Code Fellows is closed
This school is now closed. Although Code Fellows is no longer accepting students or running its program, you can still see historical information and Code Fellows alumni reviews on the school page.
Code Fellows is a technical skills training academy in the Pacific Northwest that offers full- and part-time software development, ops and cybersecurity courses online and in-person from their Seattle, Washington location. Code Fellows guides people from all backgrounds to change their lives through fast-paced, career-focused education. Since their first cohort in 2013, Code Fellows has taught over 1,600 graduates and iterated on their curriculum and format to ensure students receive the most industry-relevant training as effectively and efficiently as possible. Code Fellows shapes passionate learners with immersive training to meet industry needs and improve diversity. Students are immersed in their learning with daily lectures, pair programming, weekly presentations from full-time instructional staff who are seasoned industry professionals, one-week project sprints, and more. Code Fellows graduates work at Amazon, Microsoft, Zillow, Expedia, XBOX, NIKE, Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, and over 800 other companies.
The modular style of the Code Fellows program allows students to test into the course level that is most appropriate for their current skill level. In addition, the modular class structure allows students to choose the schedule and timing that meets their needs.
Code Fellows believes everyone should have the opportunity to succeed. Code Fellows offers scholarships to help individuals who come from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds find rewarding careers in tech. They are committed to breaking down systemic barriers and ensuring all people are treated with respect and dignity. They are united with their staff, students, alumni, and partners in the fight against systemic racism and injustice.
Code Fellows supports both domestic and international licensing partners through its Powered by Code Fellows program. Code Fellows also offers a tutoring program and platform to both students and non-students, technical instructor certification, and corporate training.
After 13 years at a big tech company, working on variations of the same thing over and over, I decided it was time for a drastic change. I spent ten weeks at Code Fellows learning about iOS development and had multiple job offers in hand 2-3 weeks after finishing. I even ended up getting about a 20% raise over what I walked away from.
The program isn't magical. You can't expect to pay your money, punch the clock, and get handed a cushy job making booku bucks on your way out the d...
After 13 years at a big tech company, working on variations of the same thing over and over, I decided it was time for a drastic change. I spent ten weeks at Code Fellows learning about iOS development and had multiple job offers in hand 2-3 weeks after finishing. I even ended up getting about a 20% raise over what I walked away from.
The program isn't magical. You can't expect to pay your money, punch the clock, and get handed a cushy job making booku bucks on your way out the door. It takes a passion and decication to learn. Beginners will have a more difficult time than experienced developers, but the program definitely works for both audiences. The more effort you put into it, the more benefit you'll get out of it.
The professional development was something I didn't think I needed but ended up being a huge help. I learned my interviewing weaknesses and felt so much more confident in interviews after addressing them. I also learned how to use the web to find jobs, as this was the first time I'd looked since college when the companies came to campus to recruit. I'd vastly underestimated how useful this component of the course would be.
Code Fellows as an organization highly values feedback and takes it very seriously. I've seen changes introduced as a result of feedback both during my course and in the course that followed it.
In the end, going to Code Fellows was an excellent choice for me and I'm extremely happy with how it all worked out.
Two of the greatest parts of Code Fellows above other bootcamps around are 1. the ability to test into a level and 2. scholarships! I highly recommend giving coding a try before looking into making a career change through a bootcamp because it's not for everyone. But if you love it, then go for it! Code Fellows in Portland was awesome because of the small class sizes, amazing teachers, and wonderful support staff.
The curriculum revolves around the most in-demand technologies, an...
Two of the greatest parts of Code Fellows above other bootcamps around are 1. the ability to test into a level and 2. scholarships! I highly recommend giving coding a try before looking into making a career change through a bootcamp because it's not for everyone. But if you love it, then go for it! Code Fellows in Portland was awesome because of the small class sizes, amazing teachers, and wonderful support staff.
The curriculum revolves around the most in-demand technologies, and tries to give you good source materials to learn about a broad range of fundamentals. If you blow off the readings, you lose a bit portion of learning. It's really up to you how much you take away from the courses, because instructors are always willing to send you more materials.
