First Step Coding
First Step Coding Reviews and Complete Guide
First Step Coding is a tech training school that helps students decide if a career in coding is worth pursuing. First Step Coding is not a coding bootcamp. You can think of it as an introductory course for those looking to become software engineers.
The eight-week coding program has locations in Silicon Valley and many other major cities in the US. Even though it isn’t technically a bootcamp, students still study the same common programming languages that are covered in full-time coding bootcamps.
What Do You Need to Know About First Step Coding?
First Step Coding is a transitional program that helps people determine if coding is the right career path for them. After the fast-paced bootcamp prep program ends, students who decide they want to continue to learn programming can enroll in one First Step Coding’s partner bootcamps.
These include App Academy, Rithm School, Actualize, Hack Reactor, Redwood Code Academy, and Launch Academy. There are also benefits to attending these affiliated coding schools, such as a tuition discount.
| Locations | Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, San Jose, Silicon Valley, Online |
| Tuition | $999 and $2,499 |
| Financing Options | Upfront Payment, Private Loan, Installments |
| Start Dates | March 29 |
| Program Types | Part-time, Full-time, Online |
| Courses | Introduction to Coding, Bootcamp Prep Course, Corporate Training |
Where Are First Step Coding Campuses Located?
First Step Coding operates in seven US cities and also offers classes online.
- Boston
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Silicon Valley
- Online
The courses offered and the standard of teaching is the same across all locations, including online options.
How Much Is Tuition at First Step Coding?
The tuition at First Step Coding ranges from $999 to $2,499. The program currently offers two introductory courses and corporate training. The tuition cost depends on the program you choose.
How Can You Pay First Step Coding Tuition?
First Step Coding doesn’t offer as many payment options as formal bootcamps. Usually, students of this training center pay for their courses upfront. However, students who don’t have the money for upfront payment can look into the alternatives below.
First Step Coding School Scholarships
First Step Coding does not offer scholarships. Instead, on the official website, First Step Coding encourages students who can’t afford tuition to raise money through crowdfunding platforms.
For example, students can create a GoFundMe account to raise money for their tuition and can, send the details of the campaign to the school. Students can also seek out federal or private scholarships to over their tuition.
Additionally, students who graduate from First Step Coding and choose to enter one of its partner bootcamps are entitled to a $1,500 tuition discount.
ISAs
First Step Coding does not offer an ISA at this time.
Loan Financing
This bootcamp prep school does not work directly with any loan companies. However, students are free to seek out private loans.
Installments
First Step Coding does allow students to pay in installments. This involves first paying an initial deposit. Then, the rest of the price of tuition will be divided into smaller amounts to be paid back within a designated time frame.
Can You Use the GI Bill at First Step Coding?
No, First Step Coding does not allow veterans to use the GI Bill to attend.
What Courses Does First Step Coding Offer?
First Step Coding might be a bootcamp prep program, but it has a couple of courses that make it an ideal first stop for students who are still considering whether they are ready to fully commit to a career in technology.
While other bootcamp prep schools touch only on the basics, First Step Coding’s curriculum takes a close look at core concepts and programming languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript for front end web development.
Introduction to Coding Course – In-Person | Online
This four-week course is for beginners who want to start coding. Students will learn the basics of web development for front end applications. Lessons cover APIs, user interface design, and user input. There are also classes on automation and pair programming.
Keep in mind that the in-person programs have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with this, the price of the class has been reduced from $1,499 to $999.
Bootcamp Prep – In-Person | Online
This eight-week bootcamp prep course is divided into three parts and covers more ground than the introductory class. After taking this bootcamp prep course, students will be one step closer to their dreams of becoming software engineers.
The first four weeks of the program cover similar material to the introduction to coding course. In the following two weeks, students will master front end web development. In the final project in the course, students will create their own app.
In the last two weeks, students will prepare for their bootcamp by training through mock interviews. They will also get tips from an adviser on how to get accepted into a full-time coding bootcamp.
How to Get Accepted Into First Step Coding
Getting into First Step Coding is easy since you don’t need any prior experience in coding. All you need is advanced computer literacy skills and the desire to learn something new.
First Step Coding Acceptance Rate
First Step Coding has not made its acceptance rate public. However, it is safe to say that the acceptance rate is high since it is a training school and not a bootcamp.
First Step Coding Application Process
To apply for First Step Coding, you don’t need to leave the comfort of your home. Everything can be done online.
- First, visit the training institute’s website and click on “Apply Now.”
- Fill in the application form with your basic information.
- Submit the form and wait for a representative to reach out to you for an interview.
- Complete your interview with the adviser, and wait to find out if you have been accepted.
First Step Coding Interview Questions
The interview does not include technical questions. It is just an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to your adviser. You’re not expected to prepare any answers to technical questions, since the school is for students with no coding experience.
How Can You Prepare for First Step Coding?
There is not much preparation needed for First Step Coding’s bootcamp prep. As stated above, you just need to have computer skills and an interest in tech. If you are not computer literate, you should learn the basics before you apply for any coding prep courses.
Is First Step Coding Worth It?
Yes, First Step Coding is worth it. Unlike free bootcamp prep courses, First Step Coding goes deep into the fundamentals of coding. Unlike studying in a free class, you may also feel more accountable for your education if you’re paying for the course.
First Step Coding Job Placement
First Step Coding doesn’t prepare students for work in the tech industry. It prepares them to enter a bootcamp. If you want to secure a high-paying tech job, you will need to attend a bootcamp after your First Step Coding course.
