NYC Data Science Academy

My experience at NYCDSA was really great. All aspects of the program (the curriculum, the instructors, fellow students, and the job support) were top-notch! If I were sent back in time and had to make the choice again whether or not to join the bootcamp, I would say yes every time.

The material they cover is three months of non-trivial exposure to a wide breadth of relevant, practically useful topics. And because they've been able to carefully tailor and refine the curriculum over the course of 15+ cohorts, it's highly distilled, but also designed in a way to constantly reinforce the most important concepts.

Their job support and career coaching really streamlined the job search process for me. They have great industry connections, which increase opportunities. I found my current job from a hiring event the bootcamp hosts.

But even beyond the course material and job support, it's the people and environment that really made the experience special for me. The instructors and TAs are both extremely knowledgeable and also super supportive and helpful. Additionally, you're surrounded by fellow students that come from all different background, but have all made the same choice as you, and they are all highly motivated and fully engaged - which is a rare thing.

I attended the bootcamp of NYC Data Science Academy in the summer of 2016. I started my career as Data Analyst one month after the program. I chose this bootcamp because my friend got Data Science training there and got a Data Scientist job right after that. It was a very intensive training program with systematic classes and materials, which covered frontier machine learning algorithms and applications, big data tools, and analysis tools with a path you would be able to further develop your career. The instructors are top notch with mathematic Ph. D degrees. They condensed the Data Science skills and knowledges to approachable class materials. Hand by hand coding help. Vivian, the CTO, pushed us to our limitation and to get  good job offers. Almost 99% of our classmates got job offer, where most of them are Data Scientist, and others are Data Analyst.  The training was a whole package with knowledges, skills, resume writing and interview mock. 

The 12 months studies helped me get my first job in 2016 , and now the second job in 2018. What I learned from NYC Data Science Academy is still helping me in my career.

Strongly recommend.

As someone who read many reviews during my decision to switch to data science, I understand how important these testimonials are for prospective students.  That being said, if you are apprehenisive about changing careers or investing in a bootcamp, rest assured that NYCDSA  provides a quality education and valuable resources. 

This industry changes so fast.  With that said, the academy really has their ear to the wall when in comes to new technologies, software, and machine learning algorithms.  This will really keep your skill set competitive in the market no matter when you choose to join the program.  

Many other reviews have adressed the strength of the curriculum. So I want to comment on another benefit:  Your professional network will grow tremondously by attending the program.  When it comes to job searching, it's all about engaging with your network, hearing about opportunities from peers, alumni, and faculty, and getting referalls.  The people you meet here can really be your support system for your job search and beyond.

When it comes to how fast you can get a job, a lot depends on how well you learned the material and getting those elusive referalls.

This bootcamp is by no means easy.  You will be studying and brushing up on skills after you get your diploma!  

For someone without much programing experience or statistical training but want to get into data science. This is a great bootcamp for you to start. This does not mean it's easy, you still will have a lot of struggle and late night working on projects, but the school sets a great learning path and offer amazing assistance along the way.
I'll list a few reasons why I picked NYCDSA : First, it has the most comprehensive and transparent curriculum online. It covers both Python and R and the skills and toolsets you get to use on the 4 projects are the most widely used ones across the industry. Second, it has pre-work and devotes the first 4 weeks of the bootcamp to review and practice the programming skills in the pre-work. This is really helpful for someone not coming from a CS background like me, helps me to better focus and learn the machine learning concepts that come later in the course. Third, the school is always updating the curriculum to catch up with the trend such as including deep learning and big data track upon students choice. Fourth, the final project is with real companies and dealing with real world business problems, which is always good talk about during job interviews. Fifth, the job hunting assistance is super,  vivian is always on top of everything and ready to help. 
Having finished the program and landing a job offer after a few months. I'd say joining NYCDSA is definitely one of the best choices of my life. I have got what I came for, which is switch my career path. But I realized I gained so much more than that. I made a lot life-long friends who share the same passion and will continue to support each other in the future career. 

