Metis - CLOSED

There are so many thorough and thoughtful reviews already here for Metis, so I'll try to keep mine short and sweet. Metis was the best option for me because I was looking to build out my technical skills (Python, statistics, etc.) to get the job that... Read More I wanted. I tried self studying at first, but had trouble knowing what to focus on and staying motivated. I moved from Europe to the Bay Area to attend Metis, where I met the most wonderful, intelligent, kind, and diverse group of humans in my cohort, the staff, and alumni. This is a priceless network that I am still involved with and leveraging, and the people I met are now some of my closest friends.

The curriculum is thorough and the standards are high, but the instructors, teaching assistants, and your peers are there to support you throughout the program. This program is what you make of it, so if you put in the motivation, effort, and positivity, you will reap the same in kind. I'm happy to answer any questions about my personal Metis experience in more detail over LinkedIn, so feel free to reach out!

As an Air Force veteran looking to expand my data/tech skillset, I left my previous job hoping to find a program that not only provided a challenging learning environment, but also one that accepted Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits and had experience... Read More training and working with veterans. Metis ended up fulfilling these criteria and exceeding my expectations in most ways.

Within New York, Metis stands as one of the few data science programs that is approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs for GI Bill funding due to its accreditation by ACCET. The Metis team also has a history of training vets and assisting them in finding employment after graduation (I was one of 2 vets in my cohort of ~20 students), and many of the Metis hiring partners have relatively strong veteran networks.

Outside of vet support, the approach to instruction, strength of the instructors (at the NY branch), and alumni network stand out as particular strengths of the program for me. It’s obvious that Metis incorporates many of the teaching techniques of its parent organization, Kaplan, in its approach to data science instruction. The program is almost entirely project based, with emphasis on collaborative learning through pair-programming sessions and blocks of unstructured time to work on projects and interact with TAs/instructors - if you’re serious about learning the material, the program gives you all the resources you need.

The instructors and TAs were generally outstanding - all very approachable, knowledgeable, and experienced in interacting with students at different skill levels. I also liked that the 3 instructors each seemed to complement each other in their teaching styles and areas of expertise within data science (I definitely had a personal preference in terms of which instructor I was most comfortable learning from, but being exposed to different styles was a benefit).

The alumni network seems particularly strong, with Metis grads at both high profile organizations and smaller start-ups. Generally speaking, there seems to be a generous culture of community/connection for grads. Many seem to remain active on a Metis alumni slack channel and from my recent experience, most have been quick to respond to requests to connect and network for job opportunities.

As a final thought, I should point out that my cohort transitioned to online learning for the final 2 weeks of the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Metis team did a commendable job making the transition as painless/seamless as possible. The quality of instruction remained high and the team was flexible in its approach given concerns/challenges from students.

In summary, the program was a worthwhile experience and I’m happy to be part of the Metis community post graduation. Would recommend to anyone considering a data science program.

I was transitioning from an architecture, urbanism, and research career to data science, and hope to be a bridge between the two disciplines. I self-educated in computer science, python programming, and machine learning, but still didn't have a complete... Read More picture of how to do a DS project end-to-end and knew that there were a lot of tools to master still. I attended the bootcamp to travel that final mile and put my skills into practice in 5 end-to-end data science projects. I found the program and instructors to be delightful and did exactly what I wanted to do going into the bootcamp. I am still on the job search, less than a month out of the bootcamp so I don't have intel as to how it prepared me for the workplace, but I can reflect on the experience. Pros: -Great and committed Instructors -Well laid out curriculum -Visual explanation of many concepts (rather than just math+code) -Great overview of the latest machine learning methods -Good emphasis on communication skills and building work to satisfy a business problem -Seamless integration with live Chicago class - felt very comparable to being in an actual classroom -Committed career support -Excellent cohort (good level of applicant screening) Cons: -TA's seem to be not extremely helpful -Not many local hiring partners in my location -Can't think of many, except that the more prepared you are going in, the more you can get out of it. Overall, I loved the experience and thought the teachers did a great job of supporting any interests students had and furthering our understanding of key concepts. Pull the trigger!

Motivation: I am a mid-career student who has managed data scientists in the past but never really got very technical with implementing models. I took this course to become more familiar with machine learning and AI in order to complement my technology... Read More skills (programming/infrastructure) and to better manage data scientists in the future.

Curriculum: The curriculum is well thought out and focuses on both practical implementation along with theory. The curriculum is designed to truly give you both a birds-eye view and hands-on skill with all parts of machine learning/AI, big data, visualization, Python, environment setup, etc.

Teachers: The teachers are top-notch; they were experts who have held significant roles in industry and not purely focused on academic research.

Job Assistance/Training: The job assistance and training also gave me a great new vantage point with which to conduct a job search. They even provide amazing post-bootcamp resources like: career coaching, mock-interviews and an alumni Slack channel.

Bottom-Line: Metis was a great experience from beginning to end. I was part of the first online-only cohort and it was a seamless experience from interacting with teachers to collaborating with your fellow students and teaching assistants. I think all-in-all this was a great value for money but it depends on how focused you are to get the results you want!

