So you’ve decided you want to enroll in a data science bootcamp. The application deadlines aren’t for another month. Should you apply now? It might be easy to put off the application process until a later date. So, how do you decide? It turns out there are some important benefits to applying early. Here are just a few  reasons why you might want to reconsider procrastinating on your application:

• You’ll be able to make an educated decision about which program to choose:

Starting the application process early will give you time to visit the campuses, meet alumni or current students, and research past student projects. You may even be able to attend a few info sessions or course demos to acquaint yourself with the teaching style and curriculum. Investing time in comparing bootcamps and reviewing student outcome data will help you make the best choice.

• You’ll have a better chance of succeeding:

An evaluation of NYC Data Science Academy’s 500+ data science bootcamp enrollments from 2015 to 2019 revealed that students who applied for at least 4 weeks before the start date performed better on assignments and group projects, and were more likely to get a job. In addition, according to NYC Data Science Academy’s admissions team, students who applied 6-8 weeks prior to the start date had a better chance of being accepted compared to those who apply close to the start date.

• You’ll have time to complete the prework:

In order to succeed in the bootcamp,  students should ideally have worked in both R and Python, as well as be comfortable with basic concepts in linear algebra, calculus, and statistics. For those who are new to coding in Python and R, prework is a great way to get started! NYC Data Science Academy’s prework includes a total of forty hours of lecture videos and over two hundred coding challenge questions which can be completed in 2-4 weeks. rework also includes staff recommendations for readings in statistics, linear algebra, and calculus. In total, the prework takes around one hundred hours to complete

In addition to the prework, students can also take our in-person short courses based in NYC. The cost of short courses is fully deductible from the tuition of the bootcamp. We encourage students to take short courses both as a preview of our courses and to be well prepared for the bootcamp itself.

• Applying early reduces stress:

Most in-person and remote data science bootcamps let students apply at least six months in advance. Applying early gives you plenty of time to make arrangements for the upcoming change in your routine. Students who are changing cities will benefit from extra time to find housing and make travel plans. If you need to quit your job or take a sabbatical, applying early will give you more time to transition. 

Application Process:

According to the latest SwitchUp rankings, NYC Data Science Academy is one of the best data science bootcamps. Their next bootcamps start January 6 and March 30, 2020.

The application process consists of three parts: an online written application, a virtual or in-person interview with an admissions officer, and a technical assessment.

The written application takes about 10 minutes. It is designed to help us get a sense of your educational and work experience. After reading your application, they will send you an invitation via email to schedule a virtual interview. The interview helps them understand why you want to pursue a career in data science and how NYCDSA is the best fit for your goals. The technical assessment consists of short coding challenges. You can use any programming languages you feel comfortable with to solve the challenges.

 They deliver a decision to you within a week of the technical assessment with information about next steps.

NYC Data Science Academy accepts some talented individuals who don’t have any coding experience. They can teach you, too! They encourage people with zero coding background to apply at least six weeks ahead of the bootcamp start date, to allow enough time to finish a solid prework plan. For more information, visit https://nycdatascience.com/data-science-bootcamp/