amirahaile

Hello! I'm Amira. I like to draw and make things and post them here for you to enjoy.

[amirahaile]

Hi! Do you know how long it typically takes to hear back from Ada for Phase 2? I applied to C6 (first round) but still haven't heard anything. Does Ada wait to send out rejections until they've completed the interview process or in waves?

No idea. Email [email protected] if you have questions about the application process.

[amirahaile]

Hey that is weird. They still show the Facebook scholarship on their site. Why do you think that is?

In regards to Hackbright…? I don’t know; it’s been a year. They were recently acquired, so maybe that has something to do with it. 

[amirahaile]

I just keep going back and forth with myself because I have so many concerns. Bootcamp or CS degree. Has it been difficult looking for a job without a CS degree? I want a CS degree mostly to have my bachelors because I know thats something thats looked at, but I like the hands on approach offered at Ada and other bootcamps that is lacking at regular university. I don't want to sit through a bunch of theory courses but I also don't want to be turned away for a lack of Bachelors.

You should probably talk to someone who has a CS degree & ask them how much their formal education has been used in the real world. From what I've gathered most of its theory & maybe 1 or 2 classes are practical. I haven't started the job hunt, but most companies don't mind equivalent experience in lieu of the degree. Really it's the work you can show off that matters. Still apply to both; keep your options open. (:

[amirahaile]

Hey! It's been a while since I last messaged you after my rejection from Ada. I was in a slump for a really long time after, but I've finally pulled myself out. Now more than ever do I want to work as a software developer, and I'm beginning to move myself towards the goal. I've decided to go back to university and get a degree in CSS. It's really nice to see people like you(black women) that are in this field-it's very encouraging when it seems like the odds are against me. Thanks so much!

Ah! I'm so happy that applying to Ada reaffirmed your commitment to programming. Sometimes the doubt gets to you but then one thing goes right & you remember you love it. Did you get disqualified for being too experienced? If not, the applications for C6 just opened up & I HIGHLY recommend you try again. Some of the most successful Adies I know applied 2 or 3 times. Regardless – good luck with your career & keep me posted!

[amirahaile]

I'm gearing up to apply for the most current cohort, and am wondering how much of UX was covered in time at ADA? I'm hoping to become an interaction designer for video games, and while that requires some coding, it's for the most part a UX type of job.

Ada's curriculum doesn't touch on UX at all. The aim of Ada is to provide you with the skills of a full-stack web developer and though you can definitely use those skills to propel you into different industries/tech stacks, I wouldn't recommend applying if you want to learn interaction design.

[lovelysuggestion]

each time I tell you those three words I mean them more and more

[strangefriendperson-deactivated]

we dem boys

[amirahaile]

I originally liked this *thread* because someone gave a funny three word response (not this one). Interesting to know that Tumblr doesn't treat their reblogs like Twitter treats retweets; the activity is attached to the original post, not the thread. Which feels weird cause the way they changed the UI made me think they were putting more emphasis on the community…

[amirahaile]

If I didn't get in is it okay to contact Ada to ask what I am improve upon? Should I target someone in particular instead of the contact email?

As a professional, I always think it’s a good idea to ask for feedback.

As someone within the Ada org, I don’t know how helpful it’d be. Targeting someone specific wouldn’t be any better than using the contact email – there’s like 5 people on Ada staff, haha. Hopefully they can give you some constructive feedback (in time – those guys are super swamped) but they also might not be able to disclose much since a lot of people’s opinions go into the application process. Ask for something specific – What disqualified me from this cohort? What were my weaknesses? Etc.

No harm in trying! 

[amirahaile]

Ah today is the day I find out!!

…how’d it go?? I was really expecting a second message from you!

[amirahaile]

In regards to breaks during Ada, when were they scheduled? It says the next cohort has 3 week long breaks scheduled.

Every cohort starts at a different time of the year, so each of the breaks are different. I think they try to coincide them with big holidays; my cohort got a week off for July 4th, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

[amirahaile]

Hi Mira! I just learned that C5 interview already started on Nov 12, but I didn't get any letter from ADA Academy, does it mean that I wasn't picked(( so sad. I want apply next time again. I would like to get advise what I can do better in my second attempt.

