42 School Overview and Guide
42 School is a Paris and Silicon Valley-based tech institute. It is completely free and does not have teachers like a traditional coding bootcamp.
Instead, your peers can help you solve problems with instructor guidance. Graduates say that the self-directed and collaborative activities helped them dive into tech.
All programs provide a peer-to-peer learning environment for all. This is more of a community than a bootcamp, but you can still learn vital tech skills.
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Alumni get jobs at companies like LinkedIn, Google, and PayPal. If you want to learn more about 42 School, read more below.
What You Need to Know About 42 School
42 School is a computer science bootcamp that offers free training programs. It is currently closed due to COVID-19, but will open up later in 2021.
- Cost: Free
- Schedules: Full-Time, Part-Time, Flex
- Courses Offered: Intensive Basic Training, The 42 Program, Le Programme, 42 Starfleet Academy
- Upcoming Start Dates: N/A
42 School Curricula: What Can You Study?
42 School has four main programs to choose from to help you become a computer scientist or software engineer. The main programs at the tech institute last for an entire year, while the introductory programs last for a few weeks.
Piscine
The Intensive Basic Training program, also known as Piscine, is a four-week coding course. The full-time classes offer several coding challenges. It encourages you to use your own resources to gain more coding experience. If you can keep up with this intensive training, it means that you are ready to explore a longer program.
By the end of the course, you will know how to use Git to track programming changes. You will have a basic knowledge of data structures and algorithms. You’ll also learn how to use Linux, the UNIX-based operating system that is commonly used by cybersecurity engineers.
42 Starfleet Academy
This is the flagship course at 42 School. It has an extensive curriculum made up of 21 different levels. Every week, you commit 50 to 70 hours to prepare you for a real-world working environment. The learning process promotes collaboration, which can improve your teamwork and problem-solving skills.
In this program, you are in full control of how you learn and acquire new skills. You can learn data science, develop games, study data visualization, and apply Python for data science. You’ll use popular programming languages to advance your skills and learn concepts like machine learning.
The 42 Program
This is the perfect program if you prefer a self-paced approach to learning. It does not have a fixed timeline for completion, and you can gain the skills you need in a few months. The 21 steps in the program can be completed after just one year or throughout up to five years.
The 42 Program covers concepts like blockchain technology and machine learning but. You can also learn how to develop tech products and services using programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, C#, and Python. Concepts and frameworks like Git, PHP, Sinatra, jQuery, etc. are also included in the program.
Le Programme
This is another extensive self-paced program. It can last from three to five years, depending on how much time you want to commit. The self-paced curriculum will teach you how to develop games and other software using in-demand programming languages. Le Programme takes place on the Paris campus.
42 School Campuses: Where Can You Study?
42 has two campuses: one in Paris, and one in Silicon Valley. You can meet with your cohort in large or small groups to problem-solve and network. Both campuses are closed due to COVID-19.
- Paris
- Silicon Valley
42 School Schedules: When Can You Study?
Full-Time
The full-time program at 42 School runs every day for a year. You need to turn in 50 to 70 hours of individual and collaborative work weekly. This amounts to about 12 to 15 hours daily, so if you want to maintain a full-time job, you should choose a different schedule.
Part-Time
The part-time program lasts for three to four years from when you start. You only have to learn a few hours a week, so this is a good option for busier people.
Flex
The flex program allows you to learn at your own pace. The time it takes to complete it will depend on how much time you dedicate to the program. If you’re working or a slow learner, this is a great option for you.
42 School Tuition
There is no tuition cost at 42 School because it is 100 percent free.
42 School Financing and Payment Options
Since it is a free tech institute, there are no financing and payment options for 42 School. The school provides an accessible way to learn. 42 School was founded by Xavier Niel, who funds it in partnership with Florian Bucher and Nicolas Sadirac.
42 School Admissions: How to Get In
The application process at 42 School is fairly easy. You need to be at least 18 years old, and you don’t need to have a GED or high school diploma. The admissions process is merit-based and you have to pass 42 School’s Piscine program before you can be considered. However, applications are closed due to COVID-19.
