Are you wondering how to make your application stand out?  Curious what our Admissions team looks for? Our hope is this blog can send you in the right direction in creating the best application possible!  

Our coding bootcamps prepare students for a complete career change into tech.  Many of our students start in entry-level Software Developer roles after graduation.  Our bootcamps cover lessons in both technical skills as well as career search prep, through our career services team. We’ll explore three different ways to ensure you’re leaving the best impression in your application process: Preparation, Logistics and Things to Consider.

Grand Circus’ Tips to Complete an Awesome Coding Bootcamp Application

Preparing to Apply

From the beginning to the end of your journey, taking bootcamp seriously is imperative.  This journey starts before you even apply! In applications, we look for students that have taken the time to put themselves on the right path to be a successful bootcamp student. When preparing to fill out your application responses, think about these questions and how you can incorporate the answers into your application:

• Why is Grand Circus a good fit for you?
• What characteristics and traits make you a good fit for a coding bootcamp?
• What inspires you to have a career in tech?
• Are you passionate about learning to code?  What is your reasoning for wanting to attend a bootcamp?  If coding is not something you believe you’re truly passionate about, you must consider if you will be happy in a career in technology.  
• Have you had any coding experience (of any kind!)? If not, you might want to consider taking one of our free classes or a workshop with us. Although they aren’t required to apply, it’s a great step in preparing!

Other ways to prepare include doing your research on Grand Circus and Coding Bootcamps, our blog is a great place to start!  

• 7 Traits of a Successful Bootcamp Student
• Step by Step Becoming a Coding Bootcamp Student
• The Secret to Being a Successful Bootcamp Student
• Programming Languages

Taking a free class or workshop first to get a feel for our classroom.  Taking a class with us can help you to understand the Grand Circus learning environment and if coding is right for you.  Getting a feel for our classroom can also help you determine if a Full Time Bootcamp or After Hours Bootcamp is best for you.  Full Time Bootcamps run are 12 weeks long, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm, After Hours Bootcamps run for 26 weeks, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, 6:30pm – 10pm.  Both bootcamps cover the same amount of content, After Hours tends to be a better option for those who hope to keep their current full-time positions while attending a bootcamp.

Logistics of the Coding Bootcamp Application

The details matter!  Although it might not seem like it, small things like spelling, grammar and using complete sentences can impact your application.  Small details will help the first impression our application team has of you. A few small tips that will make a huge difference:

• Take your time, don’t rush through the process and think about your answers carefully.
• Fill out the application on a desktop or laptop, rather than a mobile device.
• Have someone review it and read it over, it’s always helpful to have an extra set of eyes before you press submit!

Things to Consider before a Coding Bootcamp

Becoming a bootcamp student can be a big adjustment and major time commitment, thinking through these questions can help determine if you’re ready to apply.  Bootcamps take a lot of work beyond the walls of the classroom, so there are logistics to consider to make this possible.

• What will you do if your application is accepted?  At this time, you should start to think about life planning, financing, career options and beyond.  Think about how your life is going to change while attending a bootcamp with us, what obstacles might you have to overcome?  
  • Alumni Wisdom: Tips for Surviving & Thriving
  • Alumni Wisdom: Life After Bootcamp
• This is our very first impression of you as a student.  Often times short answers with little to no details cannot provide us enough information to begin to get to know you.  Think about how you can portray who you are in the application, what is going to make you a good student at Grand Circus?
• Have you had coding experience?  If so, make sure that’s portrayed in the application.

We’re looking forward to reading your awesome applications!  If you have any questions, reach out to us at Info@GrandCircus.co

You’ve done it. After weeks of careful research and planning you’ve finally completed your application to a coding bootcamp and taken the next step on your journey to a career in tech. But as you finally build up the courage to hit submit, you can’t help but think: “what’s next?”

While the application is an important part of gaining admission into a coding bootcamp, it is just one step in a larger process that allows tech training companies like Grand Circus to get to know you as a person, a professional and a student. With the application complete, it’s time for you to start thinking about thinking about the next important step: the interview. (more…)

Whether you’re new to programming or already working in tech, coding resources to continue your growth are vital. A coding bootcamp is a great learning experience, but your growth as a programmer should always continue. Learning new skills after graduation is essential, both on the job and independently. There are a world of free and affordable resources available to developers just like you. Here are a few alumni favorites!

(more…)

Wondering how to start the journey into one of Grand Circus’ Coding Bootcamps?  This blog is your step by step guide for success as a Coding Bootcamp Student at Grand Circus.

Step 1: FREE Intro to Coding Workshop (more…)

You’re gearing up for bootcamp—you’ve taken classes, passed unit one and made sure your technical bases are covered. But, have you thought about how to prepare for life outside of bootcamp as well?

Joining a coding bootcamp is a big commitment, but one worth the time and financial investment. It requires support from others, solid organization and some preparation that you might not be thinking about.

Never fear! We have the wisdom of Grand Circus alumni (and one program manager) en masse to share with you. They’ve gone through a bootcamp and can share their best advice for not just finishing a bootcamp, but being your best self, the whole time. (more…)

This piece was written by Erica Freedman, Content Marketing and Client Services Specialist at SwitchUp.org

With the amount of tech programs and bootcamps currently available in the market, choosing the right one can prove difficult. To narrow down your choices, you may have looked to sites like SwitchUp, or Quora to read reviews of previous students or reached out to alumni online. (more…)

We are always super excited to meet people who are ready for a career in tech. Our coding bootcamps prepare people like you to work as an entry-level web developer. Our application process ensures students are ready for success in our fast-paced, multi-week training. So, what do we look for? A hearty mix of passion, resourcefulness and preparation.

7 Traits of a Successful Coding Bootcamp Student

1. Self-led learners with a passion for coding

A passion for working in the growing tech industry draws students to our intensive bootcamps, and should include getting started on your own. Someone who has either dabbled or obsessed in free online coding tutorials is a prime candidate in our eyes. Learning on your own shows that you’re self-driven, resourceful and have what’s called a growth mindset – you believe that you can learn something new, even if you struggle along the way. As a new developer, these traits are key to professional success and what we look for in potential students.

If you want to try coding on your own, you can attend one of our free Intro to Coding Workshops and check out free online resources like Codecademy, Team Tree House, Free Code Camp and Hour of Code. (more…)