and money.
That’s just my two cents and experience through the application process.
Course report doesn’t seem to let you only rate the items that are application but overall I’d say a two star experience with a 5 star curriculum. I obviously can’t rate the instructors or job assistance but I hear good things about the job placement rates. It won’t let me submit without rating those items so I will do that and edit it later if allowed. -
Jay Chi
I COULD BE A BOT
Read more Read less of Jay Chi's review
But only because I learned how to make one at Rithm school.
While there are a plethora of other schools that can teach how to do software engineering, not a lot of them can really teach how to be a good software engineer. Rithm teaches foundational knowledge and industry best practices from well seasoned veterans with years in the field (not student teachers!). In addition, the low student to teacher ratio helps with questions and cuts down on a lot of unnecessary frustration.
The internship experience is another huge advantage Rithm has over other schools. It was invaluable talking to prospective employers about real world projects I worked on and how it brought value to the company and my overal learning experience.
Rithm was one of the best decisions I have ever made and allowed me to transition into an incredibly rewarding career. I cannot recommend this school enough!
-
Gabriela
Best bootcamp in the bay
Read more Read less of Gabriela's review
When I was looking into bootcamps I read a ton of reviews and outcome stats for several schools around the country, and ultimately decided to apply to Rithm and one other school that had small class sizes and deferred tuition.
What I got from Rithm was more than just an understanding of the technologies taught in class. I also improved my communication skills, learned how to think like an engineer, and developed passions that I still pursue to this day. The instructors (Elie, Joel, Alissa, and Nate) inspired me every day to become better, and by the time I had graduated, I felt ready to start my job hunt. They also provided incredible support throughout the job hunt process, both through the highs and the lows. I am now proudly working a job I love, at a company I believe in, with a team that fully supports me and my ambitions.
-
Billy
Loved Rithm!
Read more Read less of Billy's review
Growing up with a learning disability, I thrived in situations where class sizes were smaller and one-on-one time with teachers was readily available. When I started looking into different bootcamps I was discouraged by how a lot of the top options had large cohort sizes, and seemingly not enough instructors to provide adequate help. Although it seems like folks who attend these camps are getting a good education and have success finding work, I knew it wasn't a great fit for me. I did manage to find a promising camp that had smaller class sizes ...but they had about a dozen campuses, and I got the impression that they may be spread too thin - that some of the instructors might not be very invested in what they were doing.
After searching for a bit, I managed to find Rithm. It checked all my boxes: small cohort size, quality instructors, a great tech stack, good job placement, one campus, etc. With a hefty amount of studying, I made it through the interview process and worked through the prep.
My experience at Rithm was great. From day one I really felt a sense of community, and that the staff cared about the success of each student. I was really happy with the pace of the curriculum and how easy it was to get help when I needed it. My cohort-mates and I got along great, everyone was encouraging and helpful.
During the main curriculum, an average day consists of 2 lectures and 2 labs. Labs emphasize pair programming. The hours aren't crazy, usually 9 to 5. That being said, pretty much everybody was putting in extra time to stay on top of the material. On the weekends there's an assessment that takes 6-8 hours to complete on average.
Later in program, a few weeks are dedicated to "company projects" where you get the chance to work on a real-world code base. Other camps don't do this sort of thing from what I can tell. The end of the program is dedicated to "outcomes" aka job searching and interview prep. Although time flies during a bootcamp and folks often feel unprepared, these two sections helped me feel confident.
Although Rithm might cost a bit more than other camps, I feel you get your money's worth. An added perk is it's location in San Francisco, where dev jobs are a plenty (check out Urbanests if you need an option for short term housing). It won't happen for everyone, but I managed to get a job offer pretty quickly after I graduated.
-
Jason
Best Bootcamp, no question
Read more Read less of Jason's review
I went through Rithm this year, part of their 11th cohort (r11 whats up!!), and received an offer about two months after graduating. Going to Rithm has empowered me to make a solid career change. Before going to Rithm, I went to app Academy's bootcamp prep course, which helped me get into app Academy, Hack Reactor, and RIthm. Keep reading if you want to know why I chose Rithm.
The most distinguishing factors that really separate Rithm from the rest are the instructors and class size. My class size was 17 individuals, we had 3 wonderful professors. Unlike some other bootcamps which will remain nameless, all Rithm instructors have experience as professional developers; they dont hire recent RIthm graduates to teach their course. Also, during the lab portions of the curriculum, you have full access to your instructors, not just teaching assistants. This means that when you inevitably get stuck on a concept, you get un-stuck much quicker, allowing you to better understand the core lessons.
Another thing great about Rithm, the curriculum they choose is geared to helping students develop a deeper understanding of what is going on. Rithm stays away from frameworks that abstract a lot of functionailty out of the code (think Ruby on Rails), and focuses on technilogies that lets students really understand all the parts necessary for building web applications.
