App Academy Review 2024

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App Academy in a Nutshell

Overview

App Academy is a US-based coding bootcamp that was founded in 2012. It has grown to become one of the top-rated bootcamps available, and it has received a range of awards from various industry bodies in 2023.

One of the most unique features of App Academy is that it only offers one full-length program. This is its Software Engineering Bootcamp, which follows a rigid format in both the part-time and full-time options. 

There’s also a short Bootcamp Prep course that’s self-paced and much cheaper. For those on a tight budget, there’s the App Academy Open program, which offers access to the full curriculum of the Software Engineering Bootcamp without guided learning and help from instructors. 

What is App Academy? 

App Academy is a coding bootcamp that’s suitable for anyone looking for a career in software engineering or a similar field. Its paid program offers a high-quality interactive teaching experience with regular contact with instructors and other students. 

The full-time Software Engineering Bootcamp lasts for 24 weeks, and you’ll need to be available to attend classes from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (PST). The part-time option takes 48 weeks, but it includes evening and weekend classes that are designed for working professionals.

One of the things I like best about App Academy’s Software Engineering program is the range of skills it teaches. You’ll gain working proficiency in JavaScript, Python, SQL, HTML, CSS, and more. You’ll also learn to work with various web development frameworks and other tools that will help you succeed as a developer. 

The lack of flexible study options means that this course is best suited to people who can commit to a set study schedule each week. On the plus side, it teaches students how to work in a fast-paced development environment, gaining real-world coding skills.

Is App Academy Safe and Reliable? 

App Academy is a safe, reliable coding bootcamp that’s backed by a great reputation and 11 years of top-quality service. It receives an average rating of 4.7/5 or above on most review sites, and students report a supportive, interactive learning environment. 

On top of this, App Academy is licensed by the New York State Education Department and approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Although it lacks national accreditation, these state certifications speak volumes about the quality of its program. 

How App Academy Works

App Academy offers on-campus and online software engineering bootcamps that are designed to take you from zero coding knowledge to an experienced software engineer. Its online course is available in full-time (24-week) and part-time (48-week) formats. 

One thing I’m not personally a huge fan of is the lack of flexibility in App Academy’s courses. You’ll have to attend scheduled online lectures and classes—even on the part-time course. However, this does make it an attractive option if you struggle with self-motivation or with completing self-paced learning. 

How to apply to App Academy

I worked through App Academy’s application process, and I found it a little long-winded to complete. On the bright side, the admissions team was friendly, and I didn’t run into any problems along the way. 

Applying to App Academy can be broken down into five clear steps. 

Step 1: Application. First up, you’ll need to complete a short online application where you’ll be asked to enter a small amount of information about your background, personal details, and why you want to study software engineering at App Academy. This step should only take around 10 minutes. 

Step 2: Non-Technical Assessments. Following this, you’ll need to take a 30-minute assessment that’s designed to measure your typing and logical reasoning skills. I found this quite simple, and you’ll have two attempts to pass. 

Step 3: Interview. Once you’ve passed the non-technical assessment, you’ll need to schedule an online interview with an App Academy admissions team member. You’ll be asked a series of non-technical questions about yourself and your passion for coding. 

Step 4: Acceptance. If your admissions interview goes well, you’ll be accepted into the course and provided with the next steps. Your Admissions Specialist will walk you through this. 

Step 5: Technical Challenges. Finally, you’ll need to complete a selection of project-based technical challenges before you can commence your bootcamp. You’ll be provided with a range of materials to help you, and this step ensures you have a sufficient level of base knowledge to succeed in the course. 

One thing to note is that App Academy has a very low acceptance rate. Although I couldn’t confirm exact figures with the company, estimates put it somewhere around 5%.

Prerequisites

Like most coding bootcamps, App Academy has few prerequisites other than the desire to learn and work hard. The only other requirements that prospective students have to meet are: 

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent  

• Have a computer

If you want to apply for one of App Academy’s financing options rather than paying upfront, you may have to meet other minimum criteria. For example, these are only available to US citizens or permanent residents. 

Cost

App Academy’s Software Engineering Bootcamp is available online full-time, online part-time, and on-campus full-time. You can pay upfront for the best price—$17,000-$22,000—or take advantage of one of the financing options, which all involve monthly payments over a defined period—usually 36 months. 