I am a Biology PhD and and I took the summer Data Science bootcamp at NYC Data Science Academy (NYCDSA). I can say that it exceeded my expectations in all stages of the journey towards a Data Science career. My objective of transitioning to a Data Scientist position was met in less than a month of full time job searching after finishing the bootcamp. I was actually accepted to the Data Incubator program but decided to join NYCDSA instead given its longer duration, stronger focus on education and broader job placement opportunities.

The twelve weeks of the bootcamp were the most intense and productive weeks of my life. I have never learned so much and so fast (and I’m a PhD!) If you work hard, the final product is beautiful -- a well rounded Data Science portfolio with 4 creative projects that showcase different Data Science tools with its corresponding Github repositories, a polished resume and a solid coding and Machine Learning knowledge. My perspective on the different stages of the process are the following:

1. Pre-work. I appreciate the fact that NYCDSA provides your with interactive material to work through R and Python basics. I methodically worked through it 4 months prior the start date. Having dedicated time and effort to this part gave me a kick-start and allowed me to reinforce that knowledge during the bootcamp.

2. Bootcamp. The quality of  the projects, Github repositories and preparation for Data Scientist interviews depends on the effort you put in this part. I can only encourage you to carefully work on every project and every class. It pays out. The curriculum is very complete and the Machine Learning classes are exceptional; something I would latter appreciate during my on site interviews. NYCDSA also gives coaching for interview and resume preparation and even provides a professional headshot.  

3. The job search. I did not expect so much help and support in the job search process. I had regular follow up with NYCDSA hiring team and referrals for many companies through their contacts. I also had the chance to do a mock interview with one of the NYCDSA connections.

Summing up, I fully endorse NYCDSA as an institution that provides a solid foundation of Data Science skills and support that allows student to be successful in their new career.

First, a little about my background. I have a PhD in physics. In the years I spent in graduate school I had gained some experience in coding, statistics and data analysis. I did not have industry experience and was not really sure how to switch to the field of Data Science after so many years in academia. In the spring of 2018, when I was looking to join a Data Science bootcamp, I searched for programs which would put strong emphasis on both Python and R, and also provide me with ample opportunities to do project work, i.e., let me build a data product from scratch. The project part was particularly important to me because I felt that will be extremely valuable when interviewing for jobs. NYC Data Science academy seemed to fill the bill prefectly, so I decided to join them for the summer 2018 cohort. I will admit that I was a little sceptical about the utility of a 12-week bootcamp. But four months on, after graduating and now landing a data scientist job, I can unequivocally say that joining the bootcamp turned out to be a great decision for me. Of course in any intense bootcamp like this, it depends largely on you what you are going to get out of it. The thing the bootcamp does really well is to provide you with great resources-- very knowledgable and approachable faculty, a very good team of teaching assistants, good course materials, and excellent level of job assistance. Last but not the least, I had the chance to make a bunch of very close friends, who will form the backbone of my data science network for many years to come. I highly recommend this program specifically for people who are switching from academia.

I came to this program with a background in neuroscience, lots of coding in MATLAB, and lots of statistics but NO experience with Python, R, or most Machine Learning techniques. And I got exactly what I wanted to get out of it: lots of great practical experience in R, Python, various machine learning/statistics, and a confidence in approaching technical interviews. The program starts slow with Prework that is essential especially if one has never coded before, but also very useful even if you have experience in a different language (like me in MATLAB), and then it ramps up fast. By week 6 you've completed two aggressive projects in a data visualization app and web-scraping. The last two projects are ML-related and boosted my confidence in applying, evaluating, and discussing these techniques (very important for interviews). By the end, you are ready for the job search, and they were very helpful in getting us to make as many connections as possible. This program can be as challenging as you want - the materials and the instructors are there to help you succeed with as ambitious a project as you might want. Unlike university/regular school, they are not there to handhold or even grade you. They set the expectations and are there to help you meet or surpass them. I was mostly motivated by myself and my peers, who were a diverse and impressive bunch. I was happy to note that our cohort had a gender ratio of about 50/50, although depends from group to group. I ultimately chose NYCDSA because I wanted experience in both R and Python, and I am glad that I did. Overall, it was exactly what I wanted it to be, and I am very confident in my data science skills because of it.

