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42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

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Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#61

Post by j_h_s »

schmoll wrote: post #58
gravypod wrote: post #16

Why did they move to such an expensive area? If their goal is to provide services and help everyone why not build your university in an area like Detroit? No one who is really interested won't go because of the location and it makes rent really cheap. Hell, you could also have the Detroit government chip in and give you a great deal on land. What is bad for an economy about bringing some of our nations smartest progr…

I hear they're not in San Francisco, but in Fremont, CA, which is somewhere around the Bay, but not technically in the Silicon Valley (it's about an hour away of public transportation from the interesting places), which explains why it's probably more affordable over there.

To be honest most of the bay area is at best only slightly more affordable than San Francisco. According to trulia, median rent in Fremont is about $3200 (http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Fremont-California/market-...), compared to $4500 in San Francisco (http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/San_Francisco-California/). Factor in the expense of a car, which is necessary in Fremont but not San Francisco, and the prices look significantly more balanced.

In this case, it seems like it would have been a better choice to build the school in San Francisco proper, than its outskirts. The marginal gains in affordability aren't worth sacrificing proximity to the tech industry.

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#62

Post by j_h_s »

venomsnake wrote: post #27
danso wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Coding is a pathway to IT literacy. Complaining about teaching code is analogous to complaining about teaching how to write.

It is not a pathway - it is a side effect of it. Most self taught geeks have started from "wanting to do something" and "make a computer program to do it" as the solution. It is a nice skill, but I would never code something until I have exhausted the other (lazier) possibilities.

I agree wholeheartedly. I've met too many developers who can't even use a command line.

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#64

Post by schmoll »

j_h_s wrote: post #61
schmoll wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hear they're not in San Francisco, but in Fremont, CA, which is somewhere around the Bay, but not technically in the Silicon Valley (it's about an hour away of public transportation from the interesting places), which explains why it's probably more affordable over there.

To be honest most of the bay area is at best only slightly more affordable than San Francisco. According to trulia, median rent in Fremont is about $3200 ( http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Fremont-California/market-... ), compared to $4500 in San Francisco ( http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/San_Francisco-California/ ). Factor in the expense of a car, which is necessary in Fremont but not San Francisco, and the pric…

Hm, fair point. So, basically same insane budget, but very much away from all of the interesting tech scene; what's not to like? ;)

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#65

Post by fbucher »

jnbiche wrote: post #50
iFelix wrote: post #49

I'm surprised with all the negative comments focusing on the age limit. Xavier Niel committed millions to launch the school in Paris and it was an immense success which already benefits to the whole ecosystem. What is not said in the video is the type of candidates they are looking for. In France, as education is free, traditional "excellent" high school student don't apply to 42 and prefer to secure a place in the n…

> Curious to see what type of students will go there. Well, we know they'll all be between the ages 18-30. And yes, tuition fees are a real problem here, for people of all ages. Shame he chose to limit the program to a demographic that is already welcome and advantaged in the US's technical community.

All people over 30 can send us an email and we look To all files. When we think it can match we let people over 30 to come. In Paris we have a lot of people over 30. We also work with the french gov service for unemployed people over 50 and we have special cursus for them To give them basics to apply To new jobs. But the Time and investment needed the first year can clearly destroy people over 30 who have already family children ...

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#66

Post by fbucher »

jbob2000 wrote: post #8
melvinmt wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing most people over 30 can not commit to a 3-year full time study, but it's weird indeed that they're not even allowed in.

3 years of study ?? What!? That's insane, you do not need 3 years of study to enter this industry. At that point, I may as well go and get a Computer Science degree at a local college and at least have a legitimate degree.

3 years is the basic cursus. You can do it in one year if you are able to. You can also Just take the skills you want and leave. Its on your own

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#67

Post by fbucher »

nappybrainiac wrote: post #38
melvinmt wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing most people over 30 can not commit to a 3-year full time study, but it's weird indeed that they're not even allowed in.

I'm sure that if they are looking for a change in career, taking some time off to make that change is not really a choice. I'm 43, and enrolled at Holberton School, which is project based. Granted, I'm only taking 2 years off, but by the time the 9th month rolls around we will be interning in San Franciso (and possibly around the World). Some of those internships are paid.

If you are at Holberton you are In a great place so no worries :-)

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#68

Post by fbucher »

gravypod wrote: post #16

Why did they move to such an expensive area? If their goal is to provide services and help everyone why not build your university in an area like Detroit? No one who is really interested won't go because of the location and it makes rent really cheap. Hell, you could also have the Detroit government chip in and give you a great deal on land. What is bad for an economy about bringing some of our nations smartest progr…

If you have no money and from far away you can apply and ask for the dorm. They are Free also. Only expense will be the food and what you do outside the School.

Re: 42 comes to Silicon Valley: free, non profit coding university

#70

Post by grrrrreg »

There's an already existing university in San Francisco named Holberton School running on this non-profit, peer-reviewed, project-based non traditional curriculum. If the arbitrary limit set by 42 excludes you, Holberton doesn't and diversity is actually one of their grander mandates. I have spoken with the current students and school staff: they really are getting quality training. (Disclaimer: I'm a mentor at this school)
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