Thinkful vs General Assembly

General Assembly Reviews and Key Information

General Assembly is a coding bootcamp that offers courses in data science, software engineering, web development, UX design, and more. The school’s curricula are always updated to keep up with the ever-changing demands of the tech industry. This General Assembly review will help you decide whether any of these programs are for you. Is General Assembly the bootcamp that’s going to sharpen your skills, enhance your portfolio, and level-up your career? Let’s dig in.

General Assembly at a Glance

Cost of Tuition	$5,350 - $15,950
Financing Options	Upfront Payment, Income Share Agreement, Loans
Courses Offered	Data Science, Digital Marketing, Software Engineering, User Experience Design, Data Analytics, Front-End Web Development, JavaScript Development, Product Management, Python Programming, React Development, Visual Design
Career Services and Job Assistance	Career Coaching, Free Career Development Workshops, General Assembly Outcomes Program

What Can You Learn at General Assembly?

General Assembly offers a variety of tech-related programs, many of which are available as online courses. Every program type is available on a part-time schedule, while just a few come as full-time immersive bootcamps. As of now, there are 11 General Assembly courses to choose from. Below are eight major offerings and their corresponding details.

Data Science

General Assembly’s data science course lays a strong foundation for aspiring data scientists. With its comprehensive curriculum, you’ll be able to develop the most sought-after skills in the field. The course covers data science fundamentals, exploratory data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning models.

Software Engineering

If you’re passionate about coding and building innovative projects, then GA’s Software Engineering Immersive course is a great option. You’ll start by learning the essentials of software engineering. Then, as you move through the course, you’ll work to establish a solid grasp of front end and backend development. If the full-time immersive version of the course doesn’t work for you, there’s a part-time option as well.

User Experience Design

This course is for individuals with a keen eye for seamless designs. You’ll use your creative side as you explore the underlying concepts of user-centered design. If you enroll in this course, you’ll build a strong foundation of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) skills. Along the way, you will become a master of the iterative design methodology. You can take this course on either a full-time immersive or a part-time schedule.

Data Analytics

This course is General Assembly’s response to the growing demand for data analysis skills. A part-time only course, it trains students to use in-demand tools such as Excel, SQL, and Tableau like professional data analysts. Considering that data analysis is a must-have skill set in the modern business world, there are a lot of job opportunities in this field.

Front End Web Development

If you’re more interested in the front end than the backend side of web development, then this is the program for you. The course materials are geared toward providing you with the latest tools and strategies in the industry. You’ll acquire hands-on experience with various development tools, learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from the inside out. Unfortunately, you can only take this course on a part-time schedule.

JavaScript Development

Since JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages, General Assembly dedicates a whole course to JavaScript development. The curriculum employs cutting-edge concepts and tools to teach students how to build sleek JavaScript-based applications. In this course, you’ll learn best practices for JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Aside from these tools, you will learn how to use APIs to build complex applications properly. This course is only available on a part-time schedule.

Python Programming

General Assembly offers this part-time course for Python enthusiasts. The course covers the fundamentals of Python syntax and essential concepts like control flow and object-oriented programming. If you enroll, you will get to build web applications using one of the most popular programming languages on the planet.

React Development

React is a front end JavaScript library widely used for building single-page applications. In this part-time course, you’ll learn the essentials of React programming, the components of React, and how to streamline the coding process using JavaScript XML (JSX). As the course progresses, you will learn how to build web applications using the React Router package. Your real-world final project will be great for your portfolio, helping you ace your next job interview.

Admissions: How Do You Get Accepted to General Assembly?

Class sizes at General Assembly are kept small to maintain a high quality of learning. After you submit your application, a GA admissions representative will assess your qualifications and determine whether you get accepted.

General Assembly Application Process

The application process is straightforward. On the General Assembly website, you can declare your intent to apply by selecting the course you wish to enroll in. Afterward, you’ll need to fill out and submit your application form. The school’s admissions team will reach out to you once they’ve had a chance to review your application. Before you apply, we recommend that you check out one of General Assembly’s free events or workshops. This should give you a better understanding of what to expect from the program you have your eye on.

General Assembly Interview

During the interview process, the admissions team will assess how your experience and goals align with the course you applied to. For the full-time courses, you’ll also have to complete a written skills assessment. Once the application process is complete, you will wait to hear back from the admissions team about whether you got in.

Paying for General Assembly

If you’re accepted, you’ll need to pay an initial $150 deposit to secure your spot in the program. To make the cost of tuition more manageable for you, General Assembly offers several payment options. These include upfront payment, installments, an income share agreement (ISA), and loans.

Upfront Payment

Tuition for General Assembly’s full-time courses ranges from $13,650 to $15,950, including a registration fee of $150. For part-time courses, costs fall between $5,350 and $14,950.

Installments

For enrollees who cannot afford to pay upfront, General Assembly offers installment plans. You can choose to make two, three, or four installments. To learn more about the specific terms and details of each installment plan, you’ll need to reach out to the admissions team.

Income Share Agreement (ISA)

General Assembly also offers an ISA through its Catalyst program. Only available for full-time students residing in the United States, Catalyst means that you’ll only need to pay after you’ve completed the course and found a job. To apply for the Catalyst program, you’ll need to issue a request to the admissions team.

Loan Options

Another payment method to consider is a loan. General Assembly currently has partnerships with Climb and Meritize to provide loans. To qualify for this option, you need to be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

What Makes General Assembly Unique?

If you’re thinking about a career in tech, you’ll need to obtain the necessary skills and knowledge. And to do that, you’ll need the right kind of education. As more people begin to question whether universities can prepare students for the workforce, bootcamps like General Assembly are coming into favor. And what sets General Assembly apart from other skills providers is its wide range of high-quality tech courses. GA’s ever-evolving course catalog is constantly rising to meet the many needs of the tech sector.