After graduating from 401, the campus director, Jordana, was an invaluable resource in the job hunt. She was there to answer all my questions and help me get my resume out to the Portland community. Having the support of people who really know the tech community is great, but be prepared to put in a lot of work. It's no different than searching for any other desirable full-time positions!
I took three courses at Code Fellows Portland (201-401) and I enjoyed all three of them. Before the bootcamp, I didn't know how to use terminal. After the bootcamp, I got a great job at one of my dream companies.
Instructors and TAs: One of the nicest and knowledgable people that I know. Of course once in a while they may have to look up the answers to some of your questions. However, given that programming technology changes every single day, I find that understandable. They did...
I took three courses at Code Fellows Portland (201-401) and I enjoyed all three of them. Before the bootcamp, I didn't know how to use terminal. After the bootcamp, I got a great job at one of my dream companies.
Instructors and TAs: One of the nicest and knowledgable people that I know. Of course once in a while they may have to look up the answers to some of your questions. However, given that programming technology changes every single day, I find that understandable. They did their best to fully answer my questions and made sure I understand. They also went extra miles outside of the class room to help me with the class materials.
Environment and classmates: Everyone was friendly and overall, it's a very cooperative environment. Unlike back in university when my grade was determined on a curve and everyone had to compete to get the highest score compared to others, everyone here shared their solutions, discussed about new tools, and wasn't hesitate to help each other. I learned a lot of useful tools and coding styles from my classmates, and also learned a lot from explaining concepts and codes to them.
Job assistance: I got useful job searching and networking tips from them. They helped me tailor my resume, sent me job leads every week and introduced me to companies for informational interviews. Overall, I believe they did their best to find a job. However, you should be the one who actively seeks out opportunities, connections and job leads.
So far everything about Code Fellows has been great. However, it's not a magical place where everyone will graduate and be successful. You have to go the extra miles yourself to learn, since this is a bootcamp. Instructors are there to help you absorb as much knowledge as possible. You should try to read all of the readings before a class start and write down your questions. Then try to find the answers to the questions during the lecture, and ask instructors if you still can't find an answer. If you don't understand what a piece of code is doing, ask your classmates and instructors. So at the end of the day, you would know what every single line of code is doing. Also, google the parts of the readings that you don't understand. You need to understand that you have limited time to master many skills and you need to work hard for it. You could be taught by a Nobel winner and still be right where you were before if you didn't try the best to make the most out of it.
One of the things I realized when reading some of the other reviews is that what Code Bootcamp you pick isn't only about the content they teach you. There definitely is a culture fit to consider. All the instructors I've had so far (I'm currently in the 401 Full Stack JavaScript development course) have been very knowledgeable, but love to have fun. So, we were taught a lot, and pushed to learn, but lecture overall had a light atmosphere. If you like that, then great, if you want a more in...
One of the things I realized when reading some of the other reviews is that what Code Bootcamp you pick isn't only about the content they teach you. There definitely is a culture fit to consider. All the instructors I've had so far (I'm currently in the 401 Full Stack JavaScript development course) have been very knowledgeable, but love to have fun. So, we were taught a lot, and pushed to learn, but lecture overall had a light atmosphere. If you like that, then great, if you want a more intense feeling, it may not be for you. Just to be clear though, the content of the courses are robust.
The 201 course was a great base for me for learning web development. The overall approach is to teach you fundamentals before they give you tools to increase your efficiency as a developer. To give you an example of what we were able to accomplish when I was done with the course, look here. That was my final group project.
The biggest strength of the course is the constant team work environment. You use pair programming, and your final project is a group project. This forces you to learn more than just how to code, but how to talk about code and work with other developers.
I learned a lot in 4 weeks, and am very happy that I went through the course. To see how far I came in the 4 weeks, compare the group final project with my first assignment in the course, here.