For the most part, coding bootcamps will either try and get you job ready from 0% experience or require some work ahead of time. Rithm is of the latter, which is more realistic for getting a job. The time already flies by, and the self study required to get in allowed me and my classmates to hit the ground running from day 1. Prior to my self study, I had no formal programming experience nor technical work experience.
The Job Assistance is wonderful, the final couple of weeks are actually spent on job search specific topics; resume writing, negotiating, networking, etc. Rithm has a dedicated career coach who works on site, who has years of experience both as a recruiter as well as a career coach.
As a final note, they have a deferred tuition plan (which i utilized) so apart from a deposit, you don't need to pay until you have a job.
-
Ferris
Software Engineer
Read more Read less of Ferris's review
TL;DR: I absolutely loved my experience at Rithm. I moved to SF from Boston to attend and haven't regretted my decision for a second.
There are three key aspects where I believe other bootcamps would struggle to match Rithm:
1. Depth and relevance of curriculum
2. Quality and availability of instructors
3. Job supportThe curriculum at Rithm encompasses both the fundamental intricacies of modern languages (Javascript & Python) and a host of modern technologies that are in high demand in the job market. After you graduate, you'll be able to fluently speak about React, Redux, MVC frameworks, OOP, and Big O notation with the companies you're interviewing with. The key here is that neither is sacrificed for the other and you'll be able to do this with no prior knowledge. Most of class time is spent in lab building things with these technologies, while enforcing best practices that are used in industry and train you to write code like a professional.
This leads into the second point, which is the quality of Rithm's educators. Across the board they are individuals who have eye opening qualifications. One has a PhD in Mathematics, one contributed to the Python source code. All have multiple years of experience working in industry and are always open, friendly, and willing to help you work through a problem. More to the point, you don't have to wait around, or get in a queue when you need help. My cohort had twelve students and two instructors. Rithm keeps the ratio roughly 5-6:1, so the feedback cycle is dropped to nothing, allowing you as a student to avoid roadblocks and quickly absorb material.
Lastly, the job support and job-search portion of the curriculum were excellent and enabled me to receive an offer a month after graduating. Don't misunderstand, you'll still have to do the work of sending out resumes and cover letters, but it helps a lot to have a portfolio replete with Full-Stack projects, a great personal site, and experience with a startup. They also hold weekly office hours for job-seekers to attend and get help with whatever roadblocks they're facing in the job hunt.
To sum up, I'm extremely grateful that I made the choice to attend Rithm School. It was an absolute game changer and should be at the top of the list for anyone considering a bootcamp.
-
Sarah K
Amazing curriculum, job support, and instructors
Read more Read less of Sarah K's review
I’m from Boston and I decided to move across the country to attend Rithm School, rather than staying on the East Coast and going to a bootcamp there (or doing a remote program). I’m so glad I made this decision--Rithm School exceeded my already super high expectations.
Tldr: I’m a former high school English teacher with no experience in computer science. I chose Rithm because of the small class sizes, company projects, job search support, and amazing instructors / curriculum. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I loved the program, I felt really well-prepared for the job search, and I found a job within 2 months of graduation.
Here are some of the factors that set Rithm apart:
Small Class Sizes
My cohort had 14 students and 3 instructors. A lot of the bigger, well-known bootcamps have 40 or 50 students and 1-2 instructors. These larger programs will claim that you get more “real-life experience” in their classes because you’re forced to learn on your own. Rithm gives you all the benefits of “real-life experience” (you work on a project with a real codebase from a partner company, you gain experience reading technical documentation, debugging, researching on Stack Overflow), but you ALSO get thorough code reviews, lots of feedback, and ongoing mentorship from experienced developers. During Rithm, I often had to problem solve and research on my own, but after I finished implementing a feature, I received a detailed code review from an instructor. This is important because, when working totally independently you might create code that works, but it might be brittle and not up to professional standards. Ongoing feedback helped me understand how to write code that was well documented and more easily scalable and maintainable.
The small class size also means that, if you find a specific concept challenging, the instructors are always available to provide one-on-one support and extra review.
Company Projects
Toward the end of Rithm School, you will be matched with a company for a short internship. This is something that makes Rithm unique (most bootcamps have a final project, but it is usually a group project, rather than a project for a real production website or application). The company project is an incredible learning opportunity because you get to work with an existing codebase and interact with developers outside of your instructors and peers at Rithm. It also gives you real experience that you can add to your resume, which is incredibly valuable during the job search.
Preparation and Support in the Job Search
Throughout the program, you will have regular one-on-one check-ins with an advisor who will help you plan for your job search. Your success in finding a job ultimately depends on your own effort and persistence, but Rithm does a great job preparing you. In my experience, almost all of the topics that came up in interviews were concepts that had been covered extensively in Rithm’s curriculum. Rithm also offers weekly office hours for alumni who are in the midst of the job search, so you have ongoing support during the process.
