Launch School

Launch School Bootcamp Reviews and Complete Guide

Launch School is one of the oldest and largest coding bootcamps in the world. It is strictly online and focuses on software development, with a secondary emphasis on data science. The school uses a unique pedagogy that features a Core Curriculum and a Capstone Program, covering the fundamentals of software engineering.

Read this Launch School review to determine whether it is a viable bootcamp for you.

What Is Launch School?

Launch School is an online-based learning program with self-paced courses for students who want to become software engineers. The program focuses on programming and software engineering fundamentals, teaching students how to be proficient developers.

Is Launch School Worth It?

Yes, Launch School is worth it. Like all other bootcamp programs, it reduces the amount of time you spend in school. The longest program at Launch School is the two-year Core Curriculum, which is still shorter than a four-year bachelor’s degree. You will gain a mastery of all fundamentals and be ready to launch a career in software engineering.

Additionally, Launch School is cheaper than most bootcamps. For less than $300 per month, you’ll receive course content, staff support, and assessments. Although the classes are strictly online, you will be part of a vibrant school community.

Launch School’s learning goals focus on helping students gain mastery of higher-level abstractions and constructing accurate solutions for all engineering problems. You will understand software development from the ground up.

Launch School Job Placement

Launch School has an impressive job placement record. Over the past four years, 100 percent of Capstone Program graduates found employment within 180 days of graduation. On average, it took less than 70 days. Graduates earn an average of over $100,000 per year. In 2020, the average starting salary for Capstone students was $118,408.

The school’s graduates receive job placement in industry-leading companies such as Intel, PayPal, Etsy, Deloitte, and BeenVerified. You can view the extensive list of industries where graduates have gone on to work on the school’s website.

Does Launch School Offer a Job Guarantee?

No, Launch School doesn’t guarantee its students a job. However, the school’s track record proves that your chances of securing a job are very high. Between 2016 and 2020, all Capstone Program graduates accepted a job offer within nine weeks of graduation.

The school’s mastery-based learning (MBL) pedagogy ensures you are well-equipped to tackle interview questions on all aspects of software development. Launch School reviews from previous students are also an indication that your job search will be short.

However, you need to undertake the Capstone Program, which focuses on launching careers. Although the Core Curriculum covers mastery of software development fundamentals, it isn’t enough to guarantee a career in software engineering.

How Much Does Launch School Cost?

Launch School charges $199 per month for all programs. However, students who study under the deferred payment plan will pay $299 per month. Students can opt for upfront or deferred payment. Upon payment, you will have access to the curriculum, online support, learning resources, and assessments.

Luckily, you have the option to go through Launch School’s free prep courses before submitting your payment. You can also cancel your subscription at any time.

How to Pay for Launch School: Upfront Payment or ISA

Launch School provides two payment options to help more students access its courses. You must be a US citizen to access both financing options. Non-residents have to abide by the standard payment option of $199 per month.

Upfront Payment

The upfront payment plan requires Launch School students to pay the standard $199 every month, equivalent to $2,388 per year. This cost is cheaper than other bootcamps, which can charge over $25,000 per year.

Deferred Payment Program (ISA)

The school introduced the Deferred Payment Program to allow more students to launch software engineering careers without financial pressure. It is similar to an income share agreement (ISA).

You begin the program without paying any fees. But once you graduate and get a job offer of at least $60,000, you will start paying your deferred tuition. Students pay $299 every month for the period spent in the program. If your salary is lower than the stipulated $60,000, you will not pay the school.

The only downside is the payment option is open to US citizens only. To qualify, you need to take the free prep course and complete both the Core Curriculum and the Capstone Program.

Launch School Locations

Launch School is a fully-fledged online coding bootcamp. The school doesn’t have physical branches apart from its headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, the school has creative ways of bringing its students together, from webinars to Slack channels.

Launch School organizes regular webinars for its students. The famous Tech Talks is one of the school’s most successful meetups, which happens every month. Students and Launch School staff pick relevant topics for the webinar.

The Launch School Community Forum allows students to share study tips, give code reviews, and help each other solve challenging problems. This is also where you will find all school announcements. All students also have access to the school’s Slack-powered chatroom, which is active around the clock.

Lastly, Launch School has a podcast, which keeps former, current, and future students close together. Here you can listen to students talk about their experience at Launch School.

