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For anyone seeking alternatives, $0 up-front cost software engineering bootcamps that I'm aware of: Learner’s Guild https://www.fastcoexist.com/3068200/when-th

For anyone seeking alternatives, $0 up-front cost software engineering bootcamps that I'm aware of: Learner’s Guild https://www.fastcoexist.com/3068200/when-this-entrepreneurs-thriving-business-lost-its-purpose-he-walked-away https://www.fastcoexist.com/3068200/when-this-entrepreneurs-... 42 (completely free) https://www.42.us.org/ https://www.42.us.org/ Holberton School https://www.holbertonschool.com/ https://www.holbertonschool.com/ Lambda Academy https://lambdaschool.com/computer-science https://lambdaschool.com/computer-science

sylvainkalache 9y ago
I am the co-founder of Holberton, happy to answer any question here. In a nutshell: we are training SWE using a project-based and peer-learning approach. No formal teachers, no lectures, students learn by practicing and collaborating with peers - pretty much like in the workplace. We haven't graduated any cohort yet (our program is 2 years long, but students can start working after 9 months) but have already students who intern/work at NASA, LinkedIn, Tesla, Apple, Dropbox, Nvidia, Docker, CreditKarma... Big difference between us and bootcamps: we are covering the fundamentals of CS + we are not focusing on teaching students specific tools but rather developing their critical thinking, problem-solving skills and guiding them on becoming self-learners. All good Software Engineers know that you must constantly learn to stay on top of your game, being about to retrain yourself is the most valuable skill that a professional should have to continue to grow career wise.
austenallred 9y ago
Hey, I'm the co-founder of Lambda Academy of Computer Science (https://LambdaSchool.com/computer-science https://LambdaSchool.com/computer-science. Also happy to answer any questions. We're not a bootcamp, but we are 100% free until you get a job, and have live instructors from UC Berkeley, NASA, etc. We have a very rigorous curriculum that is closest to an uber-practical CS degree, but there's not really a close proxy to it anywhere. We cover all the CS & programming fundamentals employers want you to understand, and get much closer to the metal, covering things like architecture/scaling, functional programming (hence the name), use compiled languages, etc. We're also online, so you don't have to move anywhere, but we're live and on a strict schedule, so it's not something you can do asynchronously.
- e12e 9y ago
  > We're also online, so you don't have to move anywhere, but we're live and on a strict schedule, so it's not something you can do asynchronously. Has that been a benefit in terms of graduates getting easier access to remote positions? (The fact that they've demonstrated the ability to work remotely through your course)? Do you work directly with potential employers, helping students get a foot in the door, or is that up to students themselves? If you do help out, do you "sell" the remote idea? Finally, are you open to non-US students?
  - austenallred 9y ago
    > Has that been a benefit in terms of graduates getting easier access to remote positions? I don't know that it's really come up much; generally we don't recommend a remote position for your first job, as you'll need a lot of hands-on training. It makes more sense as you become more senior. > Do you work directly with potential employers, helping students get a foot in the door, or is that up to students themselves? If you do help out, do you "sell" the remote idea? Yes, we work directly with potential employers, but again "remote" isn't the emphasis. > Finally, are you open to non-US students? We are, but unfortunately the "free-up-front" option is only available based on our income share agreement, which is only available to those authorized to work in the US.
mxschumacher 9y ago
42 student here. The school is 100% free as in no upfront cost and no later charge. The difficulty is to get in, one has to make it through a 26 day C heavy selection process and pass logic tests beforehand. The school is really meritocratic in the sense that formal background is irrelevant and financial assistance makes it accessible for almost everybody.
- taildrop 9y ago
  Provided you happen to be between the ages of 18 and 30.
  - mxschumacher 9y ago
    I have not found official info on this but there are programs for people above 30, I see them on campus every day.
    - taildrop 9y ago
      From their FAQ: I am not between the ages of 18 and 30. Can I come to 42? No. While we do not have anything against those who are over 30 years old, when opening a new location, we have decided to concentrate our where they can be the most efficient and where we have a great deal of experience.
Unbeliever69 9y ago
Would Viking Code School also make this list?
- eriktrautman 9y ago
  Founder of Viking here: Yes, we're the original online school to offer deferred tuition (have for almost 3 years). Basically, we are 100% online and offer an Immersive 12-week bootcamp that's very challenging to get into but comes with a deferred tuition option where you don't pay until you get a job (you even get your deposit back if you don't).
supernumerary 9y ago
Recurse Center