I have worked in financial services for 8 years and realized how technology has changed this industry so I decided to learn data science. With master in economics and CFA,  I think my weakness is programming and modeling, getting a proper training would be the most efficient way to make me a data scientist. While comparing a few bootcamp programs, I chose NYCDS for 3 reasons: 1. Great content: teaching both R and Python, also include hands on sessions for SQL, AWS, deep learning, NLP etc; 2. Great teacher and students: the founder and fellow teachers, guest teachers all worked on or currently working on data science projects in different industry, students having strong background with different domin knowledge; 3. The online full-time program fits my schdule after discussion with my manager.The skills I learned by completeing the 4 projects could be directly apply to my work.

The 12 week bootcamp was intense, but I learned so much by pushing myself to my limit. I am not only self-motivated, but also motivated by my peers. I felt so exctied about the synergy between my and my teammates in group projects while working hard together. While achieving my goel of improving programming and modeling skills, I also becoming much more open-minded and not afraid to start from begining learning new technical skills at any time. After completing the bootcamp, I applied the skills I learned and created an application at work which is becoming a popular tool.

NYCDS is very supportive, teachers, TAs, fellow students, alumni as well as the founder of the school can provide you any resource you need to help you achieve your goal. If I can redo this program again, the only change I will make is applying earlier. In this way, I can prepare myself longer in the pre-bootcamp training so that I can explore more during the bootcamp. This bootcamp is a life change experience for me. I highly recommend this program!

Summary

The NYC Data Science Academy is a wonderful organisation comprised of passionate and deeply knowledgeable people. Their curriculum is top notch, fast but fairly paced, and teaches the skills needed to be successful in any data scientist position. The course requires completion of four major projects which not only gives you real coding experience, but enables you to walk away from the program with solid evidence that you have the coding skills and knowledge of theory required to be successful in the field of data science. Along the way, you will make many new friends and you will expand your network of data scientists to help in your job search. If you work hard to make the best effort you can, three months from now you will be writing a review just like me about how you made the right call to join the NYC Data Science Academy.

My Background

I graduated with a bachelor's in Biology from an Ivy League school in December 2017. While looking for jobs, I realized that if I wanted to land the kind of research position I wanted I had a much longer road in academia than I had originally anticipated. I ran into an old friend who had completed a web development bootcamp and he told me to look into similar programs. After speaking with another friend who is a CTO of a startup, he suggested that I look into data science programs because of the increasing demand in the field. I had some experience coding in Java, but nothing crazy and I hadn't really coded in years. I have always had an interest in computers and I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of data science, so I figured I'd take the risk to change career paths.

The Course

I had three specific things in mind when searching for the right program for me. These were:

1. Multiple projects throughout the program
2. Reviewed highly by graduates
3. Programming languages taught include Python, R, and SQL

I think these are important qualities for any data science program, but they were specifically important to me because I was making the switch from a non-technical field.

First, the projects were a must because I wanted to leave the program knowing I had something concrete to show employers. NYC Data Science Academy has 4 dedicated projects so that when you graduate from the program you have solid evidence of your skills as a data scientist. The last is a capstone project which allows you to work with a real business on a real business problem. This is a great opportunity to prove your worth as a data scientist.

Second, I wanted to find a program that was rated very highly by its graduates. NYC Data Science Academy has some of the best reviews I've seen of any data science program, and for good reason. The instructors have a deep understanding of the material and they are both friendly and professional. The curriculum is as hard as it needs to be for a 12-week program, but the pace the instructors set is fair. The TAs are a tremendous resource and they are available for a reasonable amount of time to get your questions in. The course explores the most important aspects of data science and challenges you with case studies and coding challenges so that you can get a good idea of what to expect when you enter the industry.