That's super weird; typically you'd get a letter regardless. I'm not sure I can give specific advice for C6 apps. A lot changed since I applied to Ada and it seems like the app process will be iterated upon yet again. Do your best & keep learning in the meantime.

[amirahaile]

Hi, your blog has been really helpful as I applied for Ada last month, so thank you for sharing your experience here! I was wondering if you have any suggestions for preparing for the in-person technical interview? Thanks

Woo! Just got a message C5 interviews start today, so I’m hoping you find this in time for yours! Prepare for the interview just like you would a regular job interview. Clothes don’t matter as much though; look put together but be comfortable. The technical interview (at least the one for my cohort) wasn’t something you could prepare for – stay calm, think through it, and think out loud. Good luck!

[amirahaile]

Hey Mira, I'm thinking about Ada. I was wondering what prep you would suggest before applying to the program and if the loan they offered was enough to cover your stay. I'd have to relocate and the cost of all of this kinda intimidates me. Also, how long did it take most students to get jobs afterward?

Ada doesn’t require any previous coding experience, so don’t fret! If you know some things, great. If not, you can still apply and get in. Every cohort has a handful of students that have never typed a line of code. 

The loan they offered my cohort served me well. I had a bit of savings in addition, but I didn’t need to touch it much (when I did, it’s usually ‘cuz I was splurging). And I live in one of Seattle’s most expensive neighborhoods! Do the math; it’s likely you can make it work. 

I’m months away from job hunting, but every student in the second cohort has officially found a job (they graduated end of August). I’d say ~80% of them found jobs before they even graduated.

[amirahaile]

LADIES!

Did you miss out on Ada Developers Academy’s last application round? Well, you’re in luck! The fifth cohort is upon us!! (I know – so soon! Okay, enough exclamation points.)

I made a post about applying during the last cohort’s application window and that info still applies. Message me your questions! Tweet me your concerns! Applications open October 7 and will remain open for three weeks (closes Oct. 26 at 5 PM PST). Class starts January 25th. Here’s the video of the last informational session.

Please, please apply! We need more women like you in tech! We need more diversity! Ada is seriously the best bootcamp I’ve heard of and it’s worth a shot at the very least. APPLY!

[amirahaile]

After a while, the “Welcome to Programming” / “Welcome to [language]” response to an observation and/or bug starts to get a little old and even a bit undermining.

[amirahaile]

Well, shit. I haven’t posted since our first week-long break.

Since then, my cohort has done a solo Rails projects, a two week four-person group Rails project, my mentor accepted a FT position at her company, and Ada closed their application window for the fourth cohort! That’s kind of a lot for a month. 

(Did I mention my cohort is officially half-way through the classroom portion of the program?! What’s crazier is that most bootcamps would throw you out into the real world at this point. Blegh, so happy to stay in my incubator, thanks!)

This past month has been the most self-instructed by far. As exciting as this all is, it’s also a lot of work. Every day I’m exhausted. There’s practically no lectures – just project time all day, every day. So you’re coding on your project for eight hours of class time then you’re likely to go home just to work on it some more. Rinse and repeat. Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop while Ada gets crazier. I’m thankful that I moved here for Ada; it seems like the girls who had lives here in Seattle are having trouble balancing both.

“Life crises have a way of happening at inconvenient times.” –Amelia Earhart

I’ve had my fair share of life drama, but luckily I can simply turn off my phone and ignore it for a while. Not everyone can escape their lives that easily. I’m doing my best to be a conscious classmate and team member, letting the Adies know I’m available and not having crazy work expectations, but you can only do so much as an outsider. Apparently, the work life balance is supposed to get easier when we’ve got more free time in our internships… we’ll see.

[amirahaile]

This post is pretty hilarious to me. Right after I published it, my personal life pretty much went to shit. It's hard to stay focused in class, but I'm also grateful for the distraction.

[amirahaile]

This is Not A Competition

The first week of Ada was primarily ice-breakers and get-to-know you exercises. Usually, this is my least favorite part of starting something new. You spend all this time trying to figure out what’s something original and cool to say when asked, “What’s something most people wouldn’t guess about you?” (I don’t know? I was a cheerleader for two years? But, you’d kind of have to know me to find that hard to guess…) Thankfully, the exercises were a lot more interesting than that. 

