Get Into GA: A Complete Guide to General Assembly Bootcamp’s Admissions Process

It’s almost impossible to talk about coding bootcamps without mentioning General Assembly. Founded in 2011, General Assembly is known as a pioneer in short-term, immersive tech education. Today, General Assembly offers comprehensive training to prepare learners to make a career in software engineering, data science, data analytics, or UX design.

General Assembly welcomes everyone, regardless of tech knowledge or experience. However, if you think getting into General Assembly is a piece of cake, think again. Less than half of applicants get through the bootcamp’s admissions process. If you want to be one of them, you’ve come to the right place.

5 Steps to Succeed in General Assembly’s Admissions Process

To gain access to General Assembly’s high-quality skills training programs, you’ll first need to go through a five-step process. We tell you all about each step below:

Step 1: Find the Right Immersive Bootcamp Program for You

General Assembly offers immersive programs tailored to specific career paths in tech. You can choose from the following programs:

• Software Engineering
• Data Science
• Data Analytics
• UX Design

There are many ways you can figure this out. One way is to complete the career change quiz or read the career changers guide.

Step 2: Choose How You Want to Learn

Imagine how much easier it would be to learn new skills if you no longer had to adjust your schedule to rigid learning formats. General Assembly’s immersive programs cater to various learning needs with flexible options like full-time and part-time bootcamps, as well as on-campus (in New York City only) and live online classes.

Materials and resources in different formats are also available for all types of learners. Get ready to take your career to the next level while following a schedule that works for you!

Step 3: Consult With General Assembly’s Admissions Team

You don’t have to navigate this confusing process alone. General Assembly’s admissions team is ready to guide you with invaluable insights about the bootcamp.

“Our job is to interview applicants, get to know them during the discovery call, and help them understand that they can make a career transition even without any tech history,” shares Joseph Wetherington, an Admissions Advisor at General Assembly.

During the discovery call, your advisor will ask you questions to understand two crucial things about you: where you’re coming from and where you hope to go.

Some of the most common questions that the GA Admissions Advisor can help you with are:

• Is a bootcamp worth it?
• What can I expect after graduation?
• How is GA different from self-learning?
• Can I really learn tech skills in three months?

“We work with the applicants all the way from admissions to the enrollment process until we pass them off to their Student Success Advisor, instructors, and Career Coaches.”

Step 4: Assess Your Financing Options and Submit Your Application

So, you’ve picked a course. Now, it’s time to figure out how you can finance your education. If money is a concern, you’re not alone. Wetherington says it’s one of the biggest obstacles among prospective General Assembly students. “But don’t think that money is going to stop you. We will do our absolute best to help you find a solution or plan,” Wetherington shares.

Currently, General Assembly offers the following financing and payment options:

• Upfront payment
• Installment payment plan
• 0% interest loan
• Income share agreement (ISA)
• Tuition discounts

“I’ve worked with students that honestly just needed to work on their credit score,” says Wetherington. He cites one applicant he worked for six months who had a low credit score. After a few months, she managed to improve it significantly and qualified for a six-month deferment loan.

“She actually just finished the Data Analytics Bootcamp,” Wetherington continues. “Now, she just has to focus on getting a job. In the meantime, she still has three months before she has to pay it back.”

Step 5: Complete the Admissions Assessment

Once you figure out your financials and submit your application, it’s time to take the admissions assessment. This test is meant to gauge your readiness to dive headfirst into a fast-paced and immersive learning experience.

Fortunately, the test is not as technically-demanding as some candidates fear. It is designed for beginners and follows an open-book structure, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll be tested on. General Assembly even suggests resources you can use to prepare.

If you’re applying for the Software Engineering Immersive, for instance, you’ll be tested on fundamental HTML, CSS, and JavaScript programming. You will have to use these tools to build basic websites. Those interested in the UX design program can expect to complete some user research tasks.

If you’re an aspiring data analyst, make sure you are comfortable using Excel and Google Sheets for basic analysis before you take the test. Likewise, those trying to get into the Data Science Immersive should expect to be tested on Python and math skills.

Assuming you pass the admissions assessment, you’ll need to complete the pre-course work, which, according to Wetherington, is meant to reinforce the skills that the student will be focusing on when classes start. Pre-course work is typically completed a week before the start date.

On average, the entire admissions process takes three to four weeks, although applicants with some tech background or knowledge can get it done in two to three weeks. This is plenty of time to figure out how you want to pay for your program, as well as prepare for the admissions assessment and the interview.

Insider Tips for Acing Your Bootcamp Application

Below are some handy tips from Wetherington on how you can maximize your chances of getting into General Assembly.

Take Advantage of General Assembly’s Free Learning Resources

If you are still having doubts about whether General Assembly is for you, Wetherington recommends attending an info session. During these sessions, the admissions team will walk you through the bootcamp’s curriculum and answer all your questions.

In addition, General Assembly puts at your disposal the resources to build the necessary skills and confidence to pass the admissions process. For example, you can join a free General Assembly workshop or event to build your coding fundamentals. You can even use these events to prepare for your admissions assessment.

Trust the Process

Wetherington says the true test of whether an applicant is cut out for the bootcamp starts even before they take the technical assessment. The applicant has to prove that they are in for the long haul.

“When I do a follow-up call with an applicant, I want to see if they’ve completed the free courses I recommended. That’s a big part of the evaluation process. It’s not just about them being ready. It’s also about whether they do what they said they’ll do.”

Wetherington explains that the purpose is not to put anyone down. Rather, it is about making sure, even before the assessment, that the applicant has strong time management skills, is dedicated, and is capable of following through and meeting deadlines.

Wetherington adds, “Making a career change essentially means you’re building a brand new skillset. So we want to make sure you’re ready.”

Invest In Your New Tech Career

General Assembly’s admissions process is not meant to be difficult, insists Wetherington. “It’s all about finding a good fit. It’s about that second call,” he says, adding that if an applicant didn’t enjoy the free introductory classes that were recommended, he will have them try out free courses on other disciplines or check specific YouTube videos.

Wetherington explains that, in fact, a big part of the admissions process is the second or third call, where applicants really show if they want to join the bootcamp and if they are ready for its demands. “If you are ready, then we’re going to support you throughout that process,” he adds.

Are you ready? Check out General Assembly’s programs here to familiarize yourself with what they have to offer. Or book a call and receive custom advice straight from General Assembly’s admissions team!