Ada Core is an 11-month program teaching full-stack web development with a practical focus. We cover Python, SQL, Flask, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, and computer science fundamentals. Learn how to code, advocate for yourself in the industry, and cultivate your tech community.
The Classroom
Ada uses a cohort model for its classroom, where students move through the curriculum together from start to finish with a strong emphasis on community over competition. Students learn by doing, and our dedicated Instructors, staff, and volunteers are the guides in the process.
Our 6-month classroom experience covers the following:
- Unit 1: Programming Fundamentals
- Unit 2: Intro to Back-End Web Development
- Unit 3: Intro to Front-End and Full-Stack Web Development
- Capstone: Independent/Group Projects
- Unit 4: Computer Science Fundamentals (CS Fun)
- Throughout the classroom experience, students will also have the opportunity to learn about how to work with AI tools such as:
◦ ChatGPT,
◦ GitHub Copilot, and
◦ OpenAI API
“Don’t compare. Discover what you are good at and develop it.”
“Figure out your routine early on. You must sleep, probably more than you normally do. You must go outside. You must move your body. You need to take care of yourself physically and mentally to be successful. Also, make friends! The other students are going to be incredible support systems.”
“Work hard, but allow yourself to have fun if you feel you have the bandwidth. It goes quickly, so sometimes it’s fine to spend a day with your friends instead of doing homework.”
“Explore and find what works best, whether it’s learning first thing in the morning or late in the evening. Don’t be afraid to adjust as needed.”
“You’re taking a big risk. I know it’s scary, but I promise you that when you come out the other side, you will take so much away from this experience. Please believe it when people tell you that you can do this. Also, please sleep, and please lean on your people!”
*Responses from a recent cohort, edited for clarity.Applied Learning: The Internship
Upon successful completion of the classroom experience, students are assigned an internship with one of our Corporate Partners.
Over the course of 5 months, they join a supportive team of software development professionals to build technical, communication, and problem-solving skills in a real-world production environment, learn about the diverse day-to-day experiences of tech workers, and prepare for their career after Ada.
Community of Support
| Career Services | Volunteers | Living Stipend |
| Curated resources and experiences to help students in their career exploration, job search, interview preparation, and more | Welcoming tech professionals, offering their expertise, mock interviews, office hours, mentorship, and tutoring | A monthly stipend to offset living expenses during 5 months of the Internship |
| Alumni | Resources | High-Quality Instruction |
| Over 1000 graduates over the past 10 years, living and working across the tech sector | Mental health and wellness resources through a partnership with Uwill | Dedicated professionals who bring their industry experience, train in adult learning theory and commit to student success |
Learn More
What should I prepare before applying?
Our program is 11 months long, and the average job search in tech can take 6 – 18 months in a strong market. We encourage prospective students to plan and budget for their career journeys before applying and make the best decision for their success and the overall well-being of themselves and their families.
The classroom portion is virtual, so we require that students have a reliable workspace with internet access. Also, we require that students use a MacBook that meets the following specifications:
- Macbook Air with M1 (2020 or newer)
- Macbook Pro (2017 or newer)
- 8 GB RAM minimum
- 64 GB drive space minimum, with 8 GB space available
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be an adult (21 years of age or more) living in the United States and have permanent work authorization when you apply and throughout the full duration of the program. DACA recipients are eligible to apply to the program.
Ada’s mission is to prepare women and gender-expansive adults (21+) to be software developers while advocating for inclusive and equitable work environments. We primarily serve and address the needs of Black, Latine, Indigenous Americans, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and low-income adults.
What sort of qualities are you looking for in prospective students?
Our community is vibrant. “Adies,” current students and graduates of our programs, are artists, carers, leaders, storytellers, explorers, and so much more. We find that folks who have their own ways of demonstrating the following qualities thrive in the Ada environment:
- Interested in Tech and Coding: Adies are technologists. They have a genuine enthusiasm for technology and its role in our lives.
- Curiosity: Adies are lifelong learners. They explore, ask questions, fail, practice, seek out feedback, and celebrate when others do the same.
- Persistence: Adies are optimistic and realistic. They show up for themselves and for other people regularly.
- Community-Oriented: Adies are purposeful in their careers. They believe in our shared vision of claiming economic power for marginalized communities, lifting others as they climb and build for themselves.
- Self-Understanding/Self-Awareness: Adies are mindful. They reflect on their connections, their time, and how they stay organized and engaged on their journeys.
What is the application process?
For our most recent cohorts, we’ve averaged about 800 applications. To process this large number, we review applications on a rolling basis.
Additionally, beginning in 2024, our cohort sizes will be determined by the number of internship seats. Therefore, the final size of the cohort may be less than our original goal. Please see below for a high-level overview of our application process.
What are the outcomes of recent cohorts?
See below for the self-reported data from our most recent cohorts.
| Cohort 16 Graduated July 2022 | Cohort 17 Graduated January 2023 | Cohort 18 Graduated July 2023 | |
| Grads who reported employment in tech six months after graduation | 78 | 63 | 59 |
| Cohort Size | 93 | 108 | 152 |
| Response Rate | 84% | 58% | 39% |