LaunchCode

LaunchCode Bootcamp Reviews and Complete Guide

LaunchCode is a free coding bootcamp that offers comprehensive training. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, it has a fully functional online platform for anyone determined to learn to code. As you will see in this LaunchCode review, it is more than a bootcamp. The hands-on apprenticeship program successfully places 80 percent of graduates in permanent positions.

What Is LaunchCode?

With its 14-week full-time, 20-week part-time, and 24-week part-time options, LaunchCode has been tagged by many reliable bootcamp reviewers as one of the best and most flexible bootcamps in the industry. This is primarily because of all the effort that goes into hooking students up with the best tech jobs.

Since 2013, the non-profit organization has partnered with more than 500 companies. These companies are part of the apprenticeship and hiring program at LaunchCode. If you’re accepted into the apprenticeship program, you may find a job in companies like EdwardJones, Boeing, Spectrum, MasterCard, and World Wide Technology.

Is LaunchCode Worth It?

Yes, LaunchCode is worth it for people who have a flair for technology but don’t have the funds to secure an education. It doesn’t matter if you’re fresh out of school or if you’re a worker who wants to upskill. The bootcamp claims that its graduates go on to earn twice as much as their previous salaries.

While LaunchCode is an excellent bootcamp for coding, it doesn’t currently offer other in-demand tech training in subjects like cyber security and project management. If you’re looking for a bootcamp that offers more variety, consider General Assembly.

LaunchCode Job Placement

LaunchCode doesn’t publish its job placement rate. However, content on the website and testimonials from several successful alumni show that many graduates find fulfilling jobs. The apprenticeship program increases your chances of getting employed right away.

If you excel, the company might decide to retain you as permanent staff. If you aren’t retained or you want to look for other rewarding opportunities, you will still have a high chance of getting employed outside because of your experience and portfolio.

Does LaunchCode Offer a Job Guarantee?

No, LaunchCode does not offer a job guarantee because the program is free to begin with. If you don’t get a job, you don’t get any refund because no payments were made in the first place. This is not to say that LaunchCode isn’t committed to helping students land jobs. Along with the free education, students also have access to job assistance.

How Much Does LaunchCode Cost?

LaunchCode is 100 percent free for fellows who join the apprenticeship or training program. As long as you qualify, you can take advantage of all the benefits included in the fellowship program, launching your career in the process.

How to Pay for LaunchCode

You don’t need to worry about payments because you won’t be making any. The organization was founded and is partially funded by Jim McKelvey, the founder of Square, specifically to address the tech skill shortage in the United States.

Mckelvey noticed that there was a shortage of firsthand tech talent available when he was looking to hire experts for his tech company in St. Louis, his hometown. The bootcamp has helped many people find their places in the tech industry over the years.

While McKelvey is the founder of LaunchCode, he isn’t the only one who funds it. The bootcamp receives money from companies that participate in the apprenticeship program and donations from anyone who wants to support the work. It also gets private and public grants from time to time.

LaunchCode Locations

LaunchCode has its headquarters in St. Louis, but its apprenticeship program is run out of three offices. Its coding courses, meanwhile, are mostly virtual, with some in-person options.

• LaunchCode St. Louis
• LaunchCode Kansas City
• LaunchCode Philadelphia
• LaunchCode Online

The program is free across every location, and everyone enrolled is entitled to career preparedness and mentorship.

LaunchCode Courses

The primary goal of a LaunchCode student is to get admitted into the apprenticeship program. However, those without prior knowledge of coding may take the prep course before moving forward. The prep course is an introduction to coding.

After that, you can take any one of the main courses. These come with exams, and students who pass the exams may apply for the apprenticeship immediately or move on. If you are already experienced in coding, you can apply for an apprenticeship directly.

LaunchCode Prep Courses

There is only one prep course offered by LaunchCode. However, if you take the course and still don’t understand the fundamentals of coding, there are courses from other vendors that you can take to brush up on your coding skills.

1. LaunchCode Discovery – This is LaunchCode’s own online, self-paced course. It is designed to teach you the fundamentals of computer programming. You should be able to complete the curriculum in one to two months. You will learn the basics of coding, essential mathematics, and problem-solving in tech.
2. Introduction to Computer Programming for Beginners by Udemy – During this online course, you will learn the phases of software development and how to become a software engineer. You will also learn the fundamentals of programming languages like C#, SQL, Java, C, C++, and Python. You will get a certificate of completion.
3. Python for Everybody Specialization by Coursera – If you already understand the basics of coding but you don’t have a clue about Python, this course might help. It covers the fundamentals of Python and teaches you how to use Python-based frameworks.
4. Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization by Coursera – This course will prepare you for LaunchCode’s lessons on interactive web design. You will learn how to use JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. You will also learn to use the Document Object Model (DOM) to modify pages.

