About Codesmith
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Codesmith’s Software Engineering Immersive program is an advanced residency designed to help individuals launch a meaningful, high-level career in Software Engineering. Codesmith offers full-time (13-week) and part-time (38-week) remote software engineering... Read More
The top-rated Software Engineering Immersive programs teach full stack JavaScript and computer science to prepare residents for mid and senior level software engineering roles. The expertly designed rigorous curriculum and supportive community immerses residents in modern web technologies, such as React and Node.js, and encourages them to tackle unique and unfamiliar problems to prepare them for the ever-changing tech landscape.
In addition to the core curriculum, Codesmith offers an extensive hiring support program that guides residents through the hiring process, including interview strategies, portfolio development, and post-graduation check-ins. As shared in the most recent CIRR outcomes reports (July-December 2021), more than 82% of Codesmith graduates were employed in the field within 6 months of graduating. Across all full-time immersive programs during this period the median salary for Codesmith graduates was $130,000. The median salary for the part-time remote immersive program was $137,000.
Codesmith's mission is to develop an exceptional network of brilliant and collaborative Software Engineers who are passionate about pushing the engineering community forward. With this mission in mind, Codesmith offers numerous payment plans to all applicants, and a variety of scholarships to provide financial support to outstanding community members who exemplify Codesmith’s values, especially those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the tech industry.
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Courses
Full-Time Remote Software Engineering Immersive
Part-Time Software Engineering Immersive
CS Prep
JavaScript for Beginners
NYC Onsite Immersive
Codesmith Reviews
Average Ratings (All Programs)
Anonymous
Software Engineer | Graduated: 20202/2/2021
Course
Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program
"By far your best choice"
Summary: its most likely going to be the hardest thing you've done in your life. None of it is easy. Getting in to Codesmith is hard, graduating Codesmith is hard (the 75+ hour weeks are no joke). Getting HIRED after Codesmith is going to be even HARDER.... Read More
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Alex S.
Software Engineer (Front End) | Graduated: 20202/2/2021
Course
Full-time Remote Software Engineering Immersive
"Exclusive, expensive, and worth every penny"
Best bootcamp out there IMO, but I don’t think there’s anything particularly special about the curriculum. It is mostly taught by (extremely capable) recent grads, and all the stuff that is taught can just as well be self-learned (for a much lower price... Read More
Brian Hayashi
Software Engineer | Graduated: 20202/2/2021
Course
Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program
"Packs a 4 year CS degree in 12 weeks"
The hiring curriculum after the main coding course was arguably half the value of CodeSmith. Not only does CodeSmith go over the fundamentals like time complexity and data structures - they push you to build countless projects week after week. In an industry... Read More
Rea
student | Graduated: 20212/2/2021
Course
CS Prep
"CS Prep"
I just finished up CS prep with Sophie N. as our teacher for our cohort. I have gained lots of knowledge, developed lots of skills, stretched my limits and surprised to learn that I could do more because the way they have designed the program. ultimately,... Read More
Kailee
Graduated: 20212/2/2021
Course
CS Prep
"Really enjoyed CS Prep!"
I enrolled in CS Prep with the intention of preparing for one of the immersives at Codesmith later this year. I wasn't sure what to expect going in but it was a great experience overall. The whole class (~30 people) was super supportive and encouraging... Read More
Midori Yang
Software Engineer | Graduated: 202012/18/2020
Course
Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program
"Codesmith helped me land a job when college didn't"
I'm writing this review about one week into my first full-time job ever as a mid-level SWE, where I've been learning something new basically every hour but without feeling overwhelmed or lost. I am comfortable asking questions to my boss and senior software... Read More
Why + how Codesmith is able to accomplish its immersive program outcomes:
You basically have to do the equivalent of a college-level introductory class before entering. I graduated with a computer science degree and Codesmith not only makes you learn valuable computer science fundamentals in order to pass their technical interviews, but also specific JavaScript concepts that I never learned throughout college. Remember this when you feel like the material is too hard and that you're not smart enough to understand it. You feel that way because the material is hard, and you're trying to teach yourself a new skill in the span of a few months instead of four years! You're attempting a huge challenge and you should feel proud of that choice instead.
Codesmith prioritizes cultural fit and learning potential over technical knowledge. I know this because as someone who stayed on as an engineering fellow, I conducted technical interviews for applicants. Here are some important things to understand about the interview process:
When Codesmith rejects you, it is not because you aren't good enough to do the program. Codesmith's curriculum is extremely rigorous and fast-paced, and we don't want residents regretting their decision to spend $18k on a program where they feel completely overwhelmed. In asking applicants to re-interview, we are asking you them reinforce your knowledge and fully prepare themselves for the program, as mentioned in the first point.
What I cared about most in interviews was determining if the person would flourish in the program and would contribute to the supportive + collaborative community that Codesmith works hard to maintain, as opposed to their technical ability. This is also true when interviewing for SWE positions at actual companies (at least ones that would be pleasant to work at): they care more about hiring a competent engineer with good cultural fit and a baseline level of knowledge over hiring a genius that can't work on a team or doesn't care about the work outside of writing code, and this is reflected in Codesmith's interview process.
Codesmith spends time teaching computer science fundamentals, which means data structures, algorithms, and time complexity. In order to progress as an engineer, you need a foundation to stand on and to understand what your code is doing when it is executed instead of just memorizing syntax that can become outdated on a whim. If the bootcamp you are considering does not touch on foundational CS concepts and seems to only be concerned with teaching you some specific "modern" technologies, it is a BIG red flag for the quality of education.
