Apply for Founders and Coders

The process

Our admissions process has three steps:

1. A short application form
2. A conversational interview
3. A pair programming interview or meetup

After each step, we will determine whether to invite you to the next stage. The entire process usually takes between three and four weeks, but it can be completed in as little as one week if we are able to review your application quickly and you are efficient about scheduling your interviews.

The application form

The first step in the process is to fill out the application form.

You should also begin working through the pre-course materials. You can apply before you complete the pre-course materials, but we expect you to have made good progress on Kaggle prior to the start of the programme.

The conversational interview

If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be sent a link to book a time to meet. We try to have slots available at a variety of times on both weekdays and weekends.

Before the interview, we expect you to read through the pre-interview reading materials.

The interview is intended to be a general conversation. We want to learn more about your interests, what you're working on, why you want to attend our course, and what you hope to gain from your time with us. Conversational interviews typically last between 7 and 20 minutes and are usually conducted over a video call using Hangouts.

There are no trick questions, and you won't be expected to program anything. We may ask some technical questions related to your application or projects you're working on. You'll also have an opportunity to ask us questions to help you determine if Founders and Coders is a good fit for you.

Following the conversational interview, your interviewer will decide whether or not to invite you to a second interview. Once they have made a decision, they will email you to let you know. We will aim to provide a decision within a week.

If you require accommodations for your interviews (such as accommodations for hearing, vision, learning, or other needs), please email us at ml@foundersandcoders.com after submitting your application.

The pairing interview

If you regularly attend our meetups and we can see that you are ready to start the programme, we will likely skip this stage of the process and offer you a place. However, if we still need to get to know you, we will probably invite you for a pairing interview.

For your pairing interview, you'll need to share your screen and pair program with an interviewer on a Kaggle you’ve written or a machine learning project you have been working on. We use Hangouts for screen-sharing.

Our goal is to learn what it's like to work with you and how good you are at explaining your ideas.

After the pairing interview, your interviewers will evaluate your performance and decide whether or not to admit you to the programme. You'll either receive an invitation to confirm your programme, or an email notifying you that we don't think programme is a fit for you at this time.

FAQ

1. What do we look for in a candidate?

   We look for technical experience and an employer to partner with for your apprenticeship. You can read more here.

2. How do I communicate the programme to an employer?

   In general, we advise that you work out how this programme will benefit your employer. We have written some guidance which you can read here.

3. What is the length of the intensive?

   Our intensive programme lasts for six weeks.

4. What are the hours for the intensive?

   Days run Monday-Friday from 9am until 6pm. You will be given 24/7 access to the classroom.

5. When should I apply?

   Applications are always open, with new programmes beginning multiple times per year. Typically, applications for a programme close about two weeks before the programme begins, or when the programme is full, depending on which occurs first.

6. Do you provide interview feedback?

   We do not provide individualised admissions feedback when rejecting a candidate.

7. Can I reapply?

   You’re welcome to reapply, but you must wait at least three months after the decision on your previous application. It’s not uncommon for us to admit people who we had previously rejected. In fact, many successful applicants will apply at least twice before being admitted. If you do reapply, we care most about seeing what’s changed since the last time you applied.