How is the Grace Hopper Program Different from Fullstack Academy?
As our Grace Hopper Program continues to gain recognition, we get asked a lot: What differentiates Grace Hopper from Fullstack Academy?
While there are little to no differences in quality or hiring outcomes for grads of both programs, there are some key areas in which Grace Hopper is unique.
What Grace Hopper and Fullstack Have in Common
Let’s begin by covering what’s not different.
Both programs were founded as a way to offer students practical development skills—whether you’re yearning to get into the programming industry but have no experience or you’re jockeying for a new tech position that requires coding skills, bootcamp is a proven way to get from Point A to Point B.
Admissions Process
The admissions process is identical across our core programs.
We have a single admissions team that oversees both programs and reviews all applications. In addition, the same assessments and interviews are conducted, regardless of which school you’re applying to.
If you’re persistent about problem-solving, a good culture fit, and we feel like you’ll get—and give—a lot when it comes to bootcamp, we want you to be a part of our community.
Curriculum
The 17-week immersive schedule is also consistent between programs.
You’ll kick off with a month-long Foundations phase, move on to learn front- and back-end technologies, and progress through a Career Success program to prepare you for job searching.
In both tracks, you’ll practice coding drills so you feel more confident about tech interviews and so you’re exposed to emerging technologies.
Instructors
Our teaching staff in NYC switch between Grace Hopper and Fullstack cohorts, so students get exposed to different styles and instructors never feel stagnant.
The sole exception to this rule is that Grace Hopper has one dedicated NYC instructor since that community response has been enthusiastic.
We’ve found that having a consistent presence for students and alums has been a big added value for the program.
Strong Hiring Outcomes
Both programs offer access to our incredible network of instructors and potential employers.
You’ll be championed by your peers, fellows who have recently completed the program, and staff who thrive on getting you 100% job-ready.
No doubt about it: Across the board, our grads are highly sought after.
Cost and Facilities
As of April 2020, the up-front tuition for the NYC Fullstack full-time program and the Grace Hopper Program is $17,910.
The facilities are comparable, with both NYC programs taking place in the same building on separate floors. [Ed note: In response to COVID-19, all our classes are currently being taught remotely. Learn more.]
How Grace Hopper is Unique
Focused on Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Community
The most obvious (and important!) difference between Fullstack Academy and the Grace Hopper Program is the focus on providing an inclusive and supportive community for women+-identifying students. (Women+ means women-identifying, trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals.)
The Grace Hopper Program is the only coding bootcamp in New York City (and the East Coast) that focuses on addressing the gender gap in tech in this way.
Right now, we don’t offer the Grace Hopper Program in Chicago, but Chicago students still experience empowering events, implicit bias training in the classroom, and more.
Tackling Gender Disparity, One Cohort at a Time
Many women who came to Fullstack in the early years craved a safe, inclusive space where they could be vulnerable.
They confided in our founders about the systemic inequalities they saw between themselves and their male peers. Grace Hopper was borne from a desire to remedy these issues.
With this program, we’ve created a space in which students can admit their weaknesses and ask for help. There is a transparent focus on empathy and understanding that can be hard to find in other programs.
Lifelong Support from Women+ Coders
We believe it’s essential to have a network you can relate to.
When you’re out there in the trenches—likely surrounded by a mostly male workforce—it’s reassuring to know there are other women going through the same thing.
We often hear from our alums that they’ve forged lasting friendships at Grace Hopper and learned how to step into their power. Some alums go on to become involved in the greater community network of women coders, while others give back to the community by hiring and recruiting fellow alums.
The bottom line: Both of our programs are cutting-edge and will position you well within the industry.
However, the Grace Hopper Program offers a direct line to some inimitable benefits to the women+ community that you won’t find anywhere else—and the impacts of this program couldn’t be more timely.
Companies are increasingly looking to hire women and minorities to address the glaring disparities in the tech industry, and we’re proud to position historically marginalized groups to take on satisfying positions in tech.