Expanding on the previous point, Codesmith ultimately wants you to become an autonomous, opinionated engineer rather than an expert in some specific tech stack. Especially in web development, frameworks, libraries, and technologies go in and out of style on yearly basis and anything you learn at a bootcamp may be obsolete 2-5 years from now. What really matters is creating a solid foundation in computer science, code design patterns, and system design concepts that allow you to jump off a cliff into learning any new technology with a really sturdy parachute. This is why Codesmith's curriculum places a lot of emphasis on the WHY of what you are doing: why would you use React over Angular or Vue? How does Node.js handle asynchronous JS and why does that make it a good choice for applications that needs non-blocking event processing? These under-the-hood concepts and informed opinions are what makes Codesmith grads stand out and why they can aim for mid-level positions.
The hiring program is almost worth the tuition by itself (I'll get to what really makes the tuition worth it next), as my new salary would easily cover it. The CIRR outcomes really speak for themselves so I won't talk about it too much, but the difference in comfort and confidence I felt when interviewing for junior positions right after college and when interviewing for mid and senior-level positions after finishing Codesmith was hundreds of miles apart. Codesmith gives you a very detailed and specific guide for handling every aspect of the SWE interview, as well as lasting career support post-graduation.
Everything I've listed so far in terms of academic material is stuff that could be found online with some creative Googling (which Codesmith also emphasizes as an important skill). But if I could do this kind of studying on my own, I wouldn't have spent a year unemployed before doing the program. What I really paid for was the incredible community created by the staff and the careful interview process that chooses good engineers that are also good people. In the pressure cooker that is a three-month immersive program, you will need an emotional support system to lift you up when you're doubting your abilities and I definitely found that in my cohortmates and the instructors. When I became a fellow and stayed on another three months to teach, I saw three more cohorts repeat the process of leaning on each other for support and guidance, and shedding tears at final shoutouts when the process ended. The supportive community continues even after the cohort is over as you go into the job search, as all the alums I contacted for advice were friendly and encouraging.
Ultimately, even though I was initially skeptical of Codesmith and it's weirdly high outcomes, I now understand how it is able to accomplish them after having done the program myself. The remote setting did not diminish the value of the experience in any way. If Codesmith doesn't seem like the right fit for you, I would still strongly advise that any bootcamp you pick meets the criteria described above.
Anonymous
Software Engineer | Graduated: 202012/17/2020
Course
Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program
"Unforgettable experience"
I'm writing this review as a newly hired software engineer at an amazing startup 5 months after graduating. At the end of 2019 after I graduated with a non-technical degree, I wouldn't have thought this was possible. Codesmith played the biggest factor... Read More
Linda
Front end Engineer | Graduated: 202012/15/2020
Course
Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program
"A smart investment"
Quick summary: I have no technical background, I studied about 500 hours before being accepted into Codesmith, and 4 months after graduating I landed a full time role with a great company, with a 150% higher salary than my previous job, and high career... Read More
Fiscally speaking, investing in Codesmith's immersive engineering program is worthwhile just for the guidance on salary negotiation, but it's a lot more than that.
The immersive program environment reflects the actual workplace for engineers, establishing professional expectations and building teamwork skills and confidence in technical communication. I knew that I wanted to apply to Codesmith after attending a Hard Parts workshop in NYC, where attendees are expected to technically communicate in a group. It gave me instant confidence in what I had been previously studying entirely on my own with minor interest in participating in any kind of bootcamp situation.
I spent at least 90% of my time at Codesmith working collaboratively with others. These team activities included: reporting regularly to stand-ups, preforming code reviews, mentoring newer engineers as well as receiving mentorship, using git collaboratively, preparing tech talks, and pairing - so I felt completely prepared to step into the professional engineering work environment.
Codesmith's curriculum is progressive and up-to-date. If you're like me and have no technical background, you may have to put in a lot of extra effort before, during, and after the program. I don't think I would have landed a job by doing the bare minimum. However, if you're ready to work hard, this is the best program to support you in your journey to professional Software Engineer.
Rob
Software Engineer | Graduated: 202012/15/2020
Course
Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program
"Highly Recommend"
Through Codesmith’s CS Prep and Full-time Immersive, I made a full career switch into software development.
After researching several immersive programs, CS stood out to me with their distinguished reviews. It was then learning JS through their CSX platform,... Read More
The full-time program was no exception as it continued to showcase expert-level instruction from guiding you through full stack web technologies to hiring support while fostering a collaborative and communicative learning environment. The curriculum is certainly intense and unapologetic (in a positive way), and it’s up to the students to put in the work in order to get the most out of it - trusting the system and embracing the challenges will set you up for future success in your job search. The solid community of peers and staff support are unique aspects of this program that set it apart from others.
I greatly value the skills, experiences and friends that I obtained through CS, and I recommend this to anyone who is looking for the same.
Jenessa C.
Graduated: 202012/15/2020
Course
JavaScript for Beginners
"JSB- JavaScript for Beginners is the best thing I have done for myself."
This ended up being an easy way to test the water before diving in. More importantly it confirmed many things for me. That I am ready to learn software development, that the schedule will be doable with my current life situation (full time job and two... Read More