Amazing Instructors and curriculum
The instructors at Rithm have worked in the industry for years. They are incredibly knowledgeable and extremely supportive. They are also constantly updating and refining their curriculum so that it focuses on the most current in-demand skills. The curriculum is also very thoughtfully designed so that projects and concepts build on each other in a clear sequence. And there are always “further study” options so that if you want to keep exploring a topic and deepen your understanding, you have resources and suggested exercises to do so.
If you’re not convinced yet, feel free to check out one of Rithm’s free events. That’s a great way to get a feel for the program. You can also reach out to Rithm alum on LinkedIn if you want more info.
-
Peter Farr
Fantastic Bootcamp!
Read more Read less of Peter Farr's review
Choosing Rithm school was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
That's saying a lot coming from a student that's as hard to please as I am. I have very high standards when it comes to my personal educationalist instructors at Rithm are extremely knowledgable and love teaching. If you are the kind of student that needs to be challenged above and beyond what most students need, the instructors at Rithm will more than happily provide extra learning resources to help feed your endless technical curiosities and ensure that you grow as much as possible throughout the program regardless of your skill level.
My experience at Rithm was great. We got daily code reviews and were taught not just how to write code, but how to thoughtfully build robust applications. Week after week I was amazed at how much I was learning. The curriculum is very well thought out - and structured in a manner that encourages maximum absorption and retention.
A huge plus for me was that Rithm school spends a considerable amount of time on backend technologies (as well as frontend). If you're interested in backend, then this is a great school. You won't just learn some massive framework and be great at only that framework - you'll learn the fundamental concepts that help you to understand how things are really working under the hood - and apply that knowledge to any tech stack you might encounter.
Rithm gave me the confidence to be able to pick up any new technology and find a thrill in quickly learning and adapting to challenging environments. During our company projects section, our team had to learn an entirely new language and framework within a week, and make significant contributions to a very large codebase. This confidence extended to my job search where I applied far and wide. A month after graduating I received a fantastic job offer working as a backend engineer at a gaming studio.
If you value attentiveness in your instructors, and an environment that will push you towards a path of significant technical growth - then Rithm School is a great choice. I would highly recommend trying out the private prep program before you decide to attend. You'll get to visit the school and get a lesson from each of the instructors to get a sense of their teaching styles.
I wholeheartedly recommend Rithm to anyone who is seriously considering attending a bootcamp!
-
Andrew Pungprakearti
2nd Career, got the perfect job a month after I finished
Read more Read less of Andrew Pungprakearti's review
My overall experience with Rithm School was excellent.
I was doing freelance digital effects and having a hard time finding consistent work. I looked into web development for a new career because I wanted to find a position where I could spend more time with my family and still have a stable occupation.
Rithm School stood out as the best choice for an engineering boot camp due to their small class sizes(12-14 students per cohort) and I also liked the idea of the company projects.
Our cohort was over the holidays, so it was actually a 19-week course including the break. A month after I graduated, I received my first job offer.
During the company projects portion of our course, I worked with a lot of new technology and that experience gave me enough to secure a job.
Now, I'm doing the work that I love to do, I have a 100% remote position so I can take my kids to school and pick them up after, and I'm making a lot more than I ever did in my previous career. It couldn't have worked out any better.
The instructors were also great. They were very supportive of our progress each step of the way. I had Joel, Elie, and Alissa as my instructors. Each instructor was amazing at teaching and very entertaining as well. I was never bored in any of the lectures and had so much fun during the cohort. You could really tell they cared about us and loved what they did for a living.
I would highly recommend this boot camp to everyone.
-
Zejian Shen
Invest in yourself
Read more Read less of Zejian Shen's review
I was in from Rithm's Cohort 5 from Nov 2017 - Feb 2018. I got a job as a Software Engineer 5 weeks after graduating in addition to multiple offers.
My background is in Fine Art, so I was looking for a program that would offer a lot of support in addition to real-life portfolio projects that would make my resume competitive. Rithm School was above and beyond with what they offered. Not only is the curriculum comprehensive and accessible, the class size was small enough that Elie, Matt, Michael, and Jeremy were always quick to respond with really practical and helpful insights to all of my questions during the program, as well as freakouts during the job hunt.
Further, there is a really great support network for even AFTER we graduated. I highly recommend this program for those who are interested in transitioning into tech, but who are intimidated and overwhelmed by how to approach the materials.
It's really the best investment I've ever made for myself.
-
Stephen
Life Changing
Read more Read less of Stephen's review
TL;DR: RIthm provides an excellent javascript & python full stack curriculum (including React) complemented with data structures and algorithms practice and lectures. Support continues through the job interview process. Within 3 months, I found a fullstack engineer position in San Francisco.
One of the immediate benefits of Rithm was the small class size and high teacher to student ratio. This allowed everyone to have access to an instructor throughout the course. This doesn't mean they held my hand through the course! They were excellent at extending a concept or assignment for those stretch goals.