For starters, eligible students can apply for a Climb Credit loan, which you will pay back in monthly installments once you begin class. California and New York residents can take advantage of the Deferred Plan, which requires monthly payments, but only after you’ve found a job. 

There’s also the Income Share Agreement (ISA) option for US citizens and permanent residents, which I’m a big fan of. It can be a little expensive, but you won’t have to start paying back your loan until you get a job. You’ll pay 15% of your income each month for 36 months, up to the maximum amount—as shown in the table below. 

Since the ISA is based on a percentage of your income, you’ll pay significantly less if you start with a low-paid job. You’ll also pay nothing if you don’t find a job within three years—and are following the App Academy Job Search Agreement. 

App Academy also offers a short, self-paced Bootcamp Prep course that’s available online and in-person and costs from $500 to $3,795. Students from underrepresented communities—female, Native American, Latino/Hispanic, etc.—can also access scholarships that cover up to 50% of tuition. 

App Academy Student Resources

App Academy’s course structure is designed to provide regular contact with tutors and instructors. This ensures that you’ll be able to access daily support every step of the way through your program. 

You’ll also be able to access different levels of support throughout your journey with App Academy.

Pre-admissions

Before you’re accepted as a student with App Academy, you can contact the customer service team by submitting an online support request. You can also schedule a call with a dedicated admissions team member to discuss your options. 

Apart from this, you can access the App Academy Open program for free, take the short Bootcamp Prep course, or take advantage of the FAQs and informational blog to learn more about the institution. 

During your bootcamp

During the Software Engineering Bootcamp, you’ll have access to everything you need through your online study portal. You’ll also be able to reach out to a range of people for extra support. 

For starters, there’s your module instructor, the person who teaches each module. They can provide general assistance during lectures and Q&A sessions. You’ll also be able to access technical and learning support via a dedicated Slack channel. 

And last, but certainly not least, you’ll have constant access to a career advisor who can help you plan your career and search for your first position. 

Post-graduation

App Academy alumni can access a range of support services through the Talent Services team. You can receive career coaching, which includes interview prep and negotiation coaching. On top of this, there are various networking options, and you can access a range of recruitment and job placement opportunities through the Alumni Recruiter.

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App Academy Alternatives

How App Academy compares with other tech bootcamps

App Academy vs. Thinkful

Thinkful offers a wider range of courses than App Academy, and it’s a more affordable option. However, its course structure is much less rigid, and it doesn’t have the same contact hours as App Academy. Because of this, I’d recommend Thinkful if you want a self-guided coding bootcamp, while I’d suggest looking at App Academy for a more structured program. 

App Academy vs. Fullstack Academy

Fullstack Academy offers six courses that, like App Academy’s Software Engineering Bootcamp, are available on a full-time and a part-time basis. Its courses range from 10-28 weeks long, compared to App Academy’s 24-48 weeks. This makes Fullstack Academy an attractive choice for a super fast-paced, intensive learning experience. 

App Academy vs. DeVry University

DeVry University offers a selection of coding programs that take significantly longer than App Academy’s Software Engineering Bootcamp to complete. Its prices are competitive considering the length of its courses, but I’d recommend App Academy as a more attractive option for getting your tech career kickstarted. 

Bottom Line

In my experience, App Academy is a high-quality online coding bootcamp for anyone who wants to enter the web development and/or software engineering world. Its Software Engineering Bootcamp leaves students equipped to start a career in tech immediately. 

The program is available in part-time and full-time formats, and you’ll receive full instructor assistance and complete guidance every step of the way. It’s a little pricey, but it’s worth every cent if you’re willing to commit to months of intensive study. 

FAQs

Is App Academy legit? 

Yes, App Academy is a legit coding bootcamp with an excellent reputation. Its Software Engineering Bootcamp teaches a wide range of skills and programming languages, and it leaves students equipped to kickstart their careers in tech. 

How hard is it to get into App Academy? 

App Academy’s application process is quite straightforward, and you don’t have to have any prior knowledge before you begin studying. However, the acceptance rate is reported to be around 5%, which means that you’ll need to impress during your application to be considered. 

How much does App Academy cost? 

App Academy’s Software Engineering Bootcamp ranges from $17,000 to $22,000 if you pay upfront. There are also various financing and deferred payment options, but these are significantly more expensive, reaching almost double the price of paying upfront.