What we
look for
look for
Lambda School is a fast-paced, immersive, online education experience. It’s important to ask yourself, “Is this right for me?” Below are a few of the qualities it will take to be successful in our courses.
Determined
Classes are 40 hours a week for 6 months. When you join Lambda, you’ll receive over 900 hours of guided instruction. Becoming a developer or data scientist in such a short amount of time is hard. Successful students are strong problem solvers. They're confident they can find an answer, even if it means putting in a little extra time.
Proactive
The students we see thrive in our classes are the students who tackle assignments quickly, immediately look to solve problems on their own, and take advantage of after-class hours for additional help with concepts they don’t understand. The best students take an active role in their own learning and constantly strive to improve their knowledge of what they’re being taught.
Team Player
Our classes are designed to help prepare you for the workplace. As a result, a lot of class time is dedicated to group projects. A team player collaborates with other students, has good communication skills, takes feedback well, and acts professionally in class and on Slack.
Digitally Savvy
We spend the majority of class time diving into the curriculum. You should feel extremely comfortable with how a computer works including: touch-typing, web browsers, search engines, and basic computer programs.
Career Focused
Our students don’t join Lambda School to learn a skill, they join to start a new career. Our curriculum incorporates career and professional development starting on day one, and our most successful students know that they need to prioritize their professional development as much as their technical skills.
Gritty
Are you excited by the opportunity to solve problems and comfortable with not understanding everything right away? While we’ll provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to solve problems, we’ll deliberately push you outside of your comfort zone to apply those skills in unfamiliar situations. Learning to code is only one piece of the puzzle. You’ll rarely be shown how to solve problems in the workplace, so Lambda students graduate with the ability to autonomously tackle unique problems wherever they face them.
Course schedules
Classes are live and online. You must have 95% attendance in order to graduate. Every day is unique, but below is an example of what a day might look like.
Pick your time zone and make sure one of the 3 options below fits your schedule.
(This schedule below is illustrative; actual schedule differs unit by unit, but start and end times for each module remain consistent.)
Pick your time zone and make sure one of the 3 options below fits your schedule.
(This schedule below is illustrative; actual schedule differs unit by unit, but start and end times for each module remain consistent.)
8:00 - 9:00 am
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins.
9:00 - 11:00 am
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance.
11:00 - 12:00 pm
Lunch Break
12:00 - 3:45 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from peers and teachers in Slack.
3:45 - 4:15 pm
Project Wrap
Take a daily survey about your progress
4:15 - 5:00 pm
Stand Up
Meet daily with your Project Manager and 6 to 8 students for support
9:00 - 10:00 am
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins
10:00 - 12:00 pm
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lunch Break
1:00 - 4:45 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from peers and teachers in Slack
4:45 - 5:15 pm
Project Wrap
Take a daily survey about your progress
5:15 - 6:00 pm
Stand Up
Meet daily with your Project Manager and 6 to 8 students for support
10:00 - 11:00 pm
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins
11:00 - 1:00 pm
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
2:00 - 5:45 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from peers and teachers in Slack
5:45 - 6:15 pm
Project Wrap
Take a daily survey about your progress
6:15 - 7:00 pm
Stand Up
Meet daily with your Project Manager and 6 to 8 students for support
11:00 - 12:00 pm
Warm up
Personal time to review the day's materials before instruction begins
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Guided Project
Build a project while following the instructor's guidance
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Lunch Break
3:00 - 6:45 pm
Project Time
Build on your own and get help along the way from peers and teachers in Slack
6:45 - 7:15 pm
Project Wrap
Take a daily survey about your progress
7:15 - 8:00 pm
Stand Up
Meet daily with your Project Manager and 6 to 8 students for support
Requirements
Before you apply to Lambda, make sure all of these statements are true for you.
I am very passionate about finding a job in tech.
I understand how challenging Lambda is going to be.
I am confident that I can attend class according to the schedule.
I understand that the coursework is live and online.
I have access to a computer, WiFi, and quiet workspace.
I am excited to collaborate with others students.
I want to improve my professional skills, not just technical.
I am comfortable asking for help when I need it.
Advice from graduates
Tuition options
Lambda School offers a variety of tuition options to make a quality tech education available to anyone. Whether you want to learn coding free now and pay later with an Income Share Agreement (ISA) or Retail Installment Contract (RIC), pay tuition in installments, or pay full tuition upfront, we have a financing option for you.
