Disclaimer: I went to App Academy summer of 2014. I paid ~$14,000 up front as Canadians didn't qualify for the tuition deferment (an eminently reasonable restriction, work visas are far from a sure thing). I had degrees in non-cs STEM fields and CS coursework which allowed me to fit into a TN visa category, and I'm currently happily employed in SF.
I'm disappointed in App Academy for this omission - they should be better than this.
That said, some perspective:
They have placed 400(?) people in the SF tech market through this tuition deferment scheme. Many of those hundreds didn't have the $10k-$18k up front needed for a bootcamp. Many of those people, myself included, consider attending App Academy a life-changing event. Easily the single most useful stretch of three months I've spent over the course of my twenties.
Their system of tuition deferment + rent free living on the floor in SOMA was unprecedented and a large gamble on their part. I'm very likely over-reacting given my strong feelings of gratitude to the school, but there's an under-current of entitlement in these posts I find objectionable.
They should have made certain that their complete tuition policy was clear, accurate, and very visible. That said, the harm you incurred was learning some minimal amount of ruby and and engaging in some screen shares. These are both skills that will be useful in any further interaction you have with web development, either bootcamp applications or job interviews. Respectfully, you have a long road ahead of you and much more potential unfairness.
Your experience with them does tarnish my view of App Academy slightly. However, the counter factual of no App Academy is a world in which literally hundreds of people would have been unable to pursue careers they find both financially and personally rewarding. Relative to that incredible accomplishment, this seems less damning.
- They let and would let as many students live on site free of charge in the most expensive rental market in the US. I am certain all students from out of town or out of state are forever grateful for just this. Rent in SF/SOMA can easily top $2,000.
- Also agree that a/A changed my life and the best three month investment I've ever made. Likewise many of my peers feel the same way.
They're going for some sort of accreditation and that involves their TAs obtaining teaching credentials and not allowing people to live on site unless they have a dormitory, which carries all sorts of additional restrictions.
I'm disappointed in App Academy for this omission - they should be better than this.
That said, some perspective:
They have placed 400(?) people in the SF tech market through this tuition deferment scheme. Many of those hundreds didn't have the $10k-$18k up front needed for a bootcamp. Many of those people, myself included, consider attending App Academy a life-changing event. Easily the single most useful stretch of three months I've spent over the course of my twenties.
Their system of tuition deferment + rent free living on the floor in SOMA was unprecedented and a large gamble on their part. I'm very likely over-reacting given my strong feelings of gratitude to the school, but there's an under-current of entitlement in these posts I find objectionable.
They should have made certain that their complete tuition policy was clear, accurate, and very visible. That said, the harm you incurred was learning some minimal amount of ruby and and engaging in some screen shares. These are both skills that will be useful in any further interaction you have with web development, either bootcamp applications or job interviews. Respectfully, you have a long road ahead of you and much more potential unfairness.
Your experience with them does tarnish my view of App Academy slightly. However, the counter factual of no App Academy is a world in which literally hundreds of people would have been unable to pursue careers they find both financially and personally rewarding. Relative to that incredible accomplishment, this seems less damning.