Launch School Courses

Launch School offers a variety of software engineering courses through its two programs, the Core Curriculum and the Capstone Program. The former focuses on the mastery of fundamentals, and you learn programming and software development essentials. Launch School experts designed the Capstone course to help launch careers.

Before beginning the Core Curriculum, every student must go through the preparatory courses.

Launch School Prep Courses

The prep courses are free and mandatory for all students. They are self-paced, and students don’t receive support from the school. However, you can always find answers on the school’s website.

These courses will help you decide whether or not Launch School’s MBL framework suits your career path. The courses are surveyed below.

1. Orientation – In this introductory course, you get an introduction to software development and an overview of what to expect. The course also defines what the job market looks like for software developers.
2. Programming and Back-End Development – This course offers a preview of the paid courses. You will learn about the command line, how to use Git and GitHub, and essential tools for problem-solving and debugging. This course also introduces you to your first programming language, either Ruby or JavaScript.

Core Curriculum – Online

The Core Curriculum is perfect for beginners and serious students. The primary aim of this course is to encourage the mastery of the fundamentals of software development. It lasts between eight and 16 months, depending on your commitment. The curriculum is offered in two phases: Programming and Back-End Development and Front-End Development.

In the first phase, you will learn how to solve problems with a programming language. Using either Ruby or JavaScript, you will learn the skills necessary to convey your ideas in code and contribute to server-side web application development. You will also learn how to use SQL for relational database management and web development protocols such as HTTP.

In the second phase, students focus on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front end development practices. You will learn how to create interactive web pages using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. By the end of the second phase, you will be ready to apply for a job.

The Capstone Program – Online

If you want to add further polish to your skills, you should take the Capstone Program, which is led by successful software engineers, who serve as career mentors. This program is optional and admissions-based. To qualify, you must do well in the Core Curriculum.

It is a full-time program, lasting between four and seven months. You have to commit to 16 weeks of back-to-back classes, Monday through Friday. After that, the career mentors will help you with your job search for one to three months.

The program covers various topics, such as advanced algorithmic problem-solving, full stack web development, service-oriented architectures, and cloud infrastructure.

What Is the Launch School Schedule?

Launch School classes are either self-paced or full-time. The schedule depends on the type of program.

Self-Paced

The prep courses and the Core Curriculum are self-paced. Students need to spend at least 15 hours every week to finish the course on time and keep up with the mastery-based learning approach. As long as you ace all the assessment work, you can complete the courses at your own pace.

While students don’t receive one-on-one tutoring, the school instructors and teaching assistants are available to answer any questions.

Full-Time

The Capstone Program is on a full-time schedule. Students attend classes all day from Monday through Friday. Learning is team-based, and all classes have an instructor. The classes are intense and not conducive for working students.

It is demanding because it prepares students for immediate employment after graduation.

How to Get Accepted Into Launch School

To get accepted into Launch School, you only need to prove your educational background. A GED, high school diploma, or college transcript is enough to give you access to the school’s programs.

However, Capstone students have to fulfill more requirements, such as US citizenship, high marks in the Core Curriculum, full-time availability, and technical proficiency.

Launch School Acceptance Rate

Launch School has a high acceptance rate. Everyone interested in joining the school is eligible upon completing the prep courses. The Core Curriculum is open to everyone regardless of location and availability. But the acceptance rate decreases for the Capstone Program because it is more demanding and open to US students only.

Application Process

Launch School’s application process is simple. To start, create an account and finish the prep courses. If you are impressed by the preparatory courses, you can pay the monthly subscriptions to start the Core Curriculum courses. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the process.

1. Sign up on the school website.
2. Create an account.
3. Finish the prep courses.
4. If interested, pay the monthly subscription for the actual courses.

Interview Questions

Launch School students don’t sit for an interview. After taking the prep course, you can opt to pay for the program or not. While the Capstone Program is more competitive, Launch School does not conduct interviews for it.

Is Launch School Right for You?

Launch School is a leading online bootcamp with a successful track record of creating successful software engineers. With 100 percent of its students getting employment within ten weeks of graduation, you stand a good chance of excelling.

You can pursue a software engineering career in several industries, such as digital marketing, transportation, product management, finance, and project management. The school offers a bevy of resources to facilitate your success.

Above all, Launch School is more affordable than most coding bootcamps. If you’re interested in a career in software development, Launch School may suit you.