I also was a Code Fellows student in their 201 and 301 classes. I struggled in both classes due to an inability to absorb so much information in such a short time. However, Code Fellows understood my situation and has given me the option to retake both classes at no cost. They also provided me with a learning plan at the end of my 301 class. I am still pondering on whether this vocation is for me, but I appreciated the empathetic approach that Code Fellows demonstrated towards me.
...I also was a Code Fellows student in their 201 and 301 classes. I struggled in both classes due to an inability to absorb so much information in such a short time. However, Code Fellows understood my situation and has given me the option to retake both classes at no cost. They also provided me with a learning plan at the end of my 301 class. I am still pondering on whether this vocation is for me, but I appreciated the empathetic approach that Code Fellows demonstrated towards me.
The only advice I would give is to perhaps toughen their entrance standards for their 201 class and also require more prep work before starting the 201 course, as this class felt overwhelming almost from day one.
I've completed the 201 and 301 courses and if I did it over again I would have chosen somewhere else.
Code Fellows is the most expensive bootcamp out there - at least for Portland and Seattle. $20K for the 201, 301, and 401 classes which is far more than Dev bootcamp, Coder Camps, or any other bootcamp out there in Seattle. In fact, 5-8k more! There is no reason for this cost. Programming languages are programming languages and there are plenty of bootcamps out there who get y...
I've completed the 201 and 301 courses and if I did it over again I would have chosen somewhere else.
Code Fellows is the most expensive bootcamp out there - at least for Portland and Seattle. $20K for the 201, 301, and 401 classes which is far more than Dev bootcamp, Coder Camps, or any other bootcamp out there in Seattle. In fact, 5-8k more! There is no reason for this cost. Programming languages are programming languages and there are plenty of bootcamps out there who get you to work far faster and for MUCH cheaper. The results do not justify the costs. Also, their job placement rates are no better than any other bootcamp.
Personally, there is a lot of room out there for Code Fellows and any other bootcamp to fudge their placement rate numbers. Keep in mind that the attrition rates of their classes are not included in these numbers. There are A LOT of students in Code Fellows classes who do not make it through their classes. I recently heard that 40-50% of their students did not make it through a recent Seattle 201 class. Not sure what Code Fellows is planning on doing about that. Currently, the only prep work for their 201 course they put you through are a couple classes through Code Academy, which isn't enough. Unlike universities, bootcamps do not go through an accreditation process and thus are never audited.
The only bootcamp that actually publicizes their numbers and has them actually audited is Flat Iron school in New York. Again, why? Do these bootcamps have something to hide?
Finally, keep in mind that Code Fellows gives next to no job support unless you go through one of their 401 classes. Why their 301 class is $1000 more than their 201 class is beyond me. It is the same time duration and you use the exact same textbooks that you purchased for their 201 classes. So after you spend $8000, you are pretty much on your own to find any work with your intermediate coding skills.
You can go to a similar bootcamp and receive the foundational and intermediate aspects of programming for quite a lot less. Code Fellows may reply to my criticism by saying they care more or do a better job. Prove it.
Good luck.
Brook Riggio of Code Fellows
VP of Education
Apr 07, 2016
I was in the last JavaScript Development Accelerator before it transitioned into the 401 in Portland. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this program. I know from talking with people at network events and from interviews that Code Fellows has a reputation for covering the fundamentals and keeping up with the newest technologies. I recieved a small grant which I was thankful for, but regardless I feel that the curated curriculum is worth the cost.
It is an intense program...
I was in the last JavaScript Development Accelerator before it transitioned into the 401 in Portland. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this program. I know from talking with people at network events and from interviews that Code Fellows has a reputation for covering the fundamentals and keeping up with the newest technologies. I recieved a small grant which I was thankful for, but regardless I feel that the curated curriculum is worth the cost.
It is an intense program and I feel like you should be prepared for 10 weeks of around-the-clock coding. The class I took started at 9:00AM with lecture until noon, and then lab hours until 5:00PM. In the evening, I worked and studied until late. I mention this because that is what it takes to cram over a years worth of independent work into 10 weeks. This program works, but you have to be willing to put in your maximum effort!