Overview: Metis exceeding my expectation. The program is designed to provide a holistic understanding of data science including machine learning, programming, statistical analysis, and data communication. Through five end-to-end machine learning projects,... Read More I developed skills in data acquisition, database management, exploratory data analysis, supervised and unsupervised learning, data visualization, natural language processing, and much more. The program set me up for a successful career and I received a job offer very quickly after graduating.

Instructors/support:
* The instructors are eager to teach and help you understand the material. They offer instruction through classroom lectures, daily coding challenges, and one-on-one projects support. They are always available to dive deeper into a subject in one-one-one or small group conversations as needed and provided ample support to each student.
* The career advisors ensure you are prepared for your job hunt with workshops, resume support, and one-on-one advising. Throughout the job application and interview process, they help you understand your strengths and provide coaching and opportunities to practice skills that you aren't as strong in.
* The managing team is very helpful and curates the space for each cohort. With a large open area, ample tables and monitors, and a full kitchen, the space has everything you could need to be successful in bootcamp.

Preparation: From day one the program is intense and exciting. Prior to bootcamp, I participated in the pre-bootcamp training course to learn python and get a feel for machine learning and statistics. The pre course prepared me great for the bootcamp and set me up for a successful 12 weeks. Additional bonus, the $750 cost for that course is then deducted from the tuition of the bootcamp!

I strongly recommend Metis for anyone interested in transitioning to a career in data science.

I had a great experience at Metis’s Chicago campus. I currently work as a Data Management Associate and can credit Metis for helping me land this opportunity in so many different ways. The course itself gave me great preparation for interviews, but I... Read More think I owe even more credit to the incredible support I received from Metis’s staff.

Metis’s entire staff is so incredibly
dedicated to the success of their students. This not only allows for fulfilling learning experiences during the actual course, but also ensures further support and guidance after the course ends. I’ve kept in touch with Metis’s staff after the program and am always impressed with how welcoming they are to alumni visits. This welcoming culture has also introduced me to several students who took Metis’s bootcamp during a different session than me.

You are sure to receive great instruction during the Metis’s bootcamp. What really sets Metis apart though is that the entire staff loves helping students realize their full potential.

Having worked as a data scientist for a little over a year, I can say with full confidence that Metis has been an extremely valuable experience.

I came into Metis without any technical work experience. I graduated with a BA in Economics and worked in... Read More a nontechnical role for 2 years immediately after graduating college. I was super unengaged at my first job and started taking classes in programming and data science in my free time. After a year of taking these classes part-time, I decided I wanted to make the career switch to data science. Metis stood out the most to me since you get the opportunity to work on 5 different projects under the guidance of data science professionals, along with receiving career support.

Though the program is only 12 weeks long, you definitely learn a lot. The instructors are very involved and really care about your learning. I was super lucky to have such sharp and collaborative cohort mates, which made the program even more rewarding. You also receive excellent career support during and after the bootcamp until you land a job. Since I was coming from a nontechnical background, I made sure to follow the advice from our career advisor as much as possible (Thank you, Andrew!). I eventually got my current role through a referral from a Metis alum. Even though it's been more than a year since I completed the program, I still refer to some of the material from class and keep in touch with the Metis community.

Tips:
- Complete the pre-work before starting the bootcamp
- Take a class on Python before the bootcamp if you do not have a computer science background (I recommend the Introduction to Python Programming edX courses from Georgia Tech)
- Follow the career advice and network as much as you can
- Collaborate with your cohort mates
- Continue to sharpen your skills even after the bootcamp

I came to Metis directly out of undergrad, having done a computer science and math minor, along with some econometrics. I knew that I wanted to be a data analyst or data scientist, but was disappointed with the responsibilities and salary of jobs that... Read More I was getting offered right out of college. I came to Metis looking to find a way to break into the data science industry (use machine learning rather than being an entry level data analyst),a nd to up my earning potential. One year later, I am working as a data scientist at a place I love to work, and can say that Metis has more than paid for itself within a year. Additionally, every single person associated with Metis from the instructors, to my colleagues at the bootcamp, to the career coaches, to the founder (who still personally checks in on students during your time there) was great at what they do, an absolute pleasure to be around, and really make Metis feel like a second home and somewhere that you enjoy coming in to work despite the intensity of the courses offered.

At Metis the main things I gained were:
1. Knowledge of all the core Machine Learning algorithms and data science concepts. This is the minimum that every bootcamp you are looking at hopefully offers to you. Metis's instructors are exceptional, care deeply about the success of their students, and are experienced in the industry so you are getting the best instruction.
2. Access to a tightly-knit network of alumni. The alumni network is very active and its easy to get in touch with the vast majority of people. This is invaluable when it comes time to search for that job. My current job I landed due to a connection with another Metis graduate. I can confirm that our program has a very good reputation within the industry as well.
3. Something to put on my resume that separated me from the rest of applicants looking to get into the industry. Most people that are looking to break into that entry level position really only have experience in school, as I did when I was first looking for a role. Being able to provide proof that I did complete data science projects, talk about what I did, and how that can transfer over to a company, is invaluable in making yourself stand out from the crowd.
4. Interview preparedness, resume, and networking skills. This is perhaps the most undervalued part of a program like this. Like it or hate it, interviewing is basically a skill set unto itself that will highly determine your salary and whether or not you get offered roles in the first place. Interviewing is all about communication skills, which is the top thing that employers are looking for in the industry today (many data scientists are awful communicators), so it is a vital skill to your career.

