Cracking the Code School Interview: Hack Reactor

Table of Contents

• Hack Reactor Application Steps
• Inside the Hack Reactor Coding Challenge
• Beginners vs Experienced Coders
• What Hack Reactor Admissions Looks For

Hack Reactor by Galvanize offers two coding bootcamps: one for beginners and one for those with intermediate coding skills. The admissions team from Hack Reactor gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the school’s application and overall admissions process. Here they explain how the two programs have distinct admissions processes, including everything you’ll need to know to prepare for both. Plus, find out how many times you can apply, international student admissions, and more! 

Hack Reactor Application Steps

How long does the Hack Reactor application typically take?

If you’re looking to become a software engineer, we have two coding bootcamps with two separate admissions processes. That said, the first two steps you’ll need to take are the same, no matter which Hack Reactor program you’re applying to:

1. All Hack Reactor applicants need to complete and pass a Non-Technical Admissions Assessment that includes the 15-minute Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test and a 1-minute typing test. The CCAT is a proven, scientifically validated aptitude test that measures an individual’s ability to solve problems, digest and apply information, learn new skills, and think critically.
2. After that, all Hack Reactor applicants can complete their application, which is the same for both programs and takes between 10-20 minutes. You’ll answer questions about your background and professional goals. 

What are the high-level steps that applicants should expect?

After both the Non-Technical Admissions Assessment and the application are complete, we encourage all applicants to attend an info session about their program of interest, if they haven’t done so already.

During the info session, you’ll hear directly from our team about all program details, and you’ll be able to ask questions live. 

After that, the admissions process varies by program. 

For beginners: Your next and final step will be to schedule a 15-minute non-technical interview. This interview helps us get to know you a bit better. We’re looking for students who can demonstrate a passion for a new career in software engineering, who can work independently and also collaborate with others, and who can talk about their commitment to the bootcamp.

For intermediate coders: We recommend that you complete our free self-paced Basic Prep course to help you build or refresh your foundational JavaScript skills. In particular, it’s helpful to complete Basic Prep through Module 2 before the coding challenge and Module 3 before taking your TAA. Make sure you understand the concepts presented and how to apply them. Basic Prep is not required, but is recommended.

Next, intermediate program applicants will complete a: 

Coding challenge: Unlimited Attempts

You’ll address questions about the JavaScript building blocks: objects, arrays, functions, and variables.

Then, after completing your coding challenge, it’s time for the Technical Admissions Assessment (TAA).

Technical Admissions Assessment (TAA): Take up to 3 times
After you successfully complete the coding challenge, you’ll book your TAA, which evaluates your JavaScript fundamentals and fluency, collaborative problem-solving, and basic coding knowledge.

The TAA is an online assessment you’re required to pass before being accepted into the program. Each proctored TAA session is approximately 75 minutes long. Although up to twenty candidates may be participating, you'll be working on the assessment problems by yourself.

To better understand the TAA, including what it covers, how to schedule it, and more, read through our FAQs.

Inside the Hack Reactor Coding Challenge

Does everyone take the same coding challenge?

All Intermediate Coding Bootcamp applicants take the same coding challenge.

Beginner Coding Bootcamp applicants do not need to take a coding challenge.

Can you give us a sample question or two?

We don’t have sample questions to provide, but applicants will want to be familiar with the basic JavaScript building blocks: objects, arrays, functions, and variables. In Basic Prep, we recommend completing up through Module 2 for coding challenge readiness.

How long should it take to complete the coding challenge? Is there a time limit?

There is no time limit. A coder with some comfort with JavaScript concepts can usually finish in around 20 minutes or less, though times fluctuate. 

Can an applicant complete the coding challenge in any programming language or does it have to be in JavaScript?

Only JavaScript. There are a number of unique syntactic elements of JavaScript, so other languages don’t necessarily “translate” well. Because of our focus on JavaScript in the Intermediate program, we want students to show they can work with JavaScript logic.

Beginners vs Experienced Coders

What is your advice for a total coding newbie who wants to enroll at Hack Reactor at how to get into the program?

We welcome all coding newbies to apply to our Beginner Coding Bootcamp, designed specifically for those with little to no coding experience.

What is your advice for an applicant with some coding experience who is considering enrolling at Hack Reactor?

We advise those with intermediate coding experience to apply to our Intermediate Coding Bootcamp, which requires a coding challenge and a Technical Admissions Assessment for admission. To understand the differences between our two programs (Beginner vs. Intermediate), and to determine which program is best for you, please read this program comparison post, which details things like curriculum, pace of program, and more.

