Hack Reactor by Galvanize

Explore Common Hack Reactor Questions

Hack Reactor Courses

Does Hack Reactor Offer Prep Courses?

Yes, there is a Hack Reactor prep course. The prep program prepares students for the intermediate bootcamp. It is a self-paced class that students can take for free. It focuses mostly on JavaScript.

What Courses Are Offered at Hack Reactor?

Hack Reactor offers two beginner coding bootcamps and one intermediate coding bootcamp. The full-time beginner coding bootcamps lays the emphasis on JavaScript and Python. The other beginner bootcamp, the part-time option, is all about JavaScript and TypeScript.

The intermediate coding bootcamp, on the other hand, has a comprehensive software engineering curriculum that covers JavaScript, React, SQL, and MongoDB, among many other topics.

In addition, Hack Reactor offers a prep course. This is a free class designed to help students who want to join the intermediate bootcamp. This school also has a program aimed exclusively at active duty service members, Operation Level Up, focused on software engineering and web development.

What Types of Programs Are Available at Hack Reactor?

There are both full-time and part-time Hack Reactor programs, all of them offered online. During a bootcamp, students will engage with lectures, live coding challenges, and partner programming exercises.

Does Hack Reactor Offer Free Courses?

Yes, Hack Reactor does offer free workshops and events. In addition, the school’s basic prep course is free for all applicants. Students can take advantage of these resources to enhance their coding skills.

What Projects Do Hack Reactor Students Work On?

Hack Reactor students work on a range of projects throughout their courses. For example, one student developed an app called QuickCart that allows shoppers to track their grocery budgets. It includes nutrition information, prices, and food recommendations.

Does Hack Reactor Offer Workshops?

Yes, there are Hack Reactor workshops, seminars, and events. The school offers free events for both beginners and intermediate coders. Currently, there are none scheduled for upcoming dates, but the school tells interested participants to check the website periodically for updates.

Is Hack Reactor Accredited?

No, Hack Reactor is not accredited. However, most bootcamp programs are not officially accredited because they do not offer degrees. That being said, the lack of accreditation seems to have little to no effect on graduates' job prospects, as the school has a job placement rate of over 78 percent.

Hack Reactor Admissions Process

What Is the Hack Reactor Admission Process?

The admissions process is slightly different for each bootcamp. However, all students, regardless of program, need to take an aptitude test that measures their problem-solving skills and ability to learn new skills. All prospective Hack Reactor students also need to complete an application that contains questions about their background and professional goals.

Students interested in the beginner coding bootcamps will have to sit for a non-technical interview that is done asynchronously as a recorded video. Part-time students will also have to take a Learning Readiness Test.

Those applying for the intermediate coding bootcamp will not have to do the behavioral interview or Learning Readiness Test. Instead, they will face a coding challenge and a technical assessment. The school recommends taking the Basic Prep class before attempting these exercises.

How Do I Prepare for Hack Reactor?

You can prepare for a Hack Reactor bootcamp by going through the prep course that the school provides. This prep course is designed for prospective students eying the intermediate bootcamp but can be taken by anyone. The school also offers specialized bootcamp prep courses for veteran students.

If you are interested in one of the beginner bootcamps, there is no need to undergo any preparation or training before the program begins.

How Do I Apply to Hack Reactor?

The admissions process for Hack Reactor differs depending on the program. However, all programs share the following steps:

1. Take a non-technical skills assessment. You will be asked to take a test that measures your critical thinking and ability to learn new skills.
2. Submit an application online. Select your preferred program on the school website. Then fill out an application form with your details, including your educational background, employment history, and other necessary information.
3. Enrollment agreement. You’ll receive an acceptance notice within two days and a Student Enrollment Agreement that is valid for seven days.
4. Program deposit. The program deposit secures your spot at the bootcamp. After you fill out the agreement, you must pay the deposit within three days of receiving the program deposit invoice. However, you can alert the admissions team if you wish to defer your payment.
5. Tuition payment. This is the final step of the admission process. You will select a financing option, and then you can look forward to your first day of classes.

In addition, students enrolling in a beginner bootcamp will have to sit for an asynchronous admissions interview. Those wishing to join the part-time beginner bootcamp will also have to take a Learning Readiness Test. This exam helps the school assess if you are ready for the demanding learning journey ahead.

Students interested in the intermediate program will face the following extra steps:

1. Pre-course work. The pre-course curriculum is mandatory for all new cohorts. It takes 90-120 hours and enhances your skills in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and other programming languages.
2. Complete a coding challenge. The coding test is a simple challenge to gauge your knowledge of JavaScript concepts. Once you succeed in the coding challenge, you will move to the next part of the assessment.
3. Technical assessment. The technical admission assessment requires you to solve a coding problem using JavaScript fundamentals. For example, you might need to explain how to use anonymous functions or troubleshoot different function problems. You can take the technical assessment up to three times.

What Hack Reactor Interview Questions Should I Expect?

Only students who apply for a beginner bootcamp will need to go through a Hack Reactor interview. The interview is non-technical, and an admissions representative might ask you interview questions about your career goals, why you are interested in software engineering, and how prepared you are for a demanding program. Common Hack Reactor interview questions include:

• Would you say you are passionate about coding?
• What plans have you made to create time for the rigorous curriculum?
• If you weren’t currently pursuing a career in coding, what else would you be doing?

What Is Hack Reactor’s Acceptance Rate?

