First Step Coding Overview and Guide

If you plan to attend a coding bootcamp, you should have a basic coding background. First Step Coding is a fantastic coding program that can give you the preparation you need. If you want to get prepared for a coding bootcamp, then read our First Step Coding overview and guide.

Top bootcamps such as Flatiron School, General Assembly, and Fullstack Academy have accepted First Step Coding’s graduates. You can learn the fundamentals of coding in just four weeks. This First Step Coding review will cover everything from financing options to career services.

What You Need to Know About First Step Coding

First Step Coding is a coding school for tech newbies who want to learn basic coding skills. It offers programs that can prepare you for an immersive coding bootcamp. It offers plenty of one-on-one time from your instructors. First Step Coding follows a six-to-one ratio for in-person classes and an eight-to-one ratio for online courses.

• Cost: $999 – $2,499
• Schedules: Full-Time, Part-Time
• Courses Offered: Intro to Coding, Bootcamp Prep
• Upcoming Start Dates: Varies by course and location

First Step Coding Curricula: What Can You Study?

First Step Coding offers a beginner coding course and a bootcamp prep course. It offers fundamental coding and web development training. It considers itself a program rather than a bootcamp because it only offers beginner part-time courses. By the end of the programs, you will be ready to take on the entrance exams of immersive coding bootcamps.

Intro To Coding

First Step Coding’s Intro to Coding course will make you code-literate in only four weeks. The part-time course consists of two live classes every Monday and Wednesday and a one-on-one session every week. It is currently only offered online and costs $999, though the price is subject to change.

This course will teach you the basics of coding in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. You’ll gain a fundamental background in software development and data science. By the end of the course, you will be able to handle and format data. You will also learn to interface with APIs and develop front end applications.

Whether you are a recent high school graduate or want to switch to a tech career, this course is the perfect place to start. Non-technical managers can also take this course to better understand and manage their technical teams.

Bootcamp Prep

The Bootcamp Prep course is an eight-week part-time course that continues the Intro to Coding curriculum. The first four weeks of this prep course is identical to the Intro to Coding course. You’ll learn basic coding objectives in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

The second module focuses on front end development techniques. You will learn how to debug and how to use application interfaces with APIs such as JSON. You will also build an interactive API-driven front end application. The third module focuses on next steps. You will complete mock coding bootcamp interviews and receive guidance for your bootcamp.

If you decide to take this course after completing the Intro to Coding course, you can attend the second and third modules for $999. This will only take you four weeks. You can also choose to attend the full eight-week Bootcamp Prep course for $1,999. This price changes to $2,499 if you enroll in person when the campuses open again.

First Step Coding Campuses: Where Can You Study?

First Step Coding offers both in-person and online courses, but only offers online courses due to COVID-19.

• Boston
• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• New York City
• San Francisco
• San Jose
• Silicon Valley
• Online

First Step Coding Schedules: When Can You Study?

Part-Time

First Step Coding offers two part-time and evening courses perfect for anyone with a busy schedule. The courses are taught live online every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Both courses assign around six hours of homework per week and provide one-on-one mentoring sessions.

First Step Coding Tuition

The courses at First Step Coding cost anywhere between $999 to $2,499. This depends on the delivery style, course, and schedule. If you have an intermediate coding background, you can choose to attend the latter half of the Bootcamp Prep Course and just pay $999. First Step Coding offers some payment plans to help you with tuition.

First Step Coding Financing and Payment Options

• Upfront Payments. This payment plan is great for anyone who can afford the entire tuition. It is a straightforward plan where you pay the full price upon course registration.
• Installments. First Step Coding offers installment payment plans. You must pay an initial deposit and pay the rest of the tuition in installments. You can contact the school’s advisor for more information about the payment time frame and amount.
• Tuition Credits. First Step Coding offers tuition credits of up to $1,500 for students applying for bootcamps at its partner schools. This means once you graduate, you are eligible for a discount up to $1,500 at the school’s partner bootcamps or get your money back from First Step Coding.
• Scholarships. First Step Coding provides one scholarship for every 10 students under its social impact initiative. The school partners with organizations such as Women Who Code, [mothercoders], and Swords to Plowshares. The scholarships promote diversity and help underrepresented groups in tech.
• Crowdfunding. First Step Coding also encourages its students to raise their tuition fees via public crowdfunding. You can start a funding campaign on GoFundMe. The school will help you during the fundraising process.

First Step Coding Admissions: How to Get In

Getting admitted into First Step Coding is fairly easy as the school accepts all beginners. All you need is an interest in coding and computer literacy.

First Step Coding Application

The application process at First Step Coding is very simple. The school offers a free 15-minute consultation for everyone. You can ask any questions you may have. After that, you can fill out a general online application. A First Step Coding representative will then contact you for an interview.

First Step Coding Interview

First Step Coding is designed for beginners, so you don’t have to worry about answering technical questions. The interview will cover your background, your career goals, and your reason for applying to First Step Coding. This is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the school’s advisor and show them that you’re passionate about learning.

First Step Coding Admission Rate: What Are My Chances of Getting In?

First Step Coding does not have any official statistics on its admission rate. However, since the school opens its courses to everyone, you have a high chance of getting in.

First Step Coding Outcomes: Will I Find a Job?

First Step Coding is a technical training program and not a bootcamp, so it doesn’t offer job assistance. By enrolling in this school’s courses you will get ready to apply for data science bootcamps and web development bootcamps.

The school reports that its alumni have gone onto working for mega companies such as Google, eBay, Nokia, and Dropbox. Although First Step Coding won’t help you find a job, it helps you become eligible for coding bootcamps that do.

Job Placement Services at First Step Coding

First Step Coding does not offer any job placement services nor does it offer a job guarantee. It provides courses that prepare you to attend other immersive coding bootcamps.

Should You Apply to First Step Coding?

Yes, you should apply to First Step Coding if you’re a coding beginner. Deciding whether to apply to a technical program is not easy, especially if you are new to the tech world. First Step Coding is a great option for anyone new to coding. Read below for more reasons why you should apply.

• Beginner-Friendly Programs. First Step Coding offers courses for complete beginners. You can get an in-depth foundational background in easy coding languages, data science, and web development. This school will get you ready for immersive bootcamps.
• Partner Bootcamps. Since First Step Coding is a prep school, it partners with several coding bootcamps. These include Actualize, Hack Reactor, Galvanize, App Academy, Level, Red Wood Academy, and Rithm School. You can increase your admission chances and get a discount by starting with First Step Coding.
• Part-Time Schedules. The program schedule at First Step Coding is perfect for anyone who can’t commit to a full-time schedule. The current courses are offered twice a week in the evenings, which means they’re great for full-time employees and busy people.
• Many Locations and Online Courses. First Step Coding offers in-person courses in many locations across the United States. However, because of COVID-19, the school is only offering remote courses. You can learn to code from the comfort of your home.

You should apply to First Step Coding if you want to learn the fundamentals of tech. It is a great way to start your journey into a tech career. If you are a beginner and want to become a data analyst, or machine learning engineer, First Step Coding is a great stepping stone.

First Step Coding offers an ideal introductory program for beginners, code newbies, and even managers who lead tech teams. The courses will help you better understand today’s tech-dependent industries. Get the coding experience and fast-paced learning background you need to succeed in your coding bootcamp.