Pivot to a Career in Tech.
Join an immersive and intentional coding school prioritizing community over competition. A life-changing experience that will teach you how to code, advocate for yourself in the industry, and build communities rooted in social justice. See what you accomplish when you invest in yourself.
Program Timeline
Cohort 24
Cohort 25
Cohort 26
Applications open Spring 2026
Learn More
What does the curriculum cover? Who is eligible to apply? What should you prepare before joining a coding program? Visit our website to get the answers to your questions before applying!
You can review our application process here.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
To apply to Ada Core, you must:
Be 21 years of age or older
Live in the United States for the full duration of the program
Hold permanent work authorization at the time of application and throughout the program
Have reliable internet access and an Apple computer (MacBook or Mac)
DACA recipients are eligible to apply. OPT and CPT are not eligible. If you require or anticipate requiring sponsorship in the future, you are not eligible for our program.
-
You will need to create and pay for your own Amazon Web Services (AWS) account, which you'll use throughout the curriculum. AWS costs can reach up to $100 per month without careful resource management.
You may also choose to pay for additional tools, supplies, and resources during the program, which would add to your expenses.
Internship assignments typically have fully in-person office requirements, so you may need to account for relocation or transportation costs. While in internship, students receive a stipend to offset living expenses during the 5 months of Internship ($15,400 total, pre-tax).
We also encourage you to budget beyond graduation. The average job search in tech takes 6 to 18 months in a strong market. Planning ahead for that period, before you apply, sets you up for a stronger start.
-
Yes. All Ada Developers Academy programming is tuition-free.
Enrolling in Ada Core does come with some costs to plan for - read on to learn more!
-
The classroom portion of Ada Core is fully virtual, so you'll need a reliable workspace with a stable internet connection.
Ada Core requires an Apple computer that meets the following specifications:
MacBook Air with M1 (2020 or newer) OR MacBook Pro (2019 or newer)
16 GB RAM minimum
64 GB drive space minimum, with 8 GB available
macOS version 14 (Sonoma) or higher
Our curriculum does not run on Windows machines.
A limited number of loaner MacBooks and Wi-Fi hot spots are available for the classroom portion of the program. If access to a laptop or Wi-Fi would be a barrier to your participation, reach out and we can talk through options.
-
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 advice would you give future Adies?"
-
Be ready to dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to your work. Embrace the challenge. It’s demanding but also immensely rewarding. Networking with your cohort and not hesitating to ask for help when needed can make a big difference.
-
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.
-
It's a lot more work than you think it will be, and a lot more rewarding as well. Be prepared to learn just how strong you are, and to become someone you're truly proud of in less than a year.
-
“Trust your ability to learn and code. Do tasks in advance as soon as you get a chance. Ask for help — we have incredible instructors and Ada staff there for you. You are not alone. Good luck! You’ve got this!”