So that is the main benefits of Metis. In my personal experience, I have found that people who opt for online bootcamps or ML courses are generally not nearly as successful in every aspect from learning the material, to lacking that oomph factor on a resume (as it is easy to claim doing something online), to being able to communicate what they've done in an interview, to lacking the network that a physical bootcamp brings you. For all those reasons I would never reccomend an online ML bootcamp to anyone.

In terms of physical bootcamps, I can definitely say that from my experience, Metis is the leader in the space right now. It's program is very, very intensive for all twelve weeks. Be prepared to work. Every morning, you will learn from your instructors about the ML algorithms and other data science concepts. In the afternoons, you will complete a data science project led by you that implements the algorithms you are learning. Every day you take what you learn and go and apply it immediately without hesitation. The cost is a hefty investment, but in my personal experience and in the experience of every person I have asked about it, the program pays for itself within two years, and often times within one. The interviewing skills alone are probably worth 10k if you have no experience with that like I had. Additionally, you will be working in the hottest industry on the planet right now, with AI and ML seeing hefty investments all across the globe, so there is no lack of opportunity in the field.

Overall, Metis was an amazing experience. The people there are incredible, and it a hyper focused and collaborative learning environment unlike any i have ever been in. I would sincerely recommend Metis to everyone who wants to become a data scientist but doesn't have a pathway based on their current situation.

Pros:
I was looking for an intense, well-run program that would help me get a job as a data scientist, and Metis absolutely delivered. I left my previous career in a completely unrelated field, 3D animation, in March, started the Metis bootcamp in April,... Read More and accepted a job offer as a data scientist in September. I chose Metis because its lengthy track record, stringent admissions process, and overall professionalism gave me confidence that the course woud be worthwhile. The bootcamp was organized and efficient: rarely if ever was there any unnecessary downtime or logistical snafu. Lessons and assignments were well-formulated and tested without being stale or filled with obsolete information. My instructors were knowledgeable, experienced, and good at simplifying and communicating complicated ideas. Teaching Assistants, all Metis alumni, were capable and accessible enough that I frequently went to them with questions or for advice. The Metis Admissions team did a great job of assembling the group of motivated and interesting students who made up my close-knit cohort. After the bootcamp, career advisors were available for consultation and interview practice, both in-person and online. I loved my time at Metis and got exactly what I wanted out of the program.

Cons:
I have no substantial complaints about Metis so I'm mostly nitpicking or mentioning general bootcamp issues here. Twelve weeks is a really short time to turn someone into a data scientist, so don't expect to acquire a deep understanding of every topic covered. Some lessons are merely a cursory introduction to a topic that you can choose to explore in-depth outside of lecture time. Metis has a job board to connect alumni with hiring partners, but I didn't find many posts for jobs in NYC. This isn't really a negative, but bootcamps can only do so much to help you get a job; you'll have to do most of the work of finding appropriate job posts and networking on your own. Career advisors are there to help you along the way but they can't just gift you a job.

Additional Advice:
Do your research before committing to a specific bootcamp or the immersive course route in general as it may not be the right fit for you. Reading alumni reviews is a good start but I recommend going to an open house or private tour of each prospective bootcamp if you're able to do so to make sure you like both the instructors and the classroom environment. Finally, read a diversity of opinions as any one reviewer's situation may not closely resemble yours. If you'd like to read more about my experience at Metis, check out my blog posts on the subject: https://wadya.com/blog/2019/05/21/metis-pre-bootcamp-and-week-1/.

I came to Metis with a strong existing background in artificial intelligence, but having been in one job for a number of years, feeling the need to upgrade my skills and rebrand a bit as a data scientist. The 12 week course was intense and with just the... Read More right balance of theory and practice. A great deal of emphasis is placed on learning current tools in data science and on a series of five data science projects. Much of the course was structured around these projects, many of which had a particular focus such as classification or natural language. Doing the projects provided an opportunity to learn both practical skills and presentation skills. Most of the projects had practice presentations before the final presentation, giving the opportunity to get feedback on presentations of varying formality. All three instructors--Jonathan, Kelly, and Adam--did a great job both in formal lectures and in making time available for more informal feedback. In addition, considerable support was provided both during the bootcamp and afterwards in the job search. Technically, the work focused on Python with instruction in related technologies such as NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Seaborn, Matplotlib, VGG16, Keras, and many others. Despite the intensity of the coursework, this was not an "all work and no play" environment. For example, my cohort celebrated the completion of the bootcamp with a weekend at a cabin on Lake Tahoe, which most of us were able to get to. If you'd like to discuss Metis in more detail I'm available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-w-ash/ .