In 2012, venture capitalist Adam Enbar and self-taught computer programmer Avi Flombaum, both of whom with a passion for education, had a clear mission. They wanted to create an alternative education model that gave students 21st-century tech skills that would eventually lead them to success in a growing tech world.
With this mission in mind, they founded Flatiron School. Nine years later, the tech bootcamp is regarded as one of the pioneers in the edtech space, offering immersive and job-focused courses in Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity Engineering, and Product Design. To top it off, all courses are available on a full-time or flexible schedule, allowing a diverse pool of students to attend its top-rated bootcamp.
So, how do you get into this tech bootcamp?
To attend Flatiron School, applicants must undergo a thorough five-step admissions process. This process is designed to ensure a good fit between the student, the school, and the course they want to attend.
Flatiron School has a thorough five-step admissions process that ensures students are ready and fully prepared to start working on their new tech careers.
Apply to Flatiron School today.A Guide to the Flatiron School’s Admissions Process
The admissions process begins upon submitting your application and ends when you complete pre-work for your course. There are five steps in Flatiron School’s admissions process.
Step 1: Apply
The first step is to apply online on the Flatiron School website. The application form requires basic personal information and your motivation to start a new career with the bootcamp.
Step 2: Admissions Interview
Once Flatiron School receives your application, a member of the admissions team will reach out and schedule an admissions interview. The interview may be done over Zoom or the phone and can last for about 20 to 30 minutes.
The call is more of a conversation than an interview and doesn’t require any preparation. The admissions rep will ask you about the course you’re interested in, the program pace that fits your lifestyle, and your career goals. You won’t be tested on your technical acumen during this interview. Instead, you’ll be asked questions like, “Why is now the right time for you to start this career?” and “Do you enjoy collaborating with other students?”
This is also an opportunity for the applicant to clarify any concerns or questions about Flatiron School. You’ll also learn more about the rest of the application process and the course, such as computer requirements, prework, and deadlines.
Step 3: Admissions Assessment
The admissions assessment is a cognitive aptitude test composed of three different categories of questions: verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning.
The test assesses the applicant’s problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and ability to learn new information. Again, this assessment will not ask you about your coding skills. The questions presented are more similar to brain teasers rather than technical interview questions.
The goal is to determine your ability to learn and comprehend the skills taught in the courses. The ability to problem-solve and critical thinking skills are essential for all Flatiron School students, as they are essential for any tech job.
The assessment lasts 15 minutes and includes approximately 50 questions. You should answer at least 20 to 30 questions in the given time. If you’re dissatisfied with your assessment score, you can retake it. Once you complete the admissions assessment, your score is recorded in Flatiron School’s system and becomes part of your application.
Step 4: Admissions Decision
The final admissions decision will depend on three factors: your written application, the admissions interview, and the admissions assessment. All of these play a role in determining if there is a good fit between you and the school. It takes about one to two business days for the admissions rep to inform the applicant of the decision.
Step 5: Prework
Once you get accepted, you’ll need to sit through the pre-work. As the name suggests, the pre-work is meant to serve as a warm-up for the intensive training that will follow once classes begin. Each course has different pre-work requirements. For example, the Software Engineering program requires 60 hours of pre-work, while the Cybersecurity Engineering program has about 30 to 40 hours of pre-work.
This preparation ensures that all students have the same foundation when the course starts. Pre-work is considered part of the admissions process, and students are given the necessary support and guidance while they complete it.
The admissions process is in place to ensure that an applicant is ready for the course they’ve chosen. It also informs the admissions team about where the applicant is in their life and career, including their level of interest and capabilities for the program. Ultimately, the admissions process determines your readiness to find success with Flatiron School.
How to Pass Flatiron School’s Admissions Process
Now that you have a better idea of what’s behind the admission process, you might be asking yourself, “What’s the best way to prepare?” The Flatiron School acceptance rate is only six percent, which means the admissions process is quite unforgiving. To help you out, here are several tips to get accepted into Flatiron School.
James Guajardo is the Director of Admissions at Flatiron School and oversees the admissions team. Because of his position, James has seen numerous applicants become successful students. He generously offered his thoughts and some practical advice on how to prepare yourself for Flatiron School.