Pay $0 upfront + ISA
Our Income Share Agreement is $0 upfront + 17% of salary for two years, $30k USD maximum total payment. Must be a US citizen (excluding California residents), Permanent resident, or DACA recipient.
Learn more
Learn more
Pay tuition in installments
Students can choose to pay tuition in three installments, with the first due by their cohort enrollment deadline. The total amount of tuition you owe may vary depending on which state you live in.
Pay tuition upfront
Instead of a deferred tuition option, students can choose to make one upfront tuition payment. The total amount owed may vary by state.
Admissions Process
1
Complete an application
First, tell us your name and email address (be sure it's an account you check regularly), and choose a password. You'll use these credentials to access your class materials, so please choose a strong password that you'll remember.
Next, you’ll agree to the Lambda School Privacy Policy, which tells us that you understand how we might use your information and how we protect your data.
Once you fill out all the required fields and hit “Submit,” you’ll be redirected to the Lambda School Admissions Dashboard. There, you'll fill in your personal information, tell us about your background, and agree to the attendance policy – Lambda School is an immersive experience and we require 95% live class attendance to graduate.
Then, you'll select whether you’ll pay tuition upfront or sign an Income Share Agreement (ISA). You can learn more about the ISA by watching this 1-minute ISA intro video, or by checking out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Lastly, you'll choose which program you want to enroll in. Not sure? Take this short quiz to get matched to your perfect course.
After you complete your application, it will be sent to our Admissions Team for review. Applications to Lambda School are assessed on a rolling basis. If you’re selected to proceed with the application process, we’ll send you an email in 1-2 days.
Next, you’ll agree to the Lambda School Privacy Policy, which tells us that you understand how we might use your information and how we protect your data.
Once you fill out all the required fields and hit “Submit,” you’ll be redirected to the Lambda School Admissions Dashboard. There, you'll fill in your personal information, tell us about your background, and agree to the attendance policy – Lambda School is an immersive experience and we require 95% live class attendance to graduate.
Then, you'll select whether you’ll pay tuition upfront or sign an Income Share Agreement (ISA). You can learn more about the ISA by watching this 1-minute ISA intro video, or by checking out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Lastly, you'll choose which program you want to enroll in. Not sure? Take this short quiz to get matched to your perfect course.
After you complete your application, it will be sent to our Admissions Team for review. Applications to Lambda School are assessed on a rolling basis. If you’re selected to proceed with the application process, we’ll send you an email in 1-2 days.
2
Pass the entrance tests
Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)
Now we'll ask you to complete a brief assessment called the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, which helps us predict your ability to be successful at Lambda School and in your future career.
The CCAT consists of 50 questions, and you will have 15 minutes to complete the test. It's normal not to finish all 50 questions in the time allotted, so take a deep breath, do your best, and find a quiet place to work before you begin. You can find a free downloadable CCAT study guide here.
Skills Challenge
If you are applying to the Data Science program, you will also be required to complete a Data Science skills challenge at this stage which must be passed with a score of 11/15. You will have 45 minutes to complete the challenge. Check out our DS Challenge study guide for help preparing.
Verify Your Education
If you live in DC, CA, or TX, we'll need to verify your educational background. You can upload one of the following:
1. College Transcripts
2. High School Diploma
3. GED Certificate
Alternatively, you can take the Wonderlic basic skills test. More information about ATB tests can be found here: https://wonderlic.com/atb-testing-state-level/.
Now we'll ask you to complete a brief assessment called the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, which helps us predict your ability to be successful at Lambda School and in your future career.
The CCAT consists of 50 questions, and you will have 15 minutes to complete the test. It's normal not to finish all 50 questions in the time allotted, so take a deep breath, do your best, and find a quiet place to work before you begin. You can find a free downloadable CCAT study guide here.
Skills Challenge
If you are applying to the Data Science program, you will also be required to complete a Data Science skills challenge at this stage which must be passed with a score of 11/15. You will have 45 minutes to complete the challenge. Check out our DS Challenge study guide for help preparing.