Every morning you are given a warm-up assignment covering data structures and algorithms. This was crucial come time for whiteboarding or toy problem interview questions.
The entire curriculum I would argue leads up to the company projects. Rithm has teamed up with companies for Rithm students to work as contractors on new features for their product or service. This prepares a student for the interview process as they have experience working within a company's production code base rather than a final project built from scratch.
-
Adele
Four (of the many) things that make Rithm School the best: the instructors, the class size, the curriculum, and the contract projects.
Read more Read less of Adele's review
I can't recommend Rithm School enough. You will probably read this and think I'm biased, but .. it's the best bootcamp in San Francisco. I have friends who did other bootcamps and I honestly I think Rithm is the best choice. Four (of the many) things that make it the best: the instructors, the class size, the curriculum, and the contract projects.
1. The instructors: not only are they amazing developers, but amazing teachers. Both of those qualities in a person are hard to find, and all of the instructors fit in that rare description. Other bootcamps you learn almost everything from pairing with other students. At Rithm you actually get to learn from experts, which means your code doesn't just work, it's also well architectured. All 5 instructors at Rithm are just as passionate about teaching as they are about coding, which shines through.
2. Small class size. Who wants to learn in a class of 100 with hardly any actual instructors? Rithm has an unbelievable student:teacher ratio. (Plus they are teachers not past students.)
3. The curriclum is the best out there. Each cohort the instructors try new things, they experiment with curriculum and find out what works the best. It's amazing how good they are at iterating over new ideas and formats to teach the information the best way possible. The curriculum online is my source of truth. I know exactly where to find what I need and I refer to Rithm's curriculum before anything else. I studied from it during interviews and I still refer to it at my job.
4. Contract projects with large code bases. I didn't know how essential this was for me to do well in my first job. If I had walked into my first programming job without already working on a contract project it would have taken me a lot longer to get up and running. But at Rithm we had 4 weeks of devoring a new code base. This means you get to actually learn how to intake an actual code base, not just make small personal projects. Learning a new code base is a very particular skill and getting the practice it was essential. Plus, the contracts on your resume really make you stand out to interviewers.
I can't recommend Rithm enough. Best decision I've made!
-
Allie
Hands down best choice I could have made
Read more Read less of Allie's review
I attended Rithm School from Nov 2017 – Feb 2018 and 3 weeks after graduating, I got an offer for a dream job. The small class sizes, the way that the material is taught and having an opportunity to work on production code is what makes a huge difference. If you’re considering Rithm and other bootcamps, read the rest of my review. My unique background may provide some useful comparison for you between Rithm and other bootcamps.
Background: I first started learning to code a little over a year ago. I studied hard on my own and I got accepted to two other coding bootcamps: Hack Reactor and Fullstack Academy. I had attended some of Rithm’s meetups and had a chance to meet the teachers but decided to go with Fullstack because of the cost. After doing Fullstack’s remote program for 3 weeks, I knew I had made the wrong decision. The teachers who taught there could code well, but they could not teach well. The coding exercises we were given for practice were partially coded out already and we would follow written instructions to add things to the code without knowing why we were doing it. There was not much time for questions and topics would go unexplained. It was confusing and I did not feel like I was getting much from copying and pasting from the instructions. After 3 weeks, I regretfully told them I was getting more confused with their program and was going to go back to studying on my own, where I could focus on conceptually understanding the topics instead of breezing over them.
I went to another meetup at Rithm and had a chance to talk to Elie. Elie is a brilliant teacher, one of the best I’ve come across in my life. He has a way of making the most complex topics easy to understand. Elie is one of those people who cares about you enough to help you achieve your fullest and I chose to apply to Rithm after speaking to him. He is a fantastic mentor who helped build my confidence in my coding abilities and has technical abilities unparalleled to any teacher I’ve met. Matt and Michael also deserve mention and are wonderful teachers. Matt is one of the most easily approachable and willing to help teachers I know and Michael has an endless supply of useful advice related to coding techniques and finding a job. The three of them together make up the experience you’d want from a bootcamp.
The classes at Rithm School are small (12-16 students) and the stacks that are taught are current and what the industry is looking for. The teachers care that students get the material and they patiently answer all the questions and explain topics until students get it. They are even willing to come in an hour early or stay late to give you individualized attention if you are still having trouble. Every bootcamp is such that you get what you put in. At Rithm, the teachers make themselves available to guide you and help you get the most out of the experience. I made a commitment to learn the material and worked on it every night and some weekends and I finished the bootcamp truly understanding every single topic that we had gone over, which is a rare occurrence with bootcamps.
