Bloc is now Thinkful
As of 2/4/21, Bloc is now Thinkful; the curriculum and community will not change.
If you graduated from Bloc prior to Feb 4, 2021, please leave your review for Bloc. Otherwise, please leave your review for Thinkful.
To view updated and accurate information, please visit the Thinkful Course Report page.
Bloc is an online coding bootcamp that incorporates 1-on-1 mentorship to prepare each student for a career as a professional software engineer or UX/UI designer. Bloc's apprenticeship approach is tailored specifically to each student's learning needs. In the Web Developer Bootcamp, the curriculum is centered around frontend JavaScript and students can choose whether to learn Ruby on Rails or server-side JavaScript with Node. Bloc’s project-based curriculum is written by expert curriculum developers and vetted by their advisory board comprised of hiring managers. Students work with mentors 1-on-1 to clarify concepts, pair program, and build a portfolio of sites that will demonstrate job readiness as a professional software engineer. Not everyone can quit their job or move to a new city for a bootcamp, so Bloc has designed a comprehensive bootcamp with this in mind. Students can enroll full-time, or complete the program at a part-time pace. Bloc also offers 80 hours per week of real-time access to an experienced developer to answer any questions students may have.
No prior development experience is required to enroll in Bloc, but a strong desire to learn and take on challenges will be important in each student's success! Bloc has a 100% acceptance rate, but is looking for students who are driven, hard-working, and ready to learn.
Career readiness is important to Bloc- their flagship Track programs include job preparation material and career prep workshops. Mentors will help students put together a portfolio and prepare technical interview questions. When ready, students work with the Career Support team to navigate the job search process with an individualized game plan and exposure to Bloc's Employer Network.
I am currently halfway through the iOS development track and would definitely recommend enrolling in Bloc! I started out with basically no programming experience (besides doing various online exercises and videos over the past few years). I always had a desire and interest in learning to code, but didn't get far until I had the structure and mentorship that a Bloc program provides.
As others have said, it is critical that learning to program be something you are committed to and ...
I am currently halfway through the iOS development track and would definitely recommend enrolling in Bloc! I started out with basically no programming experience (besides doing various online exercises and videos over the past few years). I always had a desire and interest in learning to code, but didn't get far until I had the structure and mentorship that a Bloc program provides.
As others have said, it is critical that learning to program be something you are committed to and enjoy given the investment that this program will require (with both time and money). I have found that having a very tangible goal (such as getting a job or launching an app) to be a helpful motivator when you hit a tough patch.
Though there are a lot of resources for beginners available for free online, the Bloc curriculum and mentors are invaluable as you get further along and the amount of resources drops off. My mentor has been so helpful when I get stuck or want to think through how to best tackle a problem. The mentor sessions also help to keep you accountable and moving forward each week (I am enrolled in the course with a full time job - it is important to set time aside for Bloc).
I selected bloc based on reviews like this one and I have not been disappointed. The mentor led self paced learning is a perfect for my needs. My mentor is empowered to customize the course as needed to fit my exact learning needs as well. I am not looking to get another job, only to expand on my existing career, but the job focus that Bloc provides is excellent. Everything is about you. Making sure that you know the concepts and teaching what to expect when looking for a job and preparing...
I selected bloc based on reviews like this one and I have not been disappointed. The mentor led self paced learning is a perfect for my needs. My mentor is empowered to customize the course as needed to fit my exact learning needs as well. I am not looking to get another job, only to expand on my existing career, but the job focus that Bloc provides is excellent. Everything is about you. Making sure that you know the concepts and teaching what to expect when looking for a job and preparing you as best as possible. It is a very well rounded course and I have enjoyed it immensely.
Like you, I was out there looking to take my love for programming to the professional level. I did a lot of research about the various boot camps out there and Bloc was the perfect fit for me.
I wanted something in depth, but also flexible, as I could not afford to relocate and spend weeks going to seminars at a traditional boot camp. I needed something that worked around my schedule and Bloc provided just that.
While that was the main thing that drew me to Bloc that ce...
Like you, I was out there looking to take my love for programming to the professional level. I did a lot of research about the various boot camps out there and Bloc was the perfect fit for me.
I wanted something in depth, but also flexible, as I could not afford to relocate and spend weeks going to seminars at a traditional boot camp. I needed something that worked around my schedule and Bloc provided just that.
While that was the main thing that drew me to Bloc that certainly wasn't the only thing. I really liked the mentor style teaching that they do and I believe it is a lot more effective than a traditional classroom setting. Not only are the mentors extremely knowledgeable but they're very understanding and friendly.
Not only do you develop a great relationship with an experienced programmer, but you also have access to the entire Bloc community of students and staff that you can discuss literally anything with. (This was a huge unforeseen plus for me)
As for the curriculum a lot can be said but, I'll just hit the highlights. Probably the best part about it is the amount of project/portfolio-building work you do. You can jam through tutorials just about anywhere and feel like you know how to program, but it's the projects where you really get to see what your made of AND where you get to really exercise your creativity. And this is where Bloc excels.