Hack Reactor’s acceptance rate is 3 percent, making admission very competitive. Although the school does not require any coding experience, you need to demonstrate your commitment to a coding career during the application process. If you are applying for the intermediate bootcamp, you have to pass the coding challenge and technical assessment.

How Do I Get Accepted Into Hack Reactor?

To get accepted into Hack Reactor’s intermediate coding bootcamp, you must submit your application and pass the coding challenge and technical admission assessment. You can enroll in the prep course to get ready for these challenges.

On the other hand, if you are applying for a beginner coding bootcamp, you just need to pass the non-technical assessments and admissions interview. To do this, you simply need to demonstrate your commitment and ability to learn.

Is Hack Reactor Hard to Get Into?

The school has a low acceptance rate which indicates that admission is indeed hard. However, prospective students can get ready for the technical assessments by taking the prep course. Also, take into consideration that you will have three opportunities to pass the coding challenge.

Hack Reactor Payment Options

How Much Is Hack Reactor?

The price of a Hack Reactor bootcamp is $19,480. This is significantly more expensive than the average cost of a coding bootcamp, which according to our 2023 State of the Bootcamp Market report is $12,953. Enrollment into a Hack Reactor bootcamp also requires a $100 deposit.

Fortunately, the school offers several financing options for those who cannot afford the tuition out of pocket. Hack Reactor students can take advantage of deferred tuition by signing up for an income share agreement, take out a student loan with one of the school’s partner lenders, or apply for a scholarship, among other options.

How Can I Pay for Hack Reactor?

Although the price of a Hack Reactor bootcamp is above average, students have access to a considerable amount of flexible payment options to make it as easy as possible to finance their education. These are the different ways you can pay for a bootcamp at Hack Reactor.

• Upfront payment. The simplest way to pay for your Hack Reactor bootcamp. Sign up, pay the entire tuition at once, and complete your program without worrying about any more payments.
• Income share agreement. As one of the best deferred tuition bootcamps in the market, you can start your Hack Reactor bootcamp by paying only a $100 deposit. The rest of the tuition is not due until you graduate and land a job making $60,000 a year or more.
• Retail Installment Contract. Similar to an ISA but available only to students that reside in California and Washington.
• Loans. Another easy way to finance the price of a Hack Reactor bootcamp is to take out loans with the school’s partner lenders, Ascent and Climb.
• Split payment. Students have the option to pay half of the tuition on the first day of class and the rest during the program.
• Scholarships. There are two full scholarships Hack Reactor students can apply for. They both target groups underrepresented in tech.
• VET TEC. Veterans can finance the intermediate bootcamp and the Operation Level Up program through the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program. This makes Hack Reactor one of the best bootcamps for veterans.

Does Hack Reactor Offer Scholarships?

Yes, Hack Reactor offers several coding bootcamp scholarships. The main Hack Reactor scholarship is the We Stand Together scholarship. To be eligible, you must be a Black student who has passed the non-technical entrance exam and is applying for the 19-week Software Engineering with JavaScript and Python program. Up to three scholarships are given out for each cohort. The application process is as follows:

1. Apply for the 19-week software engineering program.
2. Apply for the We Stand Together scholarship by going to Hack Reactor’s scholarship page.
3. Continue the enrollment process as normal with the help of your assigned enrollment advisor.
4. The scholarship application will be reviewed within two weeks.
5. You will learn if you have been accepted for the scholarship one week before the start of your program.

There is also the Galvanize Scholarship, available to students applying for the beginner or intermediate coding bootcamp. This scholarship targets individuals who identify as belonging to a group historically underrepresented in tech, such as Black, LGBTQIA+, or persons with disabilities.

Does Hack Reactor Have a Refund Policy?

The Hack Reactor refund policy offers a prorated refund of tuition if you drop out from a bootcamp before the cutoff date. However, the $100 deposit is not refundable. In addition, if you separate from the program after the cutoff date, you are not entitled to any refund.

Students should also know that the refund policy will change from state to state. So, you should always consult your Student Enrollment Agreement for more information about the terms and conditions that apply to you.

Does Hack Reactor Offer a Job Guarantee?

No, Hack Reactor does not offer a job guarantee. However, the bootcamp has a competitive track record of successful job placements, with 78 percent of students getting a job within six months of graduating. You can also receive job assistance from competent career coaches through the coding bootcamp.

In addition, all the programs dedicate one week to career services, where students learn about job searches and how to launch a tech career. So far, there are over 2,000 companies that hire Hack Reactor graduates.

Hack Reactor Student Outcomes

How Much Do Hack Reactor Graduates Earn?

According to the school’s 2021 outcomes report, 85.1 percent of Hack Reactor graduates find an in-field job within six months of finishing their studies. They go on to earn a median wage of $100,000 per year, which is just below the average wage of a software developer as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not bad considering that this is their first tech job for many of these graduates.

What Companies Hire Hack Reactor Graduates?

Some companies that hire Hack Reactor graduates include Facebook, Linkedin, Google, PayPal, Apple, Amazon, Capital One, Microsoft, Visa, and Accenture. In addition, companies can sign on to become hiring partners of the school. Overall, there are more than 2,500 companies around the world that have hired graduates from this bootcamp.

Is Hack Reactor Worth It?

Yes, Hack Reactor is worth it if you are hoping to land a software engineering job. It is one of the leading coding bootcamps in the country. With an alumni community of over 12,000 students, the school continues to produce top-tier performers in the tech industry. This coding bootcamp is perfect for people seeking to enhance their technical skills or switch career paths.