After we had finished going through the curriculum, the last 4 weeks of the bootcamp were spent working on production code for real companies. This experience put me miles ahead of the other candidates in the search for a job. The other girl from the Bay Area who was in my cohort in Fullstack (July-Oct 2017) is still looking for a job 5 months later. I got a job doing what I love with wonderful benefits and a fantastic salary 3 weeks after graduating. Since we worked on projects for actual companies and could put that experience on our resumes, by the time I finished the bootcamp, I was already getting numerous calls from recruiters and companies that wanted to hire me. When analyzing bootcamp cost, do the math on what you’d earn as a software engineer multiplied by 4-6 months of a sooner hiring date and you’ll notice you make back Rithm’s tuition difference in less than a month and end up having extra. I wish someone had given me this advice when I was looking at bootcamps myself. Do yourself a favor and go with a school that can really teach you the material. You are setting up a strong foundation for the rest of your career and giving yourself the option to pick the job you want. I can’t say enough how much Rithm helped me get to where I am today and am forever grateful I made the decision to go with them.
-
Brian Harris
Incredible Experience
Read more Read less of Brian Harris's review
Full Disclosure: I had a little coding exprience before going to Rithm School. Nothing professional, though.
When choosing a school, I started out going for the big name. I passed the technical exam and was ready to sign up. Something made me hesitate, and I decided to go through with the on-site tour before sealing the deal. I'm so glad I did. It was a puppy mill for developers. It was obvious from the way they marketed, the one-instructor-per-64-students classrooms, and more. So I checked out Rithm School and it was perfect.
The most important aspect was that there were 3 instructors that were usually available at all times. They were great at teaching not just the "what" but the "why" of JavaScript. Class sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure you get enough 1:1 time, which seriously came in handy.
You'll also be taught the most current and relevant languages and frameworks. Not some aging dinosaur language that's on its way out.
Another outstanding aspect of Rithm is that the final several weeks are spent working on real projects, with real teams. You get experience with real git flow, writing production-level code. The importance of these few weeks cannot be overstated.
I cannot speak to their upcoming job search assistance program (not sure what it's called) as it didn't exist when I went through. I went to a separate school for that. Since it was Rithm that set me up with that school, they get a 5*. I'm sure their on-site job assistance program will be just as awesome.
So did Rithm prepare me for the job market? I start my new career on Monday, with a big name in social media!
Rithm is an incredible experience, and any would-be web developer should consider attending. I did not get paid to say that. But I'll totally accept bribes to make the review even better *ahem* *ahem*
-
Dan
I would do it again in a heartbeat
Read more Read less of Dan's review
After investing my time, energy, and money at Rithm, I now have the job I was hoping to get at a salary in excess of my expectations.
I chose Rithm after finding a javascript meetup that they were hosting and realized that their ciriculum was designed just for me. It was so much easier to learn from them than anywhere else I looked. That doesn't mean it's always easy: it can be intesnse and hard. That said, they really know what they're doing.
-
Amanda
Would definitely choose them again
Great instructors, small, lots of attention, real community feel. I think they did an excellent job in preparing me with the concepts and technology I need to understand in order to begin my career. Being a small school, I had amazing access to them - and the instructors really cared. I spent many an off-hour getting extra help from them.
-
Tobi Ogunnaike
Best bootcamp in SF for 4 reasons
Read more Read less of Tobi Ogunnaike's review
I'm a graduate of Rithm School's 3rd cohort. Having done a lot of research about bootcamps before I decided to attend one, I'm convinced that Rithm School is either the best or at least at the same level as the best programs in the city. And I would wholeheartedly recommend Rithm School to anyone considering learning full-stack web development in SF.
Here are my top 4 reasons why I think so:
1. Company projects -
As far as I am aware, there is no other bootcamp that offers all graduates the opportunity to work on two full-stack, real-world projects that for external companies. This is a huge deal and something that I did not initially fully internalize. It's incredibly rewarding to be able to learn the fundamentals of web development whilst building personal web apps or small fun projects but it's even more remarkable when you can see the results of your efforts being applied to a real-world problem faced by an existing company. It's just a higher level of accountability and responsibility. You might even get the chance to interact with external developers and designers . But crucuially, this is something that recruiters will love to hear.
Once you've had some experience working on external company projects then recruiters would be more likely to think of you as a developer who can produce tangible results for their company.
2. Small class sizes
Rithm School is committed to never having class sizes greater than 15 or 16 and given they currently have 3 instructors, this works out to be roughly 5 students per instuctor. This is significantly better than all other bootcamps that I'm personally aware of. This personal touch means that you will be heard more often and you can overcome annoying stumbling blocks quicker and because each instructor has a a different background, you can often get different perspectives for solving challenging problems.
3. Curriculum + Warm ups -
Rithm school teaches fullstack JavaScript as well as Python. Crucically, they spend a lot of time ensuring that you develop your skills mastering the fundamentals of the language (JavaScript or Python) before you get to work with frameworks or technologies (React, Redux, Flask etc.). One reason for this is that web development is a rapidly changing field and there will be new hot frameworks in the future that will be released. But if you know the basics of the language then you can always learn the new frameworks that will inevitably be created.