Even though the development stuff is mainly Ruby on Rails, your mentor can probably help you learn about other popular frameworks that you might be interested in, so really the sky is the limit in terms of what you can learn. (But trust me the curriculum will give you PLENTY of good stuff to learn so you will not be left wanting in knowledge)
There's so much more that I could discuss but I just wanted to make sure I covered the stuff that was important to me when I was at your stage. The bottom line is: Bloc is a great program and well worth the money (especially if you choose a job guaranteed track) I highly recommend it.
If you want a more thorough discussion of boot camps in general, here's a great video of some the big names in the industry talking about them vs. CS degrees (which you might also be considering) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=48D2ZcBHunQ
If you want get more info on Bloc I definitely would encourage you to sign up for an info session on the track you're interested in. They're immensely helpful.
Mentor, Mentor, Mentor…
It’s all about the mentor you have. I’m doing the full-stack course and changed my mentor twice at the beginning until I found my current mentor. The experience very different depending on your mentor. Just try to get a mentor who cares, because they are all skilled to teach you the material.
Material
Mentor is super important because the curriculum is extremely well designed and will teach you fundamentals thoroughly. I believe the bi...
Mentor, Mentor, Mentor…
It’s all about the mentor you have. I’m doing the full-stack course and changed my mentor twice at the beginning until I found my current mentor. The experience very different depending on your mentor. Just try to get a mentor who cares, because they are all skilled to teach you the material.
Material
Mentor is super important because the curriculum is extremely well designed and will teach you fundamentals thoroughly. I believe the biggest growth happens during the project section and it’s the hardest part. But you will be amazed how much you learn.
Support
I was able to reach a human being every single time I have a question or issue. They really care and seem to want to do everything at their disposable to help you out. I bet you they would try to find you a babysitter if that’s what’s keeping you from coding.
I've been doing my research on boot camps recently and I just wanted to advise people that Bloc's Front-End Web Developer is $8800 base plus financing.
The 12-18 mo. Software Engineering/Software Development Track is now a whopping $24000 with financing taking it up to $30,000! For an online bootcamp. This is a 25% increase over the most recently listed tuition on their website and here. The timings has also changed from the web...
I've been doing my research on boot camps recently and I just wanted to advise people that Bloc's Front-End Web Developer is $8800 base plus financing.
The 12-18 mo. Software Engineering/Software Development Track is now a whopping $24000 with financing taking it up to $30,000! For an online bootcamp. This is a 25% increase over the most recently listed tuition on their website and here. The timings has also changed from the website: 40 hrs/28wk 25hr/72wk and 15hr/144wk (nearly three years).
I am going to take a pass -there are other much more affordable programs reviewed here. I think Bloc increasingly sounds like it's for the person who simply "has to have the best" and measures that quality on price/cost.
5Star reviews are not applicable.
I've had an overall pretty good experience with Bloc so far. I love the curriculum and the fact that I can do it all online (I have a 4 month old baby, so anything else was not an option). I really feel like I'm learning things both well and in the right order. It took my mentor and I a little while to "click" but I really get a lot out of our weekly sessions now and I feel like the face-to-face (or face-to-screen-to-face) interaction is what makes this different from doing projects on ...
I've had an overall pretty good experience with Bloc so far. I love the curriculum and the fact that I can do it all online (I have a 4 month old baby, so anything else was not an option). I really feel like I'm learning things both well and in the right order. It took my mentor and I a little while to "click" but I really get a lot out of our weekly sessions now and I feel like the face-to-face (or face-to-screen-to-face) interaction is what makes this different from doing projects on sites like CodeAcademy.
Employed in-field | 75.0% |
Full-time employee | 52.5% |
Full-time apprenticeship, internship or contract position | 22.5% |
Short-term contract, part-time, or freelance | 0.0% |
Started a new company or venture after graduation | 0.0% |
Not seeking in-field employment | 0.0% |
Employed out-of-field | 0.0% |
Continuing to higher education | 0.0% |
Not seeking a job for health, family, or personal reasons | 0.0% |
Still seeking job in-field | 25.0% |
Could not contact | 0.0% |
How much does Bloc cost?
Bloc costs around $9,600. On the lower end, some Bloc courses like Web Developer Track cost $8,500.
What courses does Bloc teach?
Bloc offers courses like Design Track, Web Developer Track.
Where does Bloc have campuses?
Bloc teaches students Online in a remote classroom.
Is Bloc worth it?
The data says yes! In 2019, Bloc reported a 0% graduation rate, a median salary of $62,400, and 75% of Bloc alumni are employed. The data says yes! In 2016, Bloc reported a 41% graduation rate, a median salary of $65,411, and 80% of Bloc alumni are employed.
Is Bloc legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 477 Bloc alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Bloc and rate their overall experience a 4.61 out of 5.
Does Bloc offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like Bloc offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Can I read Bloc reviews?
You can read 477 reviews of Bloc on Course Report! Bloc alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Bloc and rate their overall experience a 4.61 out of 5.
Is Bloc accredited?
While bootcamps must be approved to operate, accreditation is relatively rare. Bloc doesn't yet share information about their accreditation status.
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