Craftsmanship Academy

Training the next generation of top software developers.

Application Process

Because this is an intense program covering a lot of material in a relatively short time, we want to make sure all applicants are prepared to be successful. Though it is not for the squeamish or the complete novice, we do want to encourage people to apply and, will provide shepherding to help those we feel are not yet qualified to close that gap. Applicants will be required to meet several prerequisites, submit a website demonstrating their coding skills, and complete an interview with Master Craftsman and program director, Ken Auer. Only the most promising individuals will be accepted, but all will be encouraged.

Step 1: Meet the Prerequisites

All applicants should:

Character Qualities

  • Desire to do a quality job rather than “just good enough”`
  • Demonstrate maturity, high ethics, and ability to work well with others.
  • Demonstrate mental stamina in problem solving; the ability to concentrate on difficult problems for extended periods of time.
  • Provide letters of reference with contact information to attest to the above.

Academic Skills

  • Demonstrate ability to clearly communicate well verbally or in written English.
  • Must possess grasp of basic Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry… i.e. solving for variables, understanding different shapes, and knowing the difference between a sine and a cosine. (Additional math through Calculus and Linear Algrebra is certainly a valuable asset to programming, but is not essential).
  • A foundation in hard sciences (e.g. high school level physics) is desired but not necessary. This will be more important for some internship sponsors than others.
  • Have completed AT LEAST their sophomore year in high school. Though further education is valued, we have found that it is not necessarily a critical success factor. If your education is only at the high school level, other exceptional real life experience is desired. We welcome qualified participants from homeschool, private, or government school backgrounds, junior college or university students or graduates. We also welcome those that are thinking about changing their career (see Are You Too Old To Code?)

Technology Skills

  • Have completed a formal or informal/self-directed introduction to programming (see note below) and be able to clearly articulate/demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts of:
    • Variables and their assignment
    • Types (of data)
    • Flow Control - which includes
      • Repetitive Loops (e.g. while loops)
      • Conditional Branches (e.g. if-else)
  • Demonstrate competence in simple HTML (we can recommend resources if you feel you don’t have this yet)
  • Any additional computer skills are a big plus.

NOTE: There will be a simple interactive test given to applicants. Failure will lead to directed study and, if application is received significantly before the deadline and openings remain, the test may be taken over.

Step 2: Build a Website

Each applicant must build a publicly available web site. The website serves a dual purpose: The content of the site will be written by the applicant to describe themselves and their qualifications, while the code behind the site will demonstrate competence using the language of the web. Accepted applicants will have their sites published as “incoming participants.”

Your website should conform to these requirements:

Include information about yourself:

  • your education
  • your experience with programming
  • a description of the tools/languages you used to build the website and how you used each
  • your ethical values
  • your goals
  • your evidence that you will be able to complete this intense immersion successfully (this may include, but not be limited to, personal references)
  • your views on learning and serving
  • your understanding of what it means to be a software craftsman and why you want to be one.

The source code of your site should demonstrate:

  • Understanding of the basics of html
  • Optionally an understanding of css or understanding of dynamic behavior using JavaScript (though this is preferred, not a requirement).

Step 3: Apply

Fill in the application with your name and contact info, a pointer to the URL of your website/application. Go to the application form page.

Costs

For Spring Entry

Skills Immersion - Part 1 - Craftsmanship in the Small (6 weeks resident, cost: $5,000 plus room/board if not commuting) February 25, 2013 - April 5, 2013 (Max class size: 6)

Skills Immersion - Part 2 - Craftsmanship that Scales (6 weeks resident or remote, cost: $2,000 plus room/board if not commuting) April 15, 2013 - May 24, 2013 (Can be longer if deferring Apprenticeship)

Apprenticeship: Project Immersion - Craftsmanship for Others (11 weeks resident over 13 calendar weeks, cost: $0 plus room/board if not commuting, potential earnings: $8-12/hr for work deemed billable to clients) June 3, 2013 - August 30, 2013

Paid Internship at an Agile Craftsmanship-Minded Company (1 year resident, potential earnings: $24,000-36,000) September 3, 2013 - August 29, 2014

Journeyman Certification test (5 day resident, cost: $500) September 8, 2014 - September 12, 2014

For Summer Entry

Skills Immersion - Part 1 - Craftsmanship in the Small (6 weeks resident, cost: $4,500 plus room/board if not commuting) July 8, 2013 - August 16, 2013 (Max class size: 10)

Skills Immersion - Part 2 - Craftsmanship that Scales (6 weeks resident or remote, cost: $2,000 plus room/board if not commuting) August 19, 2013 - September 27, 2013 (Can be longer if deferring Apprenticeship)

Apprenticeship: Project Immersion - Craftsmanship for Others (11 weeks resident over 13 calendar weeks, cost: $0 plus room/board if not commuting, potential earnings: $8-12/hr for work deemed billable to clients) September 30, 2013 - January 3, 2014

Paid Internship at an Agile Craftsmanship-Minded Company (1 year resident, potential earnings: $24,000-36,000) January 6, 2014 - January 2, 2015

Journeyman Certification test (5 day resident, cost: $500) January 12, 2015 - January 16, 2015

Other Expenses

Other expenses (room and board, transportation, etc.) are to be borne by the participant.

While commuters are certainly welcome at the Craftsmanship Academy, housing assistance may be available.

## Acceptance Notification and Payment Schedule #### Deadline for 2012 Program is June 30, 2012. There are still a few seats left! #### 2013 Program is tentatively scheduled to begin July 8, 2013. * Applicants will be accepted as early as September 15 to begin the program for the following year and will be accepted on a “Rolling Admission” basis, allowing three weeks from the time of application to acceptance (or conditional acceptance). * Applicants may be asked to attend a two-day preparatory session testing and expanding their programming knowledge. * Accepted participants will have 15 days to provide a non-refundable deposit of $2,000 to reserve their spot. _(Deposits will be refunded should the Academy be cancelled for any reason)_ * Once 12 accepted participants have provided their deposits, admission will be closed, though accepted applicants can be put on a waiting list if they so choose in case there are any cancellations. * The balance of the first session fee ($2,000 for a total of $4,000) is due two weeks before the session begins. * Application and acceptance into the second session will be determined three weeks before it begins, and fees must be received in full one week before the session begins. * Dropping out before the first two weeks is completed in the first session will allow a refund of one-half the session fees ($2,000). * There will be no refunds after the third week of the first session begins.

Some scholarships may become available.

If you have any questions, please contact us

While parental and other counsel is encouraged when considering whether or not to apply, we expect all applicants and potential applicants to speak for themselves at all times when communicating with us.

Applicants under the age of eighteen must have the written permission of their parents or legal guardians to participate.