Every morning at Rithm, you are given 1hour to solve a tightly-scoped technical problem. These are called warm ups. After the hour, students as well as an instructor debrief and discuss different approaches to solving this problem. I found it really useful to analyse different approaches to solving problems. This foundational training was ultimately invaluable for me when I started to work on whiteboarding problems and technical screens whilst I was interviewing!
4. The instructors
It was refreshing to be taught by developers who clearly enjoy teaching. Moreover, all students are encouraged to raise their hands to ask questions as much as possible. If asking a question in a class full of 10 people is not your style, then you can always Slack one of the instructors for 1-on-1 explanations or reviews. Furthermore, Rithm often runs part-time classes on Saturdays so if you need some additional review, then you're welcome to attend a Saturday class or meet one of the instructors during breaks.
Like any program, you will get out what you put in but the instructors are really invested in ensuring that you are more supported throughtout the course.Overall, Rithm School provided a fantastic foundation for me enter the world of software engineering. And I'm excited to be taking those skills onto my next job at Pinterest.
I'm happy to provide more info as an alumni so feel free to reach me on LinkedIn/Twitter if you have any more questions!
-
Julia
I highly recommend Rithm! Great instructors & environment to get you career-ready...
Read more Read less of Julia's review
I was part of Rithm’s third cohort, completing both the 6-week part-time and 13-week full-time programs. Prior to deciding to join the third cohort, I also attended a large number of Rithm’s free coding workshops.
My experience was fantastic, and I would highly recommend Rithm to anyone looking to learn more about coding and get career-ready for a job as a software engineer. Thanks to the program and all that I learned (in addition to a lot of hard work), I transitioned from a career in a completely different industry and achieved my goal of becoming a software engineer in SF!
Here are some highlights:
1) The instructors are amazing! The instructors (Elie, Matt, and Tim) are not only passionate about what they do, but they also truly care about the students and go above and beyond to help you learn. Their energy and enthusiasm comes through while they are teaching, and they explain things in a way that is very easy to understand. I always felt comfortable to ask questions, and the instructors are super knowledgeable and will support, as well as guide, you to be the best you can.
2) The class sizes are small, & it’s a great environment! One thing that really sets Rithm apart from other bootcamps is the instructor-to-student ratio, which in our class was 1:3 (i.e., 3 instructors for 9 students). Our cohort learned a ton but also had fun doing so. My experience included lots of laughing, making friends with my classmates, and fun events hosted by Rithm (like Fourth Fridays pizza social).
3) Rithm ensures you are career-ready for a job as a software engineer (e.g., through company projects)! The quality of instruction and projects during the program is top-notch, and in an industry that is ever-changing, the instructors ensure that the curriculum is up-to-date and relevant. But, one thing that makes Rithm amazing is the opportunity to apply your learning and gain invaluable real-world software engineering experience through working in teams on projects for actual companies in the final stage of the program.
If you are considering Rithm, check out their free online-content and/or attend one of their free coding workshops. Originally I was planning to only do self-study and not go to a coding school, but after testing the waters and exploring some of Rithm’s free events and curriculum, I was hooked! I am so grateful for Rithm and how much I’ve been able to learn in such a short amount of time, while having a good experience doing so.
-
Brian Lee
Part-Time Course Review
Read more Read less of Brian Lee's review
I am a Product Manager who came to Rithm School looking to improve my technical skills. Originally, I came considered doing a full-time bootcamp. If I did decide on that route, Rithm would be one of my top choices.
The instructors are very knowledgeable about programming and are very patient with students such as myself who are not originally wired to think the way most developers do. The support I received outside of class definitely enriched my learning experience. I appreciate the instructors' teaching style where they would ask questions, so that I can work my way to the answer. This is more conducive to my learning than just giving me the answer.
The curriculum also changes based on the feedback of the students. If we wanted to spend more time on a particular topic, the instructors would adjust their lesson plan for the day. -
Arthur
I came for the free food, and stayed for the full-time course
Read more Read less of Arthur's review
I was fortunate enough to attend the full-time web development course at Rithm School as a part of their third cohort. I can say, with full confidence, that this was one of the best learning experiences that I've had to date. And here's why.
Learning how to learn
At Rithm, I learnt a whole slew of programming languages (Javascript, Python, Ruby) and their corresponding libraries and frameworks. But the most important skill that I learnt at Rithm was learning how to learn. Bare with me, this concept takes a while to explain.
If you haven't done any programming in the past, you will find out that it's exceptionally difficult to learn a new programming language. In addition to this, you will have to learn how to use libraries and frameworks to make life easier when you're developing an app. Rithm's curriculum makes it much easier to pick up languages because it challenges you to think about how the language works under the hood (e.g. 'what does the "reduce" function actually do') and why it works that way. This is drilled into you in the first month of the program (along with how to debug properly) and by the end of it, I was confident enough to pick up languages, libraries and frameworks in my own time and learn them without any assistance.
