What is Dev Bootcamp?

Dev Bootcamp is a 10-week intensive training in an intimate class/lab setting. Class is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. We teach people to build Ruby on Rails web applications.

What kind of people are you looking for?

You are a self-starter. You are self-directed and motivated. You are tenacious. Often seen struggling earnestly and relentlessly with a problem, just because you have to figure it out. You are resourceful. You know when you're stuck, and how to ask for help. You are a genuinely kind and good person. Often inclined to give a hand, and see the best in others. Not only is the glass half-full, but you're grateful that there is a glass in the first place. You love learning, and you really, really want to build cool things.

So I'm going to be sitting in class for 40 hours a week?

No. That would be terribly boring and ineffective. You will spend a little time every day learning through curated tutorials and books, and a lot of the time practicing what you learn. You'll work in pairs and small groups on an exciting integrated curriculum. Your brain will be buzzing as you solve problems, tackle challenges, and build applications until you're confident in your mastery of the skills. If you have an idea for a web app you want to build, then definitely bring it.

I don't know any programming. Is that ok?

Absolutely. No previous computer science background is needed. We teach you everything from scratch. However, you do need you to be proficient with a computer.

Do I have what it takes to be accepted?

If you are smart, passionate about learning technology, and driven then yes. You don't need any special super powers to be a programmer. You don't need advanced math or calculus. It's not dark magic. It's a language, and a way of thinking about the world, and anybody who wants to can learn it, and become proficient. Many people don't think this is true. Ignore them.

I have a programming background, should I do this?

Sure. About half our students come to us with some computer science background or other technical experience.

What's the schedule? How many hours per day will I be working?

Everyone needs to be at bootcamp from 10 am to 6 pm. This is where the bulk of the instruction, practice, code reviews, competitions, etc. will take place. Having said that, we expect that folks will want to work more than 8 hours a day (and maybe even weekends).

Can you really become a programmer in 10 weeks?

Software engineering is a craft that takes years of deliberate practice and learning to master. Our goal is to graduate world-class beginners, and jumpstart your journey towards becoming an elite coder. Having said that, we are betting that in 10 weeks you can learn enough programming to start contributing value to an engineering team as an entry level developer, where your learning can continue on the job.

How many people will be in the class?

Do you accept foreign students?

Yes, totally. However, we don't have the resources to offer payment plans or VISA assistance.

Are you guaranteeing me a job?

Nope. Just a kick-ass training.

Do you have a job lined up for me?

Not exactly. We have made connections in the Ruby on Rails world with several companies that need junior Ruby on Rails developers. If they make you a job offer and you accept it, we'll get the referral fee from them and apply it towards your tuition.

How many students will get jobs at the end of the program?

Our goal is for everyone who wants full-time employment to get multiple offers. We expect that 50% of students will have offers soon after graduation.

Does Dev Bootcamp take a percentage of my income when I get a job?

No, we don't take any of your income. Your new employer pays us a fee directly, which is usually 20% of the value of your first year salary. You get paid your full salary.

Can I commit to anything else during the same time?

Don't even think about committing to anything else. If you have a job, quit or take time off. If you're in a relationship, send them a variation of our personal apology letter.

When I hear the word bootcamp I think of pushups. Will there be pushups?

Probably. There will definitely be yoga, stretching, and even basic meditation and mindfulness training. Sitting in front of a computer all day can be tough on the body and mind, and we will be teaching you good habits, and ways to take care of yourself.

Where exactly will this take place?

Our office is located in San Francisco, in the Chinatown district close to downtown. It's a great location. There are TONS of great tech companies nearby, like Twitter, Google SF, DropBox, Square, ZenDesk, FourSquare, Zynga, Instagram, Yammer, and many more.

Dev Bootcamp
717 California St. (at Grant)
San Francisco CA 94108

What does a career in Ruby on Rails look like in the bay area?

Ruby on Rails is a very hot technology. In the United States, the average starting salary for a Ruby on Rails developer is about $75k. In San Francisco and New York, it's closer to $90k.

• Salary sources:
• http://mirrorplacement.com
• http://simplyhired.com
• http://indeed.com
• http://quora.com

But you don't necessarily have to get a job. You can use the skills you gain to build your own startup, effectively manage a technical team, or freelance as a contractor.

Coding is the new literacy. Regardless of your background, or experience, you get to help actively shape our world, instead of just using the systems others have created.

What is the difference between a web application and a web site?

Web sites are static, like an online brochure. Your dentist has a web site. Your bank has a web application. Web applications have a two-way exchange, usually including some form of data input, retrieval and manipulation.

Why are you doing this?

We really want more people to learn how to code, and live better lives. Seriously, we're not just saying that. We also think that college is broken. Recruitment is broken. And we want to make a dent in both of these industries.

Have you done this before?

Our pilot Dev Bootcamp was the spring program in February and March, and we're getting ready to run second Dev Bootcamp this summer.

Feeling adventurous? Apply now for our upcoming 10-week Fall program which runs October 1st to December 7th.

How did students feel about the last Bootcamp?

They loved it. Check out the full survey results from students surveyed after the Spring 2012 program.

Are the teachers Ruby experts?

Our teachers have a wide range of backgrounds, from masters degrees and multiple years of professional coding, to recent graduates from our own program. We're actively developing our technical skills, but our real goal is to be awesome facilitators of learning.

Is food and lodging covered?

No. Besides bringing in some pizza and some coffee every now and then, people would need to pay for their own living expenses. Once the cohort is accepted, we'll send out links for out of towners to coordinate if they want to share accommodation with each other.

Do I need to bring a laptop?

No. We will be providing computers. Having said that, if you have a laptop, bring it. It won't hurt. The workstations we provide are all Mac OS X computers, and we recommend bringing a Mac laptop if you can, though we understand some folks may bring a Windows or Linux laptop.

Is this going to be easy?

No, this will be very hard work. But it should also be a lot of fun. Want to take a leap with us?

I can't do the summer or the fall, are you doing more bootcamps in the future?

We hope so! Interested in a spring 2013 class? Let us know:

I have more questions

Email us: [email protected]