This document only applies if you are doing this track during JumpStart.
Here's what the average day will look like:
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 6:30pm | Attendance |
| 6:30 - 7:00 | Code demo & Q/A |
| 7:00 - 7:30 | Warm-up |
| 7:30 - 9:30 | Independent work |
| 9:30 + | Homework problem |
We will take attendance every day; your record will be considered when making admission decisions. You must be present for attendance on assessment days.
During the code demo, we will demonstrate solving a challenging coding problem that was assigned as homework the night before. Here, we will focus more on problem-solving architectures and design techniques. Code demos give you the opportunity to observe how an experienced developer would approach solving problems.
You will have a different warm-up partner every day. Pairs will be assigned via email at the beginning of the day. After meeting your pair, the two of you will solve two sets of problems and answer the discussion questions together. Warm-ups allow you to practice engaging in dialogue about code. You will develop your coding vocabulary and will get better at asking the right questions.
The majority of your time in JumpStart will be spent working independently. You don't have to work alone, but you can chose how to spend your time. You may decide to write code with a partner, discuss something with your mentor, or work independently. The independence will allow you to go through the curriculum at your own pace, but will also require some intrinsic motivation.
You will be grouped into pods with other students at similar levels, and each pod will have a TA mentor. You are strongly encouraged to discuss problems with your fellow pod members and to ask your TA mentor for help.
You will have one homework problem every night. If your time is limited during JumpStart, feel free do the homework problem during independent work time. Don't spend more than 20 - 30 minutes on it (unless you want to!). We'll do the problem together in class (the next day) during the code demo.
We will have an assessment on the second Monday and Thursday during JumpStart (W2D1 and W2D4). If you receive a passing score on either, you have effectively passed the beginner track. If you pass the first assessment, you may move on to the intermediate track for the rest of the week.
After passing the beginner track, you may complete the intermediate track at home and then participate in a Skype interview. Alternatively, you may return for a second JumpStart and do the intermediate track with us!
Everyone who clears our bar passes. There is no limit to the number of accepted students. This means you should be helping your fellow JumpStarters. You are not competing with each other.
You're all at different levels and will work at different paces. Don't worry if someone moves faster than you or solves problems faster than you. What's important is that you get the most out of this investment of your time.
Remember that passing our assessment can speed up your application process, but failing it will not hurt your chances of getting into a/A. Jumpstart is a small, small piece of your journey to becoming a developer. It's outcome pails in comparison to your intrinsic motivation.