Third, I was looking for a program that taught Python, R, and SQL. These three languages are the most highly saught after in data science jobs I have seen, so learning them gives you a solid base for most opportunities out there. Many bootcamps offer Python, R, or SQL, but few offer all three. NYC Data Science Academy is one of those few.

The Result

I was originally thinking about using free online resources to teach myself data science techniques, but after going through the bootcamp process, I am extremely glad I made the investment. I was able to accomplish in 3 months what would have taken me over a year to do by myself. I was also pleasantly suprised at how close I became with my fellow classmates. They were all wonderful and intelligent people and I now have a close network of capable data scientists who I can call upon in the future if I find myself in a rut. This is a massively valuable resource that I didn't even consider when applying for the bootcamp.

The job preperation workshops were also immensely helpful when preparing for the job search. Things like resume reviews, mock interviews, and coding challenges helped to ease me into the world of professional interviewing. I am now on my way to becoming an expert interviewer. There is also a networking event at the conclusion of the program which allows you to get in touch with a diverse group of companies looking to hire. The very next week after graduating from the bootcamp I was actively talking with multiple employers.

I remember reading in a lot of bootcamp reviews that what you get out is what you put in. I will reiterate this because it is absolutely true. This program is not a day care, its purpose is not to motivate you or convince you that this is your path. This program is meant to supply you with all the resources and tools you need to be successful in a data science career. If you go in with the mindset that you will work hard and do your best to learn more material than you thought you could, you will be successful. NYC Data Science Academy has everything you need to be a success, you just need to make the effort to reach out and take it.

The experience in NYC Data Science Academy is life changing for me. I am a graduate student in New York University studyng Psychology. Before I entered the bootcamp, I had almost none exposure to coding, programming, not to mention machine learning.

The instructors are professional and helpful. Six weeks into this bootcamp, I found my current internship for a data analyst position. What I have leanred in the bootcamp helped me pass the technical interview and got me the job. I do appreciate it a lot. 

If you come from a background that is barely related to data science, programming or statistics, this bootcamp will get you started on a career for a data scientist. Other than technical skills, the bootcamp will also provide you with an approachable platform for job opportunities. At the end of the bootcamp, there will be a hiring event where over 100 recruiters will come and talk to you. About 30-50% of the students will find a job on that event. Most of my cohort got an on-site interview from at least one company. 

If you are looking for a job, then this bootcamp will be a perfect fit for you. 

First of all, unlike many bootcamp students, I didn’t come from a background with coding or science, nor do I have a master degree. And I am currently a data scientist working at a startup, helping brands to understand their customers better through an emotional lens using Natural Language Processing. This definitely to certain extent proves not only the rigorousness of the course disciplines and the willingness from the bootcamp to go an extra mile to help the students who don’t come from a ‘regular’ background to succeed.

I picked NYC DSA as the academy’s overall rating was simply the best across all data science bootcamps on the East Coast and the backgrounds of the instructors listed on the website were impressive to me. Coming from a business and consulting background, I consider myself very hardworking and competitive - I only wanted the best and NYC DSA was simply just it.  

 

What I Loved about the Bootcamp:

• The Depth of knowledge of the instructors, especially Aiko Liu (Aiko really influenced the way how I think about data science problems and he paved a really good knowledge foundation for us)
• The Rigorousness of the course disciplines
• The fantastic quality of classmates (they will be your best friends and your network after you graduate in three months)
• The emphasis on solving practical business problems with data science skillsets (this is critical for you to find a job on the East Coast)
• The partnership with big corporations for capstone projects

 

Some Suggestions:

• I wish the academy could focus less on R and more on Python. Maybe they have changed the balance currently. During the time of my enrollment, it was 50% R and 50% Python. Although R is a very useful programming language for statistical analysis and visualization, Python is the dominant language in the data science field. If you are just about to attend the bootcamp, I would suggest you place a larger focus on Python and practice data science problems with Python as much as possible.
• I wish the academy could test or at least walk through some interview-level challenges/case studies methodologically to the students during the three months of experience. I believe this will not only prepare the students better in terms of what to expect from a data science interview, but also help the students start formulating thought processes related to solving data science problems.