Launch Academy

Launch Academy Bootcamp Reviews and Complete Guide

Launch Academy offers intensive bootcamps designed to help you learn web development and land your first job as a software engineer. Launch Academy offers both on-campus and remote classes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, all classes have moved online. In this Launch Academy review, we explore everything you can expect from the coding school.

What Is Launch Academy?

Launch Academy is a coding bootcamp that teaches students or “Launchers” fundamental programming skills through immersive teaching practices. With practical hands-on exercises, Launchers build real products that help prepare them for the job market.

The coding bootcamp offers a comprehensive learning experience that builds integral web development skills. The curriculum covers a wide range of programming languages, including JavaScript, React, HTML5, CSS3, and Ruby.

Is Launch Academy Worth It?

If you are interested in a career in software engineering, Launch Academy is worth it. This is because Launch Academy places a high emphasis on immersive learning. The school ensures students gain experience through hands-on projects, allowing them to make mistakes, and learn from them.

Launch Academy Job Placement

Launch Academy has a very high job placement rate. There is a strong emphasis on student-mentor relationships and a hands-on learning experience, ensuring the success of its students.

Graduates will also have access to hiring partners and networking events. And the post-grad kickoff provides further exposure for graduates, as well as an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent to potential hiring managers.

Does Launch Academy Offer a Job Guarantee?

No. Launch Academy does not offer a job placement guarantee. However, the school works hard to equip you with all the important skills needed to be successful in your career and provides the best instructors.

Launch Academy also offers post-grad support for six months after graduation. Graduates will have access to the academy’s learning management system. And graduates benefit from advanced skill-building projects, code reviews with instructors, and career guidance.

How Much Does Launch Academy Cost?

The Launch Academy bootcamp costs $17,500. There are a couple of different ways to pay for coding bootcamps, and below we review the methods that Launch Academy advertises.

How to Pay for Launch Academy: Scholarships and Loans

Launch Academy provides various financing options for students to help them cover the cost of tuition.

Scholarships

Launch Academy offers a $500 scholarship to women, underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and members of the LGBTQ community. Military veterans in the tech industry are also eligible for the scholarship.

Additionally, students who are new to coding can qualify for a scholarship if they enroll in Launch Academy’s Pre-Flight Challenge.

Loan Financing

Ascent Funding provides loan financing options to help students cover their fees. There are interest-only loans, immediate repayment loans, and 30-month and 60-month deferred payment options.

Launch Academy Locations

Launch Academy is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Its classes are currently remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launch Academy Courses

Launch Academy offers various courses to students a seeking career in software development. The school also offers pre-bootcamp courses that have been designed to prepare students for its main bootcamp.

Launch Academy Prep Courses

Launch Academy offers two prep courses. These courses help students prepare for the 10-week immersive learning of the bootcamp.

1. Pre-Flight – The Pre-Flight course is designed for students who are not familiar with coding. This program provides extra practice for new students to prepare them for the challenges of bootcamp.
2. Ignition – This is an 8-week pre-work program that focuses on foundational learning. Through a series of videos, exercises, and readings, Launchers can prepare themselves for the main course. Even if they have never written code before, students will learn the basics of JavaScript and Ruby.

Full Stack Development – Online

This full-stack web development course is a 10-week bootcamp designed to equip students with all the tools necessary to become a qualified software developer. The course will cover in-demand technologies and focus on the best practices in programming. Students will learn sought-after coding skills in JavaScript, React, HTML5, CSS3, and Ruby.

Launch Academy teaches students using the Test-Driven Development (TDD) approach. A key benefit of TDD is that it teaches focus and clarity to students who build with code. Not many coding bootcamps use this approach, making Launch Academy unique in this respect.

What Is the Launch Academy Schedule?

Launch Academy is a full-time immersive program. Students will build their coding skills during a 10-week rigorous bootcamp. The class schedule is Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Students will learn to code by reading code, doing code reviews, participating in competitions, collaborating with peers, and giving presentations.

The challenge-based curriculum is facilitated by a dedicated full-time staff, focused on delivering a collaborative learning experience for students.

Launch Academy’s career services team spends time with students to learn about their interests and backgrounds and helps them identify their career path. This gives students an edge in the field as they prepare to interview with top companies.

How to Get Accepted into Launch Academy

Launch Academy has a carefully crafted selection process, and only the top candidates are accepted in the web developer immersive program. A strong emphasis is placed on the interview phase as it will determine if you are a good fit for the program.

To be accepted into Launch Academy, you do not need any prior coding knowledge. However, a technical background can improve your chances of acceptance.

Launch Academy Acceptance Rate

Launch Academy does not publish its acceptance rate. Some previous estimates, however, have placed it in the range of 20 to 30 percent.

Application Process

The application process for Launch Academy is quite simple. It involves a written application followed by an interview.

1. Fill out an online application form. You will need to provide basic information and answer a few open-ended questions.
2. Admissions will contact you with the next steps.
3. Prepare for your interview. Don’t forget to study up on common bootcamp interview questions.
4. After your interview, you will find out if you were admitted into the program within a few business days.

Interview Questions

Launch Academy will schedule your interview via a Zoom video call. The interview can last up to 60 minutes and will cover both technical and behavioral questions. Below are some of the questions you should prepare for.

• The interviewer will be interested to learn more about you and your goals.
• The most important question you need to answer is why you want to learn to code, and what motivated you to decide to join a coding school.
• Part of the interview is a “Lightning Talk” where the interviewer will ask you to explain a certain subject you are passionate about. Through this exercise, the interviewer wants to gauge your ability to explain a subject clearly and succinctly.
• The last part of the interview is a logic exercise, which involves a series of multiple-choice questions. Through this exercise, the interviewer wants to determine how open you are to development and growth. This is also a chance to show the interviewer that you are not only passionate but are also a team player.
• The interview will also be your chance to learn about the program, so feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Is Launch Academy Right for You?

One of Launch Academy’s core principles is the desire to help students become their absolute best. The school strives to teach at a higher level than other bootcamps and expects a lot from its students.

With a focus on long-term goals rather than short-term, Launch Academy provides ongoing support to its graduates. The Career Kickoff is a great way for students to network with potential employers.

The Greater Boston Area is a hotspot for tech companies and more students are showing interest in gaining software development skills. Launch Academy prepares students for critical internships as well as full-time roles, teaching in-demand skills in Python, .NET, JavaScript, and Ruby.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the software development field is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2019 to 2029. In terms of salary potential, the Bureau lists the average salary for web developers at $107,510 per year, which comes out to about $51.69 per hour.

If you are an aspiring software developer who wants to get hands-on learning experience with high-end tools, this coding bootcamp might be the right fit for you.