42 School Application
The 42 School application is different from many other bootcamps. As soon as you apply, you sign up for the Piscine prep course. After you attend, you have to wait for your full application to be approved. Then you can choose a start date and pick a permanent dorm if you need accommodation. At this point, you can start attending the full program.
42 School Interview
There is no interview required for getting into 42 School, but the Piscine program acts as an interview. It helps the admissions team decide if you are the right fit for the school. Keep in mind that not every student who applies gets invited to join the Piscine program.
The Piscine program requires everyday attendance for an entire month. You will work on tech projects, build your network, and start to decide if you’re interested in the full program.
42 School Admission Rate: What Are My Chances of Getting In?
42 School does not disclose its acceptance rate. If you do well during Piscine, you could be admitted to the school. Since it is merit-based, all you have to do is put your best foot forward throughout Piscine. You need to prove your collaboration and problem-solving skills.
42 School Outcomes: Will I Find a Job?
42 School does not offer a job guarantee. However, there is a strong chance that you will get a job right after graduating. Some students were reportedly offered jobs even before completing the program. According to 42 School, about 1,147 students now have rewarding jobs at companies like Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and PayPal.
Job Placement Services at 42 School
Many tech companies partner with 42 School to recruit students directly from the student pool. If you’re an outstanding student, you can get a job through the recruitment programs provided at 42 School. If you want to get matched with an employer, you have to complete at least one internship before you can be recommended.
Should You Apply to 42 School?
Yes, you should apply to 42 School as soon as enrollment resumes. You do not need to spend any money on learning or accommodation. By the time you graduate, you would have what it takes to work as a computer programmer.
Below are more reasons why you should apply to 42 School.
- You can learn to code for free. This is one of the biggest advantages of attending 42 School. It is a college-level education that can teach you more than a traditional school. Everything in the school from tuition to accommodation is free.
- You can gain valuable work experience. 42 School offers a peer-to-peer learning environment for programming, data analytics, and even product management. There are no instructors, so you have to learn to work with a team. This is a great way to learn what a real work environment is like.
- You can learn quickly and efficiently. Bootcamps are always a better choice over a bachelor’s degree in any topic. The full-time course allows you to dedicate yourself to learning, and therefore learn faster.
Very few tech institutes provide intensive programs for free, so you should look into 42 School. This bootcamp has positive student outcomes and can help you grow your network. By the time you graduate, you would have what it takes to work in the tech field. Once applications are back open, you should apply to 42 School.
Anonymous
I currently attend 42 School @ Silicon Valley and I can’t speak highly enough about my experience. I attended the 30 intensive program in March and continued to the 3-5 year program starting in mid-April. The curriculum is self-paced and dependent on peer-to-peer learning, so it may not be a great match for those who learn best in very structured environments. For those of us who learn best by doing, the curriculum is exceptionally well designed.
The only negative I can think of is that the school is very new and therefore things are constantly influx. The school rules are not always clear, and are not always enforced consistently, but the administration is fair and thoughtful, which to me is more important.
The school is free to attend, and even the dorms are free as long as you keep up with the curriculum. The community here is great, and it’s the ideal place for networking. Highly recommended!
March 9, 2020
Anonymous
Hi there, I can only comment on the “Piscine” intensive basic training program. It is indeed very intensive. It is also very social. I spent about 100 hrs a week in the lab and lived on campus (almost necessary to pass… don’t go if you can’t get into the dorms, even if you live in the area.)
The program is entirely self- and peer-taught. You are given assignments 7 days a week and expected to complete them using online resources and the people in the room.
I took to the experience really well, but I’d already had a solid foundation in programming Python. People without any programming experience might be overwhelmed. Overall, the most intense and rewarding programming experience I’ve ever had.
March 15, 2020
Anonymous
Prior to attending the Piscine, I had approximately 2 months coding experience, from some online courses in Javascript and C. I think it helps to understand a little bit about the C language before starting the Piscine, but that being said, my experience helped me through maybe 2 or 3 days during my first month here.