Verify Your Education
If you live in DC, CA, or TX, we'll need to verify your educational background. You can upload one of the following:
1. College Transcripts
2. High School Diploma
3. GED Certificate
Alternatively, you can take the Wonderlic basic skills test. More information about ATB tests can be found here: https://wonderlic.com/atb-testing-state-level/.
3
Finalize your enrollment + Choose your start date
Now it's time check your email, which will contain a series of tasks you'll need to complete before you can begin classes.
Choose Your Start Date
First, you need to choose your desired start date via the link in the email. This link will send you to a confirmation form, where you’ll let us know when you’d like to begin your Lambda School course, and you'll be asked to share some optional demographic information with us.
Along with the email asking you to choose your start date, you will be prompted to read through the Lambda School Catalog (this will be sent to you in an email) to make sure you understand and are willing to adhere to our policies. You can check the Catalog out ahead of time at lambdaschool.com/catalog to learn more about Lambda School’s style, structure, and ethos.
Sign the Enrollment Agreement
After you’ve reviewed the Lambda School Catalog and chosen your start date, you’ll be sent the Enrollment Agreement to review, initial, and sign.
Confirm Tuition Payment Method
If you elected to pay $0 upfront and sign an Income Share Agreement (ISA), or if you sign a California retail installment contract, when you filled out your application, you’ll be directed to sign the appropriate contract. If you selected the $30k upfront option, you'll receive an invoice via email.
If you need to change your payment method, feel free to reach out to us to discuss your options.
All of the above must be completed by our enrollment deadline for the class of your choice.
Choose Your Start Date
First, you need to choose your desired start date via the link in the email. This link will send you to a confirmation form, where you’ll let us know when you’d like to begin your Lambda School course, and you'll be asked to share some optional demographic information with us.
Along with the email asking you to choose your start date, you will be prompted to read through the Lambda School Catalog (this will be sent to you in an email) to make sure you understand and are willing to adhere to our policies. You can check the Catalog out ahead of time at lambdaschool.com/catalog to learn more about Lambda School’s style, structure, and ethos.
Sign the Enrollment Agreement
After you’ve reviewed the Lambda School Catalog and chosen your start date, you’ll be sent the Enrollment Agreement to review, initial, and sign.
Confirm Tuition Payment Method
If you elected to pay $0 upfront and sign an Income Share Agreement (ISA), or if you sign a California retail installment contract, when you filled out your application, you’ll be directed to sign the appropriate contract. If you selected the $30k upfront option, you'll receive an invoice via email.
If you need to change your payment method, feel free to reach out to us to discuss your options.
All of the above must be completed by our enrollment deadline for the class of your choice.
4
Register for orientation
Now it’s time to prepare for your first day of class! The first key to success on Day One is to register for our new learner orientation, which we call “Lambda Launch.”
During Lambda Launch, you’ll learn effective strategies for remote learning, be briefed on our academic expectations, get a crash course on how to use the software and tools needed for your program, and receive instructions for how to get help. Other than completing your precourse work, attending this orientation program is the best way you can prepare yourself to succeed at Lambda School.
Please note that Lambda Launch attendance is mandatory, and failure to attend may result in your start date being delayed.
During Lambda Launch, you’ll learn effective strategies for remote learning, be briefed on our academic expectations, get a crash course on how to use the software and tools needed for your program, and receive instructions for how to get help. Other than completing your precourse work, attending this orientation program is the best way you can prepare yourself to succeed at Lambda School.
Please note that Lambda Launch attendance is mandatory, and failure to attend may result in your start date being delayed.
5
Complete the precourse work
We've designed a self-paced pre-coursework experience for each course to ensure that all learners are prepared with the foundational programming concepts and skills they need to be successful in Unit 1.
Completing the precourse work is not only mandatory, it's essential for your success at Lambda School. The Lambda curriculum moves quickly and learners who do not have prior coding experience may fall behind without self-study prior to day one.
The precourse work will take you about 15 hours to complete, so please plan accordingly so you can ensure that you've completed all of the requirements before Lambda Launch begins.
Completing the precourse work is not only mandatory, it's essential for your success at Lambda School. The Lambda curriculum moves quickly and learners who do not have prior coding experience may fall behind without self-study prior to day one.
The precourse work will take you about 15 hours to complete, so please plan accordingly so you can ensure that you've completed all of the requirements before Lambda Launch begins.