sylvainkalache 9y ago

I am the co-founder of Holberton, happy to answer any question here. In a nutshell: we are training SWE using a project-based and peer-learning approach. No formal teachers, no lectures, students learn by practicing and collaborating with peers - pretty much like in the workplace. We haven't graduated any cohort yet (our program is 2 years long, but students can start working after 9 months) but have already students who intern/work at NASA, LinkedIn, Tesla, Apple, Dropbox, Nvidia, Docker, CreditKarma... Big difference between us and bootcamps: we are covering the fundamentals of CS + we are not focusing on teaching students specific tools but rather developing their critical thinking, problem-solving skills and guiding them on becoming self-learners. All good Software Engineers know that you must constantly learn to stay on top of your game, being about to retrain yourself is the most valuable skill that a professional should have to continue to grow career wise.

austenallred 9y ago

Hey, I'm the co-founder of Lambda Academy of Computer Science (https://LambdaSchool.com/computer-science https://LambdaSchool.com/computer-science. Also happy to answer any questions. We're not a bootcamp, but we are 100% free until you get a job, and have live instructors from UC Berkeley, NASA, etc. We have a very rigorous curriculum that is closest to an uber-practical CS degree, but there's not really a close proxy to it anywhere. We cover all the CS & programming fundamentals employers want you to understand, and get much closer to the metal, covering things like architecture/scaling, functional programming (hence the name), use compiled languages, etc. We're also online, so you don't have to move anywhere, but we're live and on a strict schedule, so it's not something you can do asynchronously.

e12e 9y ago
> We're also online, so you don't have to move anywhere, but we're live and on a strict schedule, so it's not something you can do asynchronously. Has that been a benefit in terms of graduates getting easier access to remote positions? (The fact that they've demonstrated the ability to work remotely through your course)? Do you work directly with potential employers, helping students get a foot in the door, or is that up to students themselves? If you do help out, do you "sell" the remote idea? Finally, are you open to non-US students?
- austenallred 9y ago
  > Has that been a benefit in terms of graduates getting easier access to remote positions? I don't know that it's really come up much; generally we don't recommend a remote position for your first job, as you'll need a lot of hands-on training. It makes more sense as you become more senior. > Do you work directly with potential employers, helping students get a foot in the door, or is that up to students themselves? If you do help out, do you "sell" the remote idea? Yes, we work directly with potential employers, but again "remote" isn't the emphasis. > Finally, are you open to non-US students? We are, but unfortunately the "free-up-front" option is only available based on our income share agreement, which is only available to those authorized to work in the US.

mxschumacher 9y ago

42 student here. The school is 100% free as in no upfront cost and no later charge. The difficulty is to get in, one has to make it through a 26 day C heavy selection process and pass logic tests beforehand. The school is really meritocratic in the sense that formal background is irrelevant and financial assistance makes it accessible for almost everybody.

taildrop 9y ago
Provided you happen to be between the ages of 18 and 30.
- mxschumacher 9y ago
  I have not found official info on this but there are programs for people above 30, I see them on campus every day.
  - taildrop 9y ago
    From their FAQ: I am not between the ages of 18 and 30. Can I come to 42? No. While we do not have anything against those who are over 30 years old, when opening a new location, we have decided to concentrate our where they can be the most efficient and where we have a great deal of experience.

Unbeliever69 9y ago

Would Viking Code School also make this list?

eriktrautman 9y ago
Founder of Viking here: Yes, we're the original online school to offer deferred tuition (have for almost 3 years). Basically, we are 100% online and offer an Immersive 12-week bootcamp that's very challenging to get into but comes with a deferred tuition option where you don't pay until you get a job (you even get your deposit back if you don't).

supernumerary 9y ago

Recurse Center