The program's support of students is amazing, and I felt that they invested in our success. There were guest lecturers on every Friday to talk about what they look for in an interview candidate, how to network, how to whiteboard, etc. I found those lectures to be valuable in my post-graduation job search. Code Fellows admins sent me weekly job leads. The job search curriculum stresses the importance of networking. For me, networking isn't fun, but it is clearly important and I am thankful that I trusted the system and followed my teachers' and administrators' advice.
I just got hired after two months of job searching and I couldn't be happier about my experience at Code Fellows and the support I've recieved since graduating.
Brook Riggio of Code Fellows
VP of Education
Apr 07, 2016
Job Assistance: the professional development page gives a much stronger impression of the support you will find during the ten week program. Instead of professional development for one hour during 6 of the ten weeks it is a 6 hour day on the sixth and eighth week. The six hour days only contains about two to three hours of actual content. The rest of the time is doing what they call workshop where you write answers in paper. They say they have you do this onsite because people...
Job Assistance: the professional development page gives a much stronger impression of the support you will find during the ten week program. Instead of professional development for one hour during 6 of the ten weeks it is a 6 hour day on the sixth and eighth week. The six hour days only contains about two to three hours of actual content. The rest of the time is doing what they call workshop where you write answers in paper. They say they have you do this onsite because people don't do these exercises at home. 30-45 minute topics are on: your brand; linked in page and inward facing partner profile; interview prep and a guest speaker on tech interviews.
The info isn't bad. However, for the limited amount of time they give guidance it should be a firehouse of information and guidance.
There was one career fair hosted three weeks before we graduated. Our class wasn't invited. Only previous graduates were. Odd as we all need jobs and were on the verge of finishing the program.
Their page says that you will receive a mentor. Unfortunately, that isn't accurate.
Their main advice. Network. That's absolutely true. I wish the professional development page on their website would be more humble and say it's really up to you to go out and sell yourself with the coding skills you've developed. Their is no shame in that promise of professional development.
Curriculum:
The curriculum isn't bad. You basically learn the MEAN stack. You will work weekends in groups. Lots of test driven development. Study that if you haven't. My biggest concern was that this course taught the same curriculum over ten weeks that our teacher admits he covered over eight weeks for the previous three development accelerators. It was $4,000 more for the exact same content that seemed stretched out. Many days of lecture felt like time inneficiently spent. That wasn't a good feeling. As far as I'm concerned they owe the students who took that class a deep apology and a refund of the extra 50% cost. Supply and demand I guess.
Instructor: this was probably the most challenging part for me. Our teacher seemed like he really didn't care about the students. This was such a pivotal moment of our lives in which we made huge financial sacrifices and time sacrifices and time pulled away from loved ones. It was so discouraging to have a passion and excitement to do something new and to have a teacher who appeared to just be coasting. Our teacher knew how to code. There is no question about that. Teaching is something different. Code fellows should take into consideration that their teachers really represent them as we don't get to meet many of the staff who I'm sure care and are hard working and do have a vision for people to succeed and transform their lives.
Overall experience: I've ran into people from other code camps and this isn't an unfamiliar phenomenal. The code camp pages, recruiters, preview nights are always going to glow with how much they are going to do for you. But the biggest indicator of success are two things. One, you have surrounded yourself with people who are committed and passionate. Two, your passion and drive.
The code school can definitely enhance those things. The 401 for me, however, didn't.
Code Fellows is in a major transition and there is a feeling of chaos - at least on their Seattle campus.
More than half of our Code 301 class at the end of four weeks still remained ineligible to take their Code 401 classes, which begs the question: Is Code Fellows setting up students for failure? Why aren't they giving students the right advice to prepare for these classes?
During our project week, the actual rubrics for these projects was only given after our assignm...
Code Fellows is in a major transition and there is a feeling of chaos - at least on their Seattle campus.
More than half of our Code 301 class at the end of four weeks still remained ineligible to take their Code 401 classes, which begs the question: Is Code Fellows setting up students for failure? Why aren't they giving students the right advice to prepare for these classes?
