App Academy prides itself on having trained over 4,500 students who have been hired by over 2,000 companies. With a 94 percent average job placement rate, the coding bootcamp has garnered the attention of local and international students alike. Just like any other top tier bootcamp, students must work hard to secure a place amongst the bootcamp’s cohorts.
This is why we have compiled a list of bootcamp interview questions and how to answer them. This guide will take you through pertinent information to help you effectively prepare for App Academy’s interview process. Learn more about App Academy and what to expect in the interview process below.
What to Expect in Your App Academy Interview
You can expect behavioral and technical interview questions during the interview. The booctamp is thorough when it comes to testing an applicant’s coding abilities and behavioral standpoints. The interview sessions feature pair programming, code pair, and verbalized code. It will also feature questions regarding your collaborative skills, communication skills, and general background.
App Academy Technical Interview
App Academy’s technical interview aims to draw insight into your abilities to solve problems and communicate about code to the admissions specialist. This interview stage involves coding challenges and pair programming.
You will need to be swift in solving practical problems, talking through your solutions, and debugging code. You should also have prowess in pinpointing variables in your code. You will go through three coding challenges. The first coding challenge will be pair-programming and the others will be solo programming.
App Academy Behavioral Interview
App Academy’s behavioral interview, also known as a fit interview, helps the admissions specialist learn more about your personality. They seek applicants who will positively impact the cohort. This interview is mostly conducted through Zoom. Therefore, you will need an excellent Internet connection and a webcam. Also, note that the admission team records the interviews for quality assurance.
Is the App Academy Interview Hard?
No, the App Academy interview is not hard. However, if you are not well prepared, the technical interview can be challenging. You will go through various coding challenges that require existing knowledge in programming. You should look into learning Ruby, JavaScript, or Python. Knowing these programming languages will help you during the technical coding challenges.
How Long Does the App Academy Interview Process Take?
The App Academy interview process has no definitive timeline for how long it will take. However, it mimics a regular job interview.
App Academy Technical Interview Questions You Should Expect
Why Is String Final in Java?
This is an excellent question to determine your knowledge in coding using Java. You can use this question to delve deeper into your coding expertise.
Sample Answer
The string in Java is final because it’s immutable. It adds to the security and performance of the Java program.
How Can You Split a String in Java?
This is an opportunity for applicants to showcase their technical knowledge in coding. The interviewer seeks to establish your coding experience and assesses your knowledge of Java, specifically.
Sample Answer
The Java application processing interface (API) allows several methods to split the Strings. You can split a String in Java using a comma, colon, or semicolon.
Which Type of Errors Can Occur When Executing a Computer Program?
This question tests an applicant’s basic knowledge of programming. The panel asks applicants this question to gain an understanding of an applicant’s computer programming knowledge and skills.
Sample Answer
You can get a syntax, logical, and runtime error when running a computer program. Implementing the wrong logic, illegal operations, or making grammatical errors will affect the program at hand.
What is an Algorithm?
This is another question aimed at delving deeper into your technical knowledge. As with the previous technical questions, your answer allows them to gauge your skill level.
Sample Answer
An algorithm is a series of steps that, when followed, provide a particular result. The algorithm features clarity and efficiency. Algorithms are used for problem-solving and executing tasks.
Are You Familiar with Variables?
This question tests your knowledge of program execution. As with many technical questions, panelists choose this question to get a general overview of your technical knowledge.
Sample Answer
Yes. Variables are excellent for storing the input of a program. They also play a role in storing computational results. When the program is being executed, the variable will change the value.
App Academy Non-technical Interview Questions You Should Expect
What Is Your Background and What Are Your Career Goals?
The interviewers often ask this question to better understand who you are and whether your career goals align with their programs. While your answer provides insight into your technical background, they use this question to learn more about you.
Sample Answer
I learned how to code on my own. I started to learn through online tutorials, webinars, and free online courses. This prompted me to seek out more information regarding the tech industry and consequently join the bootcamp program. In the next two years, I am hoping to have acquired professional certifications and landed a job in tech.
Why Is App Academy the Right Fit For You?
This question provides an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your knowledge of the bootcamp. It also helps highlight your personal reasons for joining the bootcamp. It’s often asked during the admission process to understand your learning needs.
Sample Answer
App Academy is the right fit for me because it offers a highly competitive curriculum that will act as the stepping stone to my success. With an average 94 percent job placement rate, App Academy will help steer my career in the right direction. It also offers flexible programs that will accommodate my demanding schedule.
Have You Worked with a Diverse Group of People?
Admission teams are keen to accept applicants who are open-minded because App Academy values diversity. Since the program features plenty of group projects and pair programming, it is key to establish an applicant’s ability to work collaboratively.
Sample Answer
Yes, I have worked with diverse groups of people. I often participate in online group coding projects, which have exposed me to a lot of people from diverse backgrounds. This has given me the ability to relate to anyone regardless of their background.
Do You Have Any Communication Issues?
One of the most important values to have as an applicant is the ability to communicate well. The team wants to establish your ability to communicate with them, other students, and mentors. This is paramount, especially when you will need to explain your code.
Sample Answer
No, I don’t have any communication issues. I minored in communication during my formative years in college, which helped me develop effective communication skills. I’ve also held multiple leadership roles that have required constant communication.
Have You Ever Taught Yourself a New Skill Other Than Coding?