LC101 – In-Person | Online

This is a web development course that runs for 20 weeks. All enrolled students are expected to attend 20 hours of classes weekly. The entire program has two units. Unit 1 is a deep dive into JavaScript. You will learn everything you need to know about front end development, including Angular, a topic that many bootcamps no longer cover.

Unit 2, the skills track, covers full stack application development with Java and C#. You will also gain some job preparedness during Unit 2. Keep in mind that both group and personal assignments are included in both units, so you will have to make time for that as well.

CoderGirl – Online

This 24-week program is designed specifically for women in tech. If you’re a woman or gender-expansive individual in St. Louis who doesn’t have the funds to pay for the tech training, this option is ideal for you. Each student is also entitled to a mentor who assists them throughout the program and helps them adjust to their new tech career afterward.

The training is different depending on your career path. You can choose to learn how to code with Java, C#, and other programming languages, or you learn how to become a data scientist or data analyst. What’s more, there are UX and UI design classes, as well as a track dedicated to Salesforce.

CodeCamp – In-Person

CodeCamp is an immersive coding bootcamp that runs for 14 weeks. While the curriculum and course structure is similar to LC101, it is more intense, and class sizes are typically smaller.

Another key difference between this program and LC101 is that students who pass are automatically admitted into the paid apprenticeship program. They do not need to apply separately or pass any additional tests.

Liftoff – Online

Whether you learned how to code at LaunchCode or somewhere else, you can apply for Liftoff. It is a career preparedness program that teaches people the non-technical skills they need to find and maintain jobs in the tech industry.

You will learn the current demands of hiring managers in your area. Individuals who enroll in Liftoff automatically qualify for the paid apprenticeship program. The entire program runs for eight weeks.

What Is the LaunchCode Schedule?

For convenience, LaunchCode offers a few different scheduling formats.

Full-Time

Full-time learning is only available for CodeCamp, the most fast-paced web development program. Here you will be expected to devote about 14 weeks of your time, putting in 50 to 60 hours weekly. It is not ideal for people who want to keep their full-time jobs while they study. You will still devote some time to at-home assignments.

Part-Time

If you opt for the Liftoff, LC101, or CoderGirl program, you can hold on to your full-time job. These programs run for eight, 20, and 24 weeks respectively, and require a weekly time commitment of about 20 hours. Like the full-time program, you will need to devote some time to homework.

Flex

The only flex program is the Discovery program, which is the introductory course. When you take the program online at your own pace, you should be able to complete it in four to eight weeks.

How to Get Accepted Into LaunchCode

People from different parts of the United States can apply, but those from St. Louis may be given preference during the admissions process. The process is straightforward. You will get a response from the admissions team shortly after you complete it.

LaunchCode Acceptance Rate

LaunchCode does not publish its acceptance rate.

Application Process

Visit LaunchCode and complete the 10-second assessment. The assessment will help you decide which LaunchCode program is most suitable for you.

There is a simple checklist you must complete before moving forward. You will also be asked if you have a high school diploma or GED. If you don’t have one, you would be asked to get one before you apply.

If you already have professional technical skills, you will be asked to apply for the apprenticeship directly. If you don’t have enough experience, one of the training programs will be recommended.

Interview Questions

The interview questions are regular coding bootcamp interview questions. Only those who meet the requirements based on the initial assessment will be considered for the interview. There is a scheduled interview between you and the representative, who reaches out to you after registration. Some questions you should expect from the interview are listed below.

• Why are you so interested in coding, and how long have you been interested?
• Why did you choose LaunchCode?
• What are your career goals?
• Do you intend to pursue your career goals long-term or short-term?

The interviewer will simply want to see how determined you are to complete the program. The goal is to make sure that only the most deserving people get admitted.

Is LaunchCode Right for You?

Yes, LaunchCode is right for anyone who qualifies. Although it is a free coding bootcamp, it offers industry-specific training that helps every student reach their full potential. The combination of technical and non-technical skills makes students job-ready in a matter of weeks.

Apart from what you will learn during coursework, the apprenticeship program will allow you to get real-world coding experience. You will also have an opportunity to build your portfolio and secure a full-time job with any of LaunchCode’s more than 500 partners.

Most people spend thousands of dollars gathering technical skills in colleges or other coding bootcamps. LaunchCode, however, offers this education for free. There are no hidden charges throughout the program. If you meet the eligibility requirements, all you have to do is attend classes and give it your best shot.

If you want to build a lifelong career in tech or are already in the tech industry and looking for more opportunities, LaunchCode may be right for you.