How should a beginner prepare for the admissions assessment challenge?

Coding beginners should look into our Beginner Coding Bootcamp, designed specifically for beginners. For this program, there is no technical admissions assessment, but we do require a Non-Technical Assessment that includes the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) and a typing test. Additionally, all beginner program applicants must complete a 15-minute non-technical interview.

Learn more about the CCAT here, and more about the beginner admissions interview here.

What goes into the online written application? Does Hack Reactor require a video submission?

The online application for both of our programs is the same and consists of questions about your background and professional goals. You can fill this out in the application portal and it will take between 10-20 minutes. There is no video submission required. 

What Hack Reactor Admissions Looks For

How do you evaluate an applicant’s future potential? What qualities are you looking for?

In terms of technical skills, we have no requirements for our beginner program. Truly starting from scratch, you may wonder if coding is a good fit for you. We asked our beginner program instructors to rank the top 10 signs that someone will enjoy programming. Check them out here as a way to get started. 

Our intermediate program, however, requires intermediate JavaScript coding skills, which we’ll test for through our coding challenge and Technical Admissions Assessment. 

In terms of soft skills, we want all Hack Reactor applicants, regardless of program, to think through the following, which will help you prepare to get the most out of the bootcamp experience: 

Attitude and approach

• You’re excited to embark on a challenging and rewarding journey toward a new career.
• You’re interested in and have researched what it means to be a professional software engineer.
• You’re ready to work incredibly hard on an individual level and to collaborate with your classmates in ways that mirror professional environments.
• You know when to ask for help, and you’re open to accepting it from your instructors, classmates, and career advisors.

Logistics

• You can show up on time and participate in each class session. 
• You understand this course is live and online and will require a computer, a reliable WiFi connection, being on camera during class sessions, and a quiet place to work.
• You’ve read through our tuition options and understand your best route forward.
• You have a plan for how to cover living expenses while in the program.

Do you have different student requirements for your different programs?

Yes. Our beginner program and our intermediate program have separate admissions processes. Explore both processes here.

Are students accepted on a rolling basis?

Yes.

What is the current acceptance rate at Hack Reactor? 

The acceptance rate varies by program based on admissions process, but overall, it’s not as important to us as ensuring that every incoming student accepted into our Beginner or Intermediate Coding Bootcamps feels confident, prepared, and equipped to learn on day 1.

No matter which program you’re interested in, it’s important that: 

• You’re excited to embark on a challenging and rewarding journey toward a new career. - You’re interested in and have researched what it means to be a professional software engineer.
• You’re ready to work incredibly hard on an individual level and to collaborate with your classmates in ways that mirror professional environments.
• You know when to ask for help, and you’re open to accepting it from your instructors, classmates, and career advisors.

What types of backgrounds have successful Hack Reactor students had? Does everyone come from a technical background?

Graduates from both of our programs come from a very wide variety of cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds. We pride ourselves on being able to provide a path toward career transformation for anyone with the desire to make the change.

Our Intermediate Coding bootcamp requires some coding experience, while our Beginner program does not, which allows even more space for those coming from non-technical fields of career or study. 

Does Hack Reactor accept international students? Can international students get student visas/tourist visas to do the program?

Yes, though we are not able to sponsor student visas. All of our programs are offered live online, so you can attend classes from wherever you are. We’re proud to accept applications and welcome students from all over the world into our programs and look forward to continuing to do so.

Can rejected applicants reapply? If so, how many times?

Yes, and here are the details based on program:

Beginner: Those who do not pass the non-technical interview will need to wait 6 months before scheduling another attempt.

Intermediate: In general, you may only attempt the TAA a maximum of 3 times and you are required to wait at least 2 weeks between attempts. 

What kinds of jobs do Hack Reactor grads typically land? What starting salaries do they see?

Our graduates are working across industries as Software Engineers, Software Developers, and under many more related job titles. For average salary information for our intermediate program graduates, please look at our latest Outcomes report.

What kinds of roles do you anticipate future Hack Reactor graduates being able to land?

We anticipate that graduates of both of our programs will continue to find success across this growing field of software engineering. We’re proud to be part of their exciting journeys. 

Are there any scholarships available to Hack Reactor applicants? 

Yes, we offer two full-tuition coding bootcamp scholarships on a rolling basis. These scholarships seek to create new paths into tech for more students. Explore our offerings as you create a financial plan for your coding bootcamp.

Find out more and read Hack Reactor by Galvanize reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Hack Reactor by Galvanize.