During our project week, the actual rubrics for these projects was only given after our assignments were handed in. Why?
Brook Riggio of Code Fellows
VP of Education
Mar 02, 2016
I recently went through their Code 301 course. Could have received the same education through Tree house or Code Academy though and saved a lot of $.
Brook Riggio of Code Fellows
VP of Education
Mar 09, 2016
I attended one of the last full stack javascript accelerator programs before it turned into '401'. I think it's basically the same, but the course was slightly shorter and cost less money. I never attended the prereq courses.
I think the program was absolutely awesome for me. I learned a ton, and got a great job about 5 weeks after graduation. Plus I use what I learned all the time with my new job as a software engineer. Our instructor Tyler was top notch, and I really think the ...
I attended one of the last full stack javascript accelerator programs before it turned into '401'. I think it's basically the same, but the course was slightly shorter and cost less money. I never attended the prereq courses.
I think the program was absolutely awesome for me. I learned a ton, and got a great job about 5 weeks after graduation. Plus I use what I learned all the time with my new job as a software engineer. Our instructor Tyler was top notch, and I really think the curriculum was an optimized way to learn.
I have to admit that the Code Fellows I attended may be significantly different than the one that exists now. The courses, cost, and enrollment numbers are all different now from my understanding. It sounds like they are trying to increase tuition and enrollment across the board. I think it's fine to do that, but I wonder if that hurts the general rigor and selectivity of the school. I noticed they no longer have the job guarantee. I think that's a little sad, since I know I would not have attended without it. I still think that it's a great program that was absolutely key in my professional development. My teacher was awesome and I was lucky enough to be part of a cohort with some extremely talented peers.
If you're doing it right, you will be working for the knowledge that the course provides and not the certificate. My company didn't recognize Code Fellows at all, but they certainly saw that I was technically competant during my interview process. I can't attribute everything to CF. I taught myself javascript for 7 months prior to enrolling, but I would say I learned the most job relevant JS during the Code Fellows months.
Overall, I'd say that if you are genuinely interested in computers and will work your arse off, then this is a great place to fulfill your potential. However, if you are approaching this like getting a generic college degree so you can have a piece of paper that says you are qualified, then you got it all wrong. You have to work hard to make this work. Code Fellows is only one piece of the puzzle.
Brook Riggio of Code Fellows
VP of Education
Mar 09, 2016
Description | Percentage |
Full Time, In-Field Employee | 81.7% |
Full-time apprenticeship, internship or contract position | 12.1% |
Short-term contract, part-time position, freelance | N/A |
Employed out-of-field | N/A |
How much does Code Fellows cost?
Code Fellows costs around $12,000. On the lower end, some Code Fellows courses like Ops 101: Explore Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Careers (Full-Time, In-Person) cost $99.
What courses does Code Fellows teach?
Code Fellows offers courses like Code 101: Explore Software Development (Full-Time, In-Person), Code 101: Explore Software Development (Full-Time, Online), Code 102: Intro to Software Development (Full-Time, In-Person), Code 102: Intro to Software Development (Full-Time, Online) and 45 more.
Where does Code Fellows have campuses?
Code Fellows has in-person campuses in Seattle. Code Fellows also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is Code Fellows worth it?
The data says yes! In 2019, Code Fellows reported a 100% graduation rate, a median salary of $72,500, and 98% of Code Fellows alumni are employed.
Is Code Fellows legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 229 Code Fellows alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Code Fellows and rate their overall experience a 4.47 out of 5.
Does Code Fellows offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Yes, Code Fellows accepts the GI Bill!
Can I read Code Fellows reviews?
You can read 229 reviews of Code Fellows on Course Report! Code Fellows alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Code Fellows and rate their overall experience a 4.47 out of 5.
Is Code Fellows accredited?
Code Fellows is a private vocational school licensed by the State of Washington. Code Fellows was the first code school in Washington State to be approved by the Veterans Association to receive the GI Bill. Learn more at www.codefellows.org/gi-bill
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