This is a vital behavioral question that determines your ability to learn on your own. Although there will be instructors and mentors to help you streamline your coding skills, you will need to go the extra mile to grasp certain concepts.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Sample Answer
Yes. I taught myself how to use Adobe Photoshop. In my quest to learn web development, I decided to explore image editing. It took me approximately three weeks to learn Adobe Photoshop. I relied on Adobe books, online courses, and tutorials.
What Questions Should I Ask at My App Academy Interview?
Often applicants shy away from asking questions during the admission process. However, asking the team a few solid questions may showcase your desire to join the bootcamp. It will also demonstrate to them that you are meticulous and committed to learning software engineering. Below are questions you should ask at your App Academy interview.
- Is there a final exam after the 16-week software engineering course?
- What is App Academy’s graduation rate?
- What is App Academy’s acceptance rate?
- Does App Academy offer any scholarships?
- Are there any available tuition financing options?
- Do instructors give students feedback?
How to Prepare for the App Academy Interview
To succeed in an interview, applicants need to be well prepared. If you still feel like you are not ready for the App Academy interview, you can use the tips below to polish your skills.
1. Take Advantage of App Academy’s Resources
App Academy provides a series of videos for applicants to utilize before the interview date. They feature three videos to help you establish whether you are prepared, understand interview expectations, and learn what the interviewer is looking for during an interview. They also offer courses to help you familiarize yourself with basic and foreign concepts in programming.
You can also attend Intro to Programming I and Intro to programming II as most of the interview questions are based on the courses’ concepts. You can also rely on the App Academy bootcamp prep course, which will take you through the basics of JavaScript. The course runs for four weeks. There is also App Academy Open and JumpStart, which are free for applicants hoping to join the bootcamp.
2. Practice the Different Skills
It is not enough that you attend the bootcamp’s coding courses. You must go a step further and explore programming. You should work on practice problems that will help you during the technical interview. Ensure you can solve these problems in under 15 minutes. You should also look into debugging exercises.
Part of the technical interview involves diagnosing and fixing bugs, which will showcase your coding ability. It is important that you develop skills in talking through solutions during the debugging process. The admissions team will expect you to explain your solutions in an easy-to-understand way. You can also practice pair programming to demonstrate that you can work in teams.
4. Read App Academy Alumni Reviews
You can seek more information about the technical and non-technical interview by speaking to a former App Academy student. App Academy alumnus can give you an inside look at the bootcamp and proper guidance on how to ace the interview. You can also find out what current students have to say about App Academy interviews below.
What Students Have to Say About App Academy Interviews
Anonymous
Type of interview: General Interview
“Was a fairly straightforward interview process, although I highly recommend completing the bootcamp prep course that they offer. ”
Anonymous
Type of interview: General Interview
“It was really challenging. You need about a month to prepare. You can choose whether you want to be tested in Ruby or JS. Me, personally, I took their Bootcamp prep and it fully prepared me for the interview.”
Anonymous
Type of interview: General Interview
“Take the bootcamp prep, know it well, practice, and you’ll be prepared. They let you know what soft skill questions will be asked. Do your homework, practice your personal pitch. Practice coding out loud, as to describe your thought process.”
How Long Does It Take to Hear Back From App Academy After the Interview?
It’s not quite clear how long it takes for a prospective student to hear back from App Academy after the interview. However, the application and admission process is said to take about four weeks.
What Is the App Academy Application Process?
The App Academy application process is not as challenging as you may expect, though they do have a reputation of having a very low acceptance rate. Nonetheless, whether you are a beginner or an expert in programming, App Academy will still offer you an equal opportunity to join the bootcamp. Follow the step-by-step guide below to join App Academy.
- Verify your eligibility. You must be 18 years old or older before applying for the program. You should also note that the 16-week full-time software engineering program only accepts students from San Francisco and New York. The 24-week program accepts local and international students.
- Fill in the application form. The form consists of your full name, date of birth, education, and professional experience.
- Once you submit your application, you will receive a phone call to schedule your screening process.
- In this step, you will be screened verbally and logically. They will also check your problem-solving skills. Once you are finished, you will receive study materials to prepare you for the next steps. The materials feature live lectures and forums.
- Complete coding challenges a few weeks after you have received the study materials.
- The next step is the technical and non-technical interview. The technical interview features five questions that assess your technical skills. The fit interview features five questions that test your interpersonal skills.
- Once you complete the interviews, you will receive communication from the team in a matter of weeks.
Am I Ready for the App Academy Interview?
Yes, you are ready for the App Academy interview. After reading this guide, you’ll have all of the App Academy interview tips you need to gain acceptance into the bootcamp. However, if you still feel unprepared, you can learn about coding bootcamp interview questions and processes online.
Conducting more research will only positively impact your interview outcome. It will also help you develop the confidence you need to tackle the challenges and questions as you see fit.
App Academy Interview Questions FAQ
App Academy asks behavioral interview questions to see if the applicants are fit for the bootcamp. Admissions decisions are partially based on your presentation skills, English proficiency, resilience, work ethic, teamwork skills, and enthusiasm. These are vital qualities that ensure a candidate will be successful during and after the program.
During the App Academy interview, you should avoid using filler words. It is important that you stick to your point and confidently articulate why you are the right fit for App Academy. Do not downplay your achievements or give generic answers.
On the day of the interview, you should show up early. You should also test your webcam, dress professionally, and check your video background. It is also important to check your email to verify the exact interview time.
No, you do not need any experience to join App Academy. The coding bootcamp is open to beginners and experts who are passionate about upskilling or reskilling. If you are a complete beginner, you can take advantage of App Academy Jump Start, App Academy Open, or the Bootcamp Prep Live course.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
