[shawndrost]

If your goal is "become a software engineer", I would recommend you consider other online options. Your rough ROI equation should be "cost = (tuition + time-to-job * delta-in-salary) + cost-of-failure * odds-of-failure" and "odds-of-failure" is the product of graduation rate * job placement rate. Online CS programs tend to have higher time-to-job and unpublished job placement stats. They may still be good options, but this is how I would evaluate.

Other online options:

    * Hack Reactor Remote http://hackreactor.com/remote
        * Disclaimer: I am a cofounder of Hack Reactor
        * "Online classroom" model (work with peers and teachers over videoconf, etc during set hours)
        * Time-to-job: 3 months program + job search, plus you may need a prep class to pass the entry interview
        * Odds-of-failure: See CIRR.org for grad and placement rate
    * Thinkful
        * "Mentor-supported" model (some meetings, lots of flex time)
        * Time-to-job: I think there is some info on CIRR.org
        * Odds-of-failure: See CIRR.org for grad and placement rate
    * Free Code Camp
        * "Self-driven" model (all driven by you, with online text communications and lots of local meetups)
        * Time-to-job: Not sure there is good data on this.
        * Odds-of-failure: See CIRR.org for grad and placement rate

[bhaumik]

re: Thinkful, we have a rigorous, full-time program that matches your definition of "online classroom" as well as a flexible program for those who can only commit part-time. Both offer 1-on-1 mentorship, with stats available on CIRR.org.

OP - you're welcome to ping me (bhaumik@thinkful[dot]com) w/ any specific questions. I run the full-time product.

[unethical_ban]

It looks like an interesting setup, but the requirement to provide email in order to view the syllabus is offputting.

[bhaumik]

Ya I agree it’s annoying. Will flag this with our marketing team.

We teach the MERN stack with some CS theory (basic data structures & algorithms). There’s also a heavy focus on building so your portfolio pieces will start with wireframes and end with deployment and code reviews.

[shawndrost]

Thank you for the update! I would like to edit my original comment to state that both are available, but comments are only editable for a short time. Here's an upvote!

[bhaumik]

Np! Just went through a rebrand to make that a bit clearer. Btw excited to see Harsh build a great team and lead HR, he was great to work with while at MakerSquare :)

[Harelin]

Any possibility Thinkful will support payment through the G.I. Bill in the future?

[bhaumik]

Realistically, that’s looking like a 2019 goal but yes we’d love to offer that fincancial support. We currently offer partial scholarships to veterans for both products.

[Harelin]

Thanks. I'd enroll in a heartbeat if I were able to put my remaining GI Bill benefits towards it today.

[dunkmaster]

This doesn't work for non-US citizens wanting to work in the US