Smaller class sizes
Rithm has a policy of keeping class sizes small so that there are enough instructors to help out students at all times. My cohort had 10 students and the difference was noticeable. I had heard horror stories of students at other boot camps needing to submit support requests online and having to wait for a long while before any help was given. That's not the case at Rithm. If you're stuck you can walk up to an instructor and ask for help and guidance at any time.
Company projects
Nothing is learnt well unless it is applied. This rings true for programming. You can learn how to program by yourself and build your own projects but that doesn't prepare you for the reality of working at a company. That's where Rithm's company projects come in to bridged that gap. Not only will you be working with seasoned software engineers at companies, you will also be tasked with making design/structure decisions as well as planning and executing certain workflows for the company projects.
I personally found that working on these projects helped me discover and evaluate what type of software engineer I wanted to be and the types of workflows that I enjoyed in software development. This helped shaped my career aspirations and goals.
Great mentors
Elie, Matt and Tim are some of the best instructors that you will come across. They explain and demonstrate concepts well and take time out to ensure that information is properly absorbed before moving on. In addition, they are extremely dedicated to keeping the curriculum up-to-date to ensure that you are learning the most relevant material.
All in all, you can't go wrong if you choose Rithm. Yes, the price is a bit steep in comparison to most other boot camps but the quality of instruction that you will receive is unparalleled.
-
Katie K
An overwhelmingly positive experience
Read more Read less of Katie K's review
I attended Rithm as part of its third cohort, and I am so glad I did. I landed a great job offer within a month of graduating! It's amazing to me how fast I was able to make such a big pivot in my career.
I also applied to and was accepted at Hackbright, which has an excellent reputation, but several key differences led me to choose Rithm.
Small class sizes
Rithm classes are capped at about 12-16 students per class. My cohort had 10 students, and there were 3 instructors (though they've recently added a 4th). That ratio was incredible. I almost never had to wait to get an answer to a question. I could (and did) raise my hand and ask any question I had during lectures. And there was only one cohort at a time, so we really were a small and tight-knit group. I worried I would feel lost in the crowd at one of the bigger schools that is pushing several (much larger) cohorts through at the same time. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable the small class size was.
Excellent instructors
When I decided to attend Rithm, it felt like a bit of a gamble since there weren't really any "outcomes" or reviews to report yet - their second cohort was still in session. But I knew from poking around online that the instructors had all taught at other bootcamps in the past and had outstanding reviews. I also went to one of Rithm's many free lectures (a 6-hour JavaScript clas on a Saturday - totally free!) and had the opportunity to meet and learn from Elie, one of the cofounders and instructors. He really is such an incredible teacher, and that helped seal the deal for me. The instructors were not only incredibly smart but also incredibly kind and patient. Their lectures were well prepared and entertaining. Because of the excellent instructors and the small class sizes, I feel I was able to learn and understand better than I would have in a different environment.
Substantial prework
Rithm requires around 100 hours of prework before day 1 of the class. I really valued that because I felt it meant we would hit the ground running and be able to get further in our 13 weeks than we would have without the prework. And I was right! And they were available to answer questions in the weeks leading up to our class. Combine this with the fact that their program is a bit on the longer side (13 weeks compared to 10 weeks at Hackbright), and I feel like I got so much additional value.
Company projects
One of the biggest differentiators of Rithm is the fact that students work on two company projects in addition to the more standard solo project that most bootcamps require. These two company projects were not only great learning opportunities, but they were also incredibly valuable during my job search. They gave me real-world experience that potential employers really valued.
Great content available online for free
Rithm also has so much great content online for free. I still refer back to it, and I find it incredibly clear and easy to understand compared to a lot of the information out there.
Outco - job search support
Rithm partners with a great job search support program aimed specifically at software engineers called Outco. Check out their Yelp reviews - they are outstanding. Let's face it, the job search sucks, especially in software. But Outco helped me get my resume in great shape in just a few days, gave me lots of practice with the advanced data structures and algorithms commonly asked about in interviews, and gave me a bunch of nontechnical advice that helped me feel better prepared for phone screens and more. It is a 5 week program immediately after Rithm, and it was a super valuable addition. I got tons of traction, and I landed my first job offer before finishing Outco. (Experiences will of course vary; I have a STEM background, which goes a long ways.)
Short commute
For me, it was a much easier location to get to than most of the other bootcamps in the city. So, that was icing on the cake.
------------------
Summary
Overall, I can't recommend Rithm highly enough. If you're at all curious, I highly recommend checking out one of their free evening classes or poking around their online content. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
-
Generosa Litton
Part-Time Java Script Course
Read more Read less of Generosa Litton's review
I just completed Rithm School's part time JavaScript course. It was a great experience particularly because the instructors always provided some challenging exercises to work on. They go beyond the basic 'JavaScript for front-end type of thing' and get you to do algorithms and other types of exercises that is more common for backend engineers. Even though I am not in Rithm School's bootcamp, they are still open to answer any questions. They are my teachers for life!