James shares that there are essential questions an applicant should be asking themselves even before they start the application process. “What skills are you looking to learn and what program are you most interested in? What are your career goals? Are you comfortable with technical terms, and enjoy solving problems? Do you plan to work during your program or quit your job? Are you looking to take classes full-time or part-time? What type of learner are you, do you need a structured class and schedule, or more flexibility?” said James.
“Flatiron School offers programs that fit our students wherever they are in their life. So, for someone who is looking for a rigorous, structured program and wants to get this done as quickly as possible, we have our full-time live program. On the other hand, another student could be in a different situation and needs more flexibility-balancing work and family responsibilities, if so, we have our part-time Flex program to fit their needs ”
It really comes down to determining your interests, readiness for a career change, and which pathway suits your lifestyle and career goals,” he continued.
Once a student has decided to apply to Flatiron School, James advises them to submit an application form as soon as possible and begin to attend some of our free events. “If you’re ready to make a change in your career, don’t wait to apply. We’re here to help guide students through the admissions process. The sooner a student applies, the sooner we can answer your questions and get you on the right track to reach your goals. Additionally, our classes fill up quickly and we want to ensure you have the best options of start dates to choose from for your schedule
“I always recommend students submit their application sooner than later because sometimes, people are hesitant. They think they need to be ready and have perfect timing in their life to apply and talk with an admissions representative. In reality, we’re here to help guide you, answer your questions, advise you on your options, and even help you prepare for classes. Maybe you’re not ready to start quite yet, but you should start the conversation with us so we can help you get on the right track ” he said.
Research and preparation are also an important part of the admissions process. James advises applicants to start their research even before applying.
“Check out our free bootcamp prep courses and free events. There are free intro lessons and events on our website. Both help students get a better feel for our curriculum and help build their foundational skills, ultimately to see if this is something they want to do. This should happen before they dive deeper into the admissions process and take this step in their career. It’s a great place to explore.”
“Some students think that they’re interested in data science, but after they do the intro courses, they find software engineering is maybe a better pathway for them. Also, come prepared for your interview with questions. The more prepared you are, the more time we can spend diving into the details.”
Who Can Apply to Flatiron School?
James shared that there is no ideal Flatiron School student in terms of technical background and skills. However, Flatiron School understands certain traits are needed for a student to find success.
“We have a wide variety of students with diverse backgrounds that come from all walks of life. It’s hard to narrow it down to one ideal student. One thing they have in common is that they’re all determined to make a positive change in their career. That definitely stands out,” James said.
“To add to that, they [the students] have an aptitude for tech. They’re passionate about their specific disciplines—they’re passionate about coding, data, cyber, or design. They have a level of grit and determination that helps them get through our programs and make this change in their career.”
“I would say they also enjoy learning and solving problems. They’re naturally curious. Ultimately, they’re ready to invest their time and themselves to transform their career path,” continued James.
Lastly, roadblocks may happen during your application process, but they should not stop you from pursuing your goals. “One major roadblock that we often hear about is imposter syndrome. That’s referring to those who have self-doubt or believe they’re not capable of learning code, data science, or cybersecurity. Thinking that they need to be perfect to get started. That can be a paralyzing roadblock for people, a feeling that maybe they’re not worthy of achieving greater career success,” James said.
“Students can combat that by believing in themselves and knowing that there’s never a perfect time or perfect candidate for our programs. If they’re ready to make a change in their career and get into tech, reach out and let us help you.
“Don’t be afraid to express your goals and your challenges during the interview process. We specialize in helping students elevate their careers into tech and understand this is a big decision for them and there is a lot to consider so let’s get the conversation going about how to help get you there and how to overcome any potential challenges.“
The admissions process may seem daunting, but Flatiron School’s admissions team is ready to help anyone interested in making a change in their life.
Are You Ready to Apply?
If you’ve decided that you’re ready to explore a new career, James has this final piece of advice.
“You can do this. You can do this 100 percent. I think we’ve proven it time and time again. I love seeing the success stories from our graduates and alumni getting these great jobs. They’re in a completely different space in their life. It’s amazing to see where students have begun and their journey towards starting their new tech careers. Any of them is a great representation that anybody can do this, you can do this, and we’re here to help you,” James said.
The admissions process is Flatiron School’s first step in helping students find success in tech, in any program that they decide to take. To begin your journey, start your Flatiron School application here.
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