Right from the start, it is prudent to commit the majority of your time to staying in the lab. I personally spent approximately 90 hours a week. Some people needed less time, and some needed more. There are something like 200-300 students present at the start of the Piscine, and most people will learn at a different pace. However, it is fairly easy to make friends and find learning partners, and it is entirely necessary if you want to get the most out of your first month here.
After finishing the piscine, if you’ve put in enough work/time, you will have hopefully been accepted into the full-time program! Unlike the Piscine, the full-time program is at your own pace (unless you live in the dorms). The curriculum is expansive and allows you to choose your own path between several different branches, including: Graphic Design, Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming, Unix, Web-Development, and more! There is always something to do.
TL;DR: Free does not translate to easy
Tips for the Piscine: Spend as much time as you can in the lab. Talk to your peers and ask them for help if you need it! Use google if that fails!
Tips for the full-time program: Stay consistent. Motivation comes and goes.
April 13, 2020
Anonymous
I’m going to give you a 100% honest review of this school, not from the perspective of a someone who failed and gave up, but from the perspective of failing, and then getting in.
DO NOT COPY…..without understanding. That is THE Biggest thing I can tell you to help you through this entire program, even the Piscine.
THE PISCINE
Is just as brutal as they let it on to be. You are constantly bombarded with projects and tasks, and honestly, the purpose of this is to get you accustomed to a routine of intensive programming, problem solving, and self evaluation. You WILL Fail multiple days from their Very rigorous testing software. They want you to develop accurate, and real world testing. The norm and the way the code is built is difficult, not going to sugarcoat it. It almost seems pointless, but as the course suggests, you do research and you find out that other companies have norms and software writing standards. The norm here is INTENTIONALLY OVERLY Complicated to train you do be able to adapt to any software architecture. This is painfully obvious, and anyone complaining about anything I have said so far, does not posess the courage. This is just the Piscine.
I failed once and came back two months later after seriously studying and caring, and got in.
CADET LIFE (FULL PROGRAM)
Not easier as far as project difficulties AT ALL, in fact, the only thing that is easy, is that they ease up and you only have to maintain a level a month (1-2 projects every month) and 35 hours lab time minimum. The project tree is extensive, and every previous project builds on the latter in magnificent ways. The way you learn here, makes you really question why this costs hundreds of thousands of dollars elsewhere. Typical schooling here IN America teaches you to skim and find an answer, NOT actually understand why the answers is what it is. 42 DOES THIS AND EXCELS.
THE DORMS
This is the only time you’ll hear me reference this in this posting, but you get what you pay for with the dorms lol. Our maintence man isn’t the best at all, I still have an AC that hasn’t been fixed, but I had to man up an get a fan. Don’t come here to get babies, come here to actually learn and push through to get to the goal. 99% of people who get to level 9, or last for 8+ months, get jobs. And I means everyone. Someone in my first Piscine just got a job at a 3D audio company, and that’s just one of many. He has been here for 5 months and has no degree, just the thirst for knowledge.
Come here to learn and grow. Then you will succeed without a doubt!
June 18, 2020
Anonymous
I’m now an alumni of the 42 Paris School. I started the test called the piscine in March 2017 knowing nothing about programming. 1 year later I started receiving so many interesting job offers that I didn’t need to finish the program.
This school not only teaches you how to program, it gives you all the tools to learn by yourself and build your network (The events in the school and partners in Paris are amazing). At the end you will have the best technical skills for programming and/or starting your business.
However the way the school operates is not tailored for everyone. You MUST be highly motivated. If you are ready for days and nights of coding, then the school will make you a skilled developer, faster than any other school. Indeed you can work 7d/d, even for vacation, and you’re not stuck with the other students pace.
Other reviews are saying you can’t develop in other languages than C. This is not true, you can do it once you have a sufficient level in C. And believe me, C may seems boring/old at first, but this is the best way to really understand how it works. If you simply need the basics to make websites or simple programs, then maybe this formation is too much for you. You have the possibility to stop at the beginning after the first projects, but the school aims for highly skilled developers. Learning how to code is easy, learning how to PROPERLY code is harder, and this school pushes to toward that.
In short, the school is as good as your motivation. If only YOU have the right mindset, then the results will be excellent and fast.
September 23, 2020