-
Mark S
Amazing Staff
Read more Read less of Mark S's review
I took the Rithm School part-time JavaScript intermediate course. It is a six week (one day a week) course that goes over basic JavaScript (primitives, objects, arrays, etc.) foundations all the way up to advance topics such as recursion, the keyword 'this' (a confusing topic before taking this class), prototype, DOM Manipulation etc. The instructors Elie, Matt and Tim (experienced professional developers and teachers) are not only passionate about teaching but are amazing at breaking down difficult topics (ie: closure, bind, apply etc.) with ease and disseminating those topics in a digestible manner. If you are thinking of attending, I would advise you attend one of their meetups taught by them. The curriculum and instruction persuaded me to apply/interview for their full-time July cohort, I can't wait to start. Do yourself a favor and checkout the free courses on their website.
-
Aric Liesenfelt
Best decision I've ever made
Read more Read less of Aric Liesenfelt's review
Hi.
My name is Aric, and I graduated from Rithm 2 weeks ago.
As a 19 year old freshman majoring in Computer Science at Azusa Pacific University, I discovered that the higher education system was not for me. I quickly lost interest in my classes because quite frankly, I didn't care about what they had to offer. I wanted to go to school to learn how to code, not spend 60% of my time on Gen Eds.
Needless to say, I didn't take college seriously at all and began looking into bootcamps. At first, my goal was to go to Hack Reactor due to the flashy outcomes statistics, credibility, and overall star power that they have as a bootcamp. Everything went as planned, and I ended up getting into Hack Reactor, as well as Dev Bootcamp and Galvanize(my two backup plans).
I was feeling great, but as soon as I got in contact with these bootcamps my optimism began to fade. They seemed pushy, like they just wanted me to sign the papers and take my money, and it didn't seem like they cared about my best interest as a student. Hack Reactor was calling me almost every other day to check on the status of my decision, and when I asked more questions about the program, the admissions people were not able to answer them or fulfill my request to speak to an instructor who could.
I decided to dig around a little more online, and that's when I found Rithm. It seemed too good to be true, the small class size, experienced instructors, and amazing outcomes program through Outco. It was everything I wanted in a bootcamp, but I was unsure because Rithm was brand new at the time.
My uncertainty began to fade after my first phone call with Elie. Elie seemed like a nice guy, and he was able to answer all the questions I had about the program. I was amazed that after my previous struggles, I was able to get directly on the phone with a Lead Instructor. We scheduled a technical interview, and after the technical interview I was feeling even better. It was much more involved than the one I had done with Hack Reactor, and the fact that the Lead Instructors do the interviews shows that they really care about the quality of the students that are getting into the program. This was also my first taste of what it's like to be taught by Elie, as the interview has some pairing involved if you get caught up on a problem or can't think of a method.
When I got accepted to Rithm, I had already made the decision that it was my top choice, and I'm so glad things turned out the way they did. My time at Rithm exceeded my expectations. The small class size makes it so that it's kind of like a hybrid between a classroom experience and a mentorship, and whenever lectures weren't going on I was able to get 1 on 1 time with one of the instructors. Not to mention, these guys are the best teachers I've ever had, hands down. They all have years of experience, and it really shows through their extensive knowledge of computer science and web deveopment.
I was worried before the bootcamp that I would struggle, as I heard it can be a very difficult experience, but even though it was challenging these guys made it easily digestible by breaking down complex topics and explaining them using more 'human' terminology. Even when I didn't completely understand a new topic, I was able to go through the curriculum on my own and figure things out, or get 1 on 1 help. This was the first time in my life that I really felt challenged by education, and I fed off of the challenge and friendly competition that the bootcamp environment provides. The instructors really pushed me to become the best version of myself.
I have now built multiple Full-Stack web applications that I am extremely proud of, and I have no doubt in my mind that as I enter into Outco I will land a job and be able to contribute to a team in a big way.
Overall, choosing Rithm was the best decision of my life, and I would do things again the same way given the opportunity.
https://aricwl.github.io/Portfolio-Site/
Above is my personal site, from there you can find my email, Github, and LinkedIn. Feel free to email me any specific questions you have for someone who has already gone through the program, and I will answer them as honestly as I can.
Best,
Aric
-
Ian
Great Staff
Great place, I know Ellie as an instructor from a previous bootcamp and he is great at making sometimes dry topics live and engaging. Highly recommended.
-
He Kun Song
Solid Staff
Best group of instructors that I have had the privilege of learning from. Their responsive teaching style caters to novices as well as experienced students. The best part is how well they prepare you for the job market. I was already working at my new job the Monday after graduation!
-
Andrew
A fantastic instruction team!
Read more Read less of Andrew's review
I'm a former student of Elie, Matt and Tim and these guys are the real deal. They have a great combination of instructional and professional experience in software development and truly demonstrate compassion for every student they interact with.
Given the small class size, receiving personalized instruction from this team will give any software developer the building blocks to a successful career!