Anyway, during this time, my cohort created our classroom contract – think of it as a code of conduct. We brainstormed as a class the qualities we’d like to see in ourselves and our classmates and what might be the best ways to handle difficult interpersonal situations. They’re mostly ‘duh’ statements like “be kind (to yourself and others)” and “be inclusive,” but there’s one that I’ve struggled with since the beginning: this (the program, the internships, learning, etc.) is not a competition. 

My cohort is made up of the top 10% of Ada’s Winter applicants. We’re each accustomed to being in the top percentile of whatever we do. But there is no “best student” in Ada. There is no “best internship” either. The reason why Ada is so different from other bootcamps is because of it’s community and culture – which would not be possible in a competitive, cutthroat environment. We’re a genuinely supportive and caring bunch that have on multiple occasions said, “Every one of us is graduating from this cohort. Even if we have to mob rush you to class everyday. All. Of. Us.” 

After four months, it’s getting easier to stop comparing in the classroom. Since we’ve started bigger projects, we’ve also started demoing our web apps to the class before turning them in. There’s a little bit of, “Oh shit, and I thought ours was really cool…” but it’s overwhelming more of, “Holy hell, that’s brilliant! Show us how you did that!” Anytime someone complains (okay, it’s usually me), “Why does everyone like <company>! I want <company>!” there’s a quick “This is not a competition!” retort.

I’m so appreciative of that reminder. That little sentence means a lot:

Don’t rank us. We all have different skill sets and talents. My strength may be your weakness, but also vice versa. I may be a better fit for Company X, but the experience you’ll get from Company Z will be just as invaluable.

No one will be “the best.” So don’t be stingy with your knowledge; share it. If we better each other, we can raise the bar as a group.*

You are not alone. Even if you feel like the only one “not getting it,” we’ve all been lost at some point; you won’t be left to fail. We’re a community—all in this together—and we’ll support you. 

The difficult part now, personally, is applying this idea to my world outside of Ada. The environment and culture we’ve created within our cohort feels like we’re in a safe bubble, ripe to be popped by The Real World™ and I’m desperate to conserve it. I figure if I can make this culture a part of Me, I can carry it through my internship and potentially, to my first dev job (and beyond). 

* This one is particularly awesome, because the higher the cohort is regarded, the better the Ada reputation will be, and the higher you and future cohorts will be regarded in the tech industry (e.g. better job offers, more prestige, more respect, etc.).

[amirahaile]

I am applying to the latest Ada Cohort, but I would have to uproot and move from the east coast to Seattle-- if I were to be accepted anyway (I'm from the D.C. area). I guess I wanna ask, how did you go about relocating? Did you go up first and scope out apartments, or do all of your hunting online? Should I bother trying to drive over, or just opt for using the bus system? Was it easy to get a loan after quitting your job? Or find an apartment without proof of employment? Ack! So many questions

Hey! First – congrats on applying! This program could literally change your life so props to you for being game. 

Relocating was nerve-wracking, especially since I had never visited Seattle (I’ll assume you’re in the same boat). I went the easy route: I found a microapartment in the city that was centrally located (location was a big deal for me). It’s not luxury, but it definitely works and the space isn’t an issue (I got a the larger of the units available). Hunting online was frustrating since you couldn’t see the place IRL (some girls asked landlords to send them pics/video) and Seattle places go QUICK. One girl did come two weeks before the program and was able to find a place by walking around (most landlords don’t post online). I didn’t have any trouble with the legal parts of getting a lease – bring your taxes and pay stubs?I HIGHLY recommend walking/using the bus. Not that the bus is great, but keeping a car in Seattle would be a pain. Parking is expensive, hard to find, and everything is so close it feels kind of pointless. Ada will be providing students a loan with a competitive rate, so you don’t have to figure that out (unless you want to go alone on that).  

And if you have more questions – don’t worry. Some of us from Cohort 3 are putting together a Transplants Guide for those of you who will be relocating. 👍🏾