Opening Wave #1 Applications
We’re super excited to have the applications going for this 2nd edition of the Academy. It’s been quite a ride and we’re delighted to open up for Batch #2.
So no reason to wait! Click here to get your application process started!
Now let’s take a look at some super informative references! So exciting! The calendar can be found here and the wiki can be found here. Keep an eye on them as they may change a bit.
The application process is first-come, first-serve with a single yes/no filter which takes the form of a simple python test. The test is not particularly difficult and it doesn’t need to be because the only requirement is basic python knowledge. We really wanted it this way so as not to tilt the balance in favor of engineers too much (though being a software engineer would help a bit). It’s just because we like interdisciplinary teams!
Seriously, entry-level python is good enough so don’t hesitate to give it a try in case you’re worried about being a good enough programmer, because we want you in the academy!
Step by Step
Application Form
First and foremost: the application form is king! The moment you click “submit” on the very simple application form, you have secured your place in the queue.
Once you finish your application, you will receive a link to the test. Save this link and don’t start the test until you’ve got a few hours to yourself!
Test
From the time applications open, everyone in Wave #1 has 8 days to complete the test. You may start the test whenever you like but you must finish it within 2 hours of when you start it. If you’re an experienced python programmer, this test will not take much time at all but if you’re a beginner, you’ll need the whole time to do the test. That means, don’t start the test until you know you’ve got a few hours of uninterrupted quiet time!
The order in which you finish the test does not matter, only that you complete it within 8 days of applications opening.
Don’t cheat on the test. Seriously, if you do, it will be very obvious when you are not able to contribute any code to your team during the hackathons. Plus if we find out you cheated, you will be expelled from the Academy. Sorry for the bluntness but it kinda has to be this way.
I repeat once more that you are not ranked by your score. You will either pass a threshold that we set or you don’t, and everyone is graded by the exact same criteria.
The test will be delivered using a service called Stepik and you will have to register with the SAME EMAIL as you used on the registration form. Repeat, if you use a different email, you will get lost in the system and not be counted as a submission.
The tests are graded by what your script prints out so be sure to take care with that! A nice hint is to copy-paste the template code every time and leave the input / output sections alone.
Payment
After the tests and applications close, you will have 2 days to make your payment. If you do not make your payment, you will loose your place in the queue and your seat will go to the next person. During these two days you can also opt out of the program and we will give your seat to someone else.
Payments will be done with bank transfer to a Portuguese bank.
Possible Wave #2
We may open a Wave #2 for an additional round of applications. Keep an eye on the mailing list, Facebook, or LinkedIn for information on how the seats are filling. We are expecting quite an influx of applications so be sure to finish the application form and python test ASAP so we can get things settled and focus on getting started with some Data Science!
In Summary
The website has a pretty visualization of the schedule that you just spent 4 minutes reading about ;)
Best of luck!
We had an amazing group in Batch 1 and we can’t wait to see what kind of quality people show up this time around!
P.S. — Study Material
If you don’t know any python and are looking for some resources to get started with, we recommend going through the “learn the basics” section of learnpython.org.
