[rycho]

i am a novice programmer (learn python the hard way, codecademy, coursera, etc), but i'd do anything for a chance like this.

does anyone have any advice on what specific skills/areas to work on to maybe have chance at admittance into this program next time around? i don't think i have anything worth submitting for the may 2 deadline.

[nicholasjbs]

Hacker School founder here. Some thoughts on how to get started:

Choose a single language, and focus just on that. Python (which it looks like you've already started with), is a good choice. Spend some time with books, online classes, etc, but spend ~80% of your time actually programming and not just reading. Start with small projects that take you an afternoon and gradually increase in size as you successfully complete them (some ideas: a game of hangman, a game of tic-tac-toe, a game of tic-tac-toe with artificial intelligence). Find someone you know who's a better programmer than you are, and ask him or her to review your code -- going over the code together is best. Do this repeatedly, if possible. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what all of your code is doing. Learn to debug systematically (i.e., when something doesn't work, don't just change your code randomly -- read the error message or look at the output, think about what might be wrong, form a hypothesis, and then change your code accordingly).

Most importantly: Don't give up, and have fun!

I hope this helps and I hope to see you apply sometime down the line!

EDIT: To more directly answer your question, we look for smart, friendly, intellectually curious people who enjoy programming and want to get dramatically better. We care much more about people demonstrating that they can get a good understanding of one language than a shallow understanding of lots of languages.

[davidbalbert]

One thing to add to this: It very well might be worth applying to this batch. Even if you don't get in, We'll get to see how much you grew as a programmer on your own between batches. If we have this information during admissions, we put a lot of weight on it.

[vgm]

Former Hacker Schooler and also a novice programmer at the time of applying.

Nicholas' edit is true in my experience: HS cares more about your desire to become a better programmer, which is not a function of how good you are now.

[rycho]

wow, didn't expect to get a response from the founder! thanks a lot for your suggestions.

sounds like i should definitely stay focused on python for now and develop some projects with that language, as opposed to reading lots of books on lots of different languages.

i've saved your post and i plan on following your advice and applying. thanks again! experienced guidance is rare and valuable as self-teacher.

[nicholasjbs]

Happy to help, and good luck! :)

[Evbn]

Norvig is a great scientist and teacher, but you don't need this. In Residence concept is a throwback to the bad old days of exclusionary education. We have the Internet and great books (Norvig wrote one) and MOOCs the future is egalitarian.

[freyr]

Couldn't disagree more. The experience of receiving personal attention and guidance from a brilliant and skilled mentor is simply not replicated through a book or MOOC.

Not to say books and MOOCs can't be excellent learning tools, but you're creating an either-or fallacy.

[riggins]

In Residence concept is a throwback to the bad old days of exclusionary education.

considering Hacker School is free, I find this claim pretty indefensible.

[Evbn]

It may be free, but it isn't open to all. They have an admissions gate, aka "picking winners".

[sitong]

Watching a veteran debug their way through a problem in person is equal parts fascinating and humbling. When you're one person, you're limited by the scope of what you can learn/accomplish on your own time, but when you're one of many, you can pool that time and expertise to really accomplish some amazing things. It's true that the internet is a force for equality but more often than not, apprenticeship and hacking together is faster and more fun :)

[jacquesm]

Strong disagree here.

nothing beats learning hands on from a pro.

[rdl]

I don't get why you're so down on it. Yes, MOOCs have more chance to change the lives of a larger number of people because they scale better, but MOOCs, books, "just do it and see what breaks", formal education, and bootcamps like this all make sense.

You could arrange something like hacker school in your home town too, if you wanted to recreate this.