There’s never been a better time to start a career as a web developer. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, there’s consistent demand for web developers who can creatively solve problems and implement robust, sustainable solutions.
Whether you’re a career-changer serious about becoming a full-stack web developer, an entrepreneur with an idea you want to build from scratch, or a recent undergrad ready to ramp up your technical skill set, you likely have a number of questions about the best way for you to learn web development.
Here we’ve compiled a list of most frequently asked questions about our flagship Web Development Immersive course — also available online — to help give you a better sense of what this full-time, 12-week program is all about.
Q: Why should I take the full-time course instead of a combination of part-time courses?
Our Web Development Immersive course is a more robust learning experience than our part-time courses and includes content that is exclusive to its curriculum. It is designed for people looking to start new careers or launch their own businesses.
Graduates will have a full-stack set of developer skills featuring a wide range of coding languages and become part of an Outcomes program that is not offered to our part-time students.
Q: What practical skill sets can I expect to have after completing this course?
By the end of our Web Development Immersive, you will be able to:
- Create responsive web pages for modern browsers using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Develop back-end web applications and application program interfaces (APIs) using modern programming languages and MVC web development frameworks.
- Build a richly interactive, single-page front-end for your application using a modern framework like Angular or React.
- Consume web APIs from third-party sites such as Twitter or Yelp.
- Write secure applications and deploy them to cloud services like Heroku.
- Collaborate as a team using Git and GitHub, widely accepted collaboration practices, and an agile development workflow.
Q: What can I expect to accomplish by the end of this course?
By the end of our Web Development Immersive, you will have:
- Completed several individual and group projects, including one primary portfolio piece.
- Learned about web development tools and techniques from experienced practitioners.
- Networked with some of the best developers, companies, and entrepreneurs in your local community.
- Gained the foundational knowledge you need to begin a career of continuous learning in the field.
Q: What does my tuition cover?
- Twelve weeks of full-time training in web development skills, methods, and best practices.
- Access to a dedicated group of career-building pros who help you land a job after graduation.
- Personalized job search support and exclusive networking opportunities.
- Additional alumni perks, including discounts, workshop credits, online classes, and more.
Q: What kind of community will I find in this course?
Our Web Development Immersive course attracts eager learners who are as passionate about growing and launching a new career as you are. Their backgrounds span professions in design, product management, and many other fields. The General Assembly experience creates lasting friendships and collaborations that will support you throughout a lifetime of discovery.
Q: How do I know that I’m ready for this course?
You do not have to be an experienced developer to enroll in this course. Candidates will be expected to show familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript during the admissions process, but we have tools in place that can help you prepare. We will also provide you with approximately 60 hours of pre-work once you are admitted.
Q: How does the admissions process work?
There are several ways students start the process with admissions. Some start by reading through the syllabus, some consult one of our admissions specialists to ask specific questions, others attend an information session, and others dive right in by filling out an application. If you’re not sure where to start, just ask! We don’t believe in high-pressure anything. You’re the one sitting in class, you’re the one making the investment — this needs to be your idea, but we’ll help you get there and be your advocate throughout the process.
Once you’re ready, our admissions process is comprised of four steps and is designed to elicit the core traits we’ve seen help students succeed in and after the program. First, you’ll submit an application. Once we receive it, we score it and move select applicants forward to a phone screen. During the phone screen we are looking to understand more about your professional and technical backgrounds. This helps us ensure we point you down the right path and best prepare you for success in achieving your goals.
You’ll also have the chance to ask us any questions you have along the way. After your successful phone screen, we’ll move you on to start some pre-admit work and select a date for an in-person interview. During the interview we’ll ask you brain teasers and logic questions, and discuss the pre-admit assignment you completed. This is your chance to describe or demonstrate how to build a simple program, and more.
If you’re not sure where to start or you want to try tech on to see if it fits you, you can check to see if your local campus has any upcoming admissions events and info sessions — that way you can meet the team, see our campus, and meet students outside of the formal admissions process. It’s always a good idea to check out the place you’re going to spend a lot of time at!
Q: What do you look for in students?
We’re looking for extremely motivated and committed students who are excited about problem solving. To be more specific, we’re looking for motivated, sharp, creative technologists who want to be part of a collaborative community. You don’t have to have coded extensively before; however, we do want to know you’ve explored programming enough to know this is what you want to do full-time. The application, phone screen, pre-admit work, and interview with GA staff or alumni reflect this. Plus, the pre-course work is designed to get everybody to the same common denominator on Day 1 of class. After that, the pace increases substantially. Get excited!
Q: Who are my classmates?
WDI students have a wide range of backgrounds and hail from all industries, age groups, and parts of the world.
Your classmates will also vary some in skill level and goal for the program — some want to become coders immediately after the program while others have longer paths for learning web development. Some want to learn enough to build an MVP and hire a technical co-founder while others want to learn enough web development to become a technical product manager or even better freelancer.
We’re open to and embrace many types of learners.
Q: I joined the program to get a job. How will I do that?
The program is built to prepare you for a new career. Through oral quizzes, regular demos of your work, guest speakers and panels, job-prep “bootcamps,” and individual feedback on your portfolio and resume, you’ll have opportunities to get ready for interviews.
In addition, we hold two main hiring events after the program ends: a meet-and-greet event with potential full-time employers, and interviews for GA’s Apprenticeship Program. At these events, you’ll get to showcase your work and learn about job opportunities.
You can learn more about how we help our alumni succeed on Outcomes at GA.
Q: What technical requirements do I need to succeed?
WDI focuses on using Mac computers in the classroom. Macs tend to be the industry standard for web development, and are often easier to work with while installing applications and troubleshooting issues. Because of this, we strongly recommended that you use a Mac for class. Instructors can attempt to help if you encounter a problem on a PC, but you should assume that, if you do not use a Mac, you will be responsible for resolving any issues that may arise.
Q: Do you have financing options available?
Financial hurdles shouldn’t keep you from achieving your goals. In addition to payment plans, we offer a few different financing options, including Skills Fund, Climb, Future Finance, Pave, WeLend, and ZipMoney, so you can focus on what counts — your education.
Q: What about scholarship opportunities?
GA has partnered with tech industry leaders such as Microsoft, Google, Hirepurpose, Alexis Ohanian, and Nas (yes, the rapper), to offer generous scholarships to help veterans, women, and minorities become less underrepresented in the tech industry.
Opportunity Fund is available to individuals who have both been accepted to an Immersive program and identify with one of the underrepresented groups associated with the scholarships available.
Still feeling curious? Feel free to contact us at admissions@ga.co or call our global campus +1 (877) 348-5665. Better yet, sign up to attend our next WDI info session on the campus nearest you.