Does First Step Coding Offer a Job Guarantee?
No, First Step Coding does not offer a job guarantee. Instead, the school encourages students to attend bootcamps to advance their knowledge.
Should You Apply to First Step Coding?
Yes, you should apply to First Step Coding if you want to learn programming basics. It is one of the best bootcamp prep programs in the US. Many graduates from this training camp move on to its partner bootcamps and eventually land well-paid jobs.
First Step Coding is a good way to jumpstart your tech career. It doesn’t have any strict admission requirements, and it helps students prepare to attend a bootcamp by conducting mock interviews.
Price Range
$0-$1,999Programs Available
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7 Reviews
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Anonymous
This was a fantastic course.
We covered key coding fundamentals that helped me build an understanding of programming. There are great instructors that are more than willing to give you 1 on 1 time to work through problems.
November 10, 2019
Anonymous
Took an online course and learned a lot during the whole program. I recommend it for anyone whos trying to dip their toes into computer programming.
This course is by no means a walk in the park. It is challenging enough that you need to dedicate time towards homework and reviewing past content to grasp core concepts as classes build on top of each other.
January 22, 2020
Anonymous
First Step Coding is a wonderful school to enter the world of coding—whether it’s getting a grip on the building blocks of Javascript and HTML or getting ready to apply to top-notch bootcamps that can help launch your coding career.
I started my First Step journey with the assumption that I will not understand anything only cause I had struggled with Javascript at grad school. To my surprise, the instructors at First Step Coding made the process fun and enjoyable. At the same time, they pushed me to overcome my mental barriers with positive re-inforcement.
I found all the teachers extremely approachable and never hesitated to talk about conceptual roadblocks I faced along the way. The team at First Step Coding is dedicated to help you learn. That is not only their motto on paper—it’s evident in their attitude toward every student.
I strongly recommend the online learning platform, as well. Not only does it allow you to attend classes after a long day of work, it also offers access to recorded classes that you can revisit to brush up questions/concepts that require a deeper understanding.
The accountability aspect of the course helps drive confidence in students, who are pushed to tackle 5-10 questions on new concepts learnt on a weekly basis. By the end of the course, students like me start feeling more confident about the distance travelled. I am now in the process of applying to reputed bootcamps in New York City based on my training with First Step BootCamp Prep!
February 10, 2020
Anonymous
An intense online search for coding classes led me to First Step Coding and I am so happy I found it. Although self learning is great ( and very important in this field), First Step Coding is the right place to start and get a good coding foundation.
My instructors were Riley and Kurt; they were both very nice, helpful,professional, extremely patient and always available to answers questions. The curriculum is indeed adapted for people with no coding experience and by the end of the program, you acquire a great amount of skills and knowledge.
I finished the program in July and just got accepted into a bootcamp here in Boston. I would recommend this school to anyone new to coding; go for it, you will not regret it!
April 12, 2020
Anonymous
Fast-paced but recorded lectures easy to follow. Assessments are fair and helpful. Instructors were patient and took time to explain topics well. Final project was fun. Good experience to see if you’re ready for a Bootcamp. Would have been nice to have a few more classes vs independent study at the end of the course. Overall a good experience and I certainly know a great deal more than when I started. Thanks!
June 14, 2020
Anonymous
I’ve worked in SaaS tech support for a few years, and have slowly been introduced to code various concepts by virtue of doing my job. Over the years I’ve built a pretty broad understanding of various code concepts, but I couldn’t tell you much about the basics ( like the difference between an object and an array).
This course provided an excellent framework for understanding the fundamentals of not just JavaScript, but also general coding principles that apply to any language (pretty sure I’ll use P.R.E.P. for the rest of my career). I really enjoyed the fast-paced learning environment and having a web-based sandbox for completing take-home coursework removed a lot of the overhead/complexity of trying to use an IDE or set up a local environment.
One thing I loved about the class was, while zero coding experience is required, the learning environment is flexible/challenging enough that if you’ve already had some experience with certain aspects of the lesson, you can push yourself and still find a ton of value in the coursework (plus you have a knowledgeable instructor to ask questions and work with during office hours).
All-in-all, I cannot recommend this course enough for people who are interested to learn more about coding and want to get their feet wet with an entry-level language like JavaScript.
In parting, I wrote a program to illustrate my experience with the course:
var firstStepCodingClasses=8;
function learnToCode(firstStepCodingClasses){
var codeLiteracy=[];
for(var knowledge=0; knowledge
September 16, 2020
Anonymous
I went in with zero coding experience.
I’ve always known my way around a computer, I’ve been poking them since I was a seven year old after all, and while that might be normal now it wasn’t back in ’99. I’ve even messed around a command prompt(following guides to the letter), but I could never code. I’d seen code blocks all throughout my life and to the untrained eye, they honestly look like word vomit. They did to me anyway.
All of this is to say that, now, the word vomit looks like a recipe. Even if I don’t understand a block of code in its entirety, I can safely navigate it piece by piece to understand what’s going on at every point(and if I don’t understand I know how to look up resources to help me understand). That’s not something everyone can say and I can thank First Step Coding for helping me by demystify coding. While I wanted to learn how to code, my primary reason for applying to First Step Coding was to find out if I had it in me. I wanted to know if coding was something I could sit down and understand. Well, now I know I can understand it if I put my mind to it and I’ve actually found myself enjoying it, errors and all. My instructors were very helpful, patient and polite and they explained the core concepts of coding that helped me build to the more complex ones. I still have a long way to go, but I’m confident now that it’s something I can and want to do.
October 20, 2020