You’ve made the decision to take action and start training for a career in high tech. Coding bootcamps are a great option for new techies and working folks, but how do you get started? Are coding bootcamps hard to get into? What should you expect during the program search and application process?
Taking the time to gather information before you start your education allows you to identify a program that suits you and helps you set yourself up for a lucrative and interesting career. With a little research, you’ll be more informed on your quest for a new profession.
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We’ve got the good stuff for you here. Our look at getting into bootcamp covers topics that concern many new techies. We will:
- Show you how to prepare for your training.
- Delve into the admissions process.
- Look at some of the most popular bootcamp fields.
- Get into school costs and ways you can pay for your time in class.
This article gives you details that we hope will ease your journey and clear your path towards a promising future and top pay.
How should I prepare for bootcamp?
Your time in coding bootcamp can open the door to fantastic gigs with up-and-coming companies. To make it into bootcamp and get the most out of your classroom time, though, it’s important to lay good groundwork. Take some time each day to work on coding before you start your application. Having about 40 hours of coding under your belt before you begin class helps ensure that you don’t waste time in bootcamp playing catch-up.
There are a number of ways to pick up some quality coding chops before you start checking out schools. You can find a number of outstanding free coding courses available online, for example. And YouTube is full of videos produced by industry pros that can help you learn programming; make the site your virtual classroom to develop your skills. Create a few independent projects, and your skills will blossom.
What’s the admissions process like?
Coding bootcamps generally require a lot of time and effort on your part and demand a significant investment of resources by the school for each student. Bootcamps have a vested interest in making the experience worthwhile to you. The majority of bootcamps we’ve come across make sure that every applicant goes through a rigorous onboarding to ensure that the applicant has both the technical abilities and the drive to make it through the program and obtain a valuable skill set through their participation.
Almost every school has you start the process by filling out an online form. Have your school and work history ready to go, and make sure to update any portfolios or projects you refer to on the application before you press “Submit.” Generally, an admissions counselor will then contact you to vet you. You’ll answer technical questions along with questions meant to assess your determination to complete the course. After you clear admissions, you will likely be able to select a cohort and decide how to pay for the program.
What programs are available?
Researching bootcamp programs can be intimidating, in part due to unfamiliar jargon and the sheer number of bootcamps. Which programs are popular, and which ones will prepare you for an in-demand tech field?
While the number of different bootcamps can overwhelm the new techie, a little research shows that there are a few programs that most schools offer, even if schools change the names a little bit to make their programs stand out from the rest.
Coding bootcamps aim to teach exactly that—coding. The programs instruct students in how to write programs by teaching them popular coding languages and showing them how the development cycle functions in a programmer’s world.
Coding education programs often focus on software engineering, back end development, or front end development. The curricula will differ depending on the program’s focus. Data science, engineering, and analysis are also hot fields, and UI/UX design programs are perfect for helping app designers prepare for future employment.
How much does bootcamp cost?
One big question is: how much do coding bootcamps cost? School is rarely cheap, and folks who already have trouble making ends meet while holding down full-time jobs may miss out on opportunities because of money concerns. There’s no need to let costs get in the way of a top-notch programming education, though.
Bootcamp tuition varies, but most programs charge between $6K and $15K. The price difference often comes down to amenities, so look to see what the program offers—do they include lodging, break rooms, snacks, or other goodies in the price of tuition? How are the school’s career services?
Once you decide which program works for you, it’s time to decide how to pay for the program. Upfront lump payments always work and often save you thousands of dollars. Many schools offer students the option to pay via regular (for example, monthly) payments. Alternatively, most schools partner with a lender (or lenders) to facilitate students paying with loan money. And, an increasing number of schools now offer deferred tuition plans that allow you to defer payments until after graduation.
Coding bootcamp can transform your life and prepare you for an amazing career, but it’s helpful to get the facts before you pick a program. We hope this examination of coding bootcamps helps you get your new professional life started.
