Should I Attend College or Learn Coding Online During My Drop Year?
Asked by
MellowCedar27
I've recently completed 12th grade and am taking a gap year. I'm considering learning programming online through resources such as freeCodeCamp and other self-study platforms. Should I still enroll in college, or is learning entirely through the internet a realistic path? I'm also interested in building a startup, so I'm not sure whether a degree is necessary for my goals.
Answers
Self-taught developers can succeed, but the path is more competitive than it used to be. Many entry-level jobs screen for a degree before reviewing someone’s projects, and you’d be competing with both graduates and experienced developers. Without college, you’d need an unusually strong portfolio, real projects, and the ability to demonstrate your skills clearly.
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If you’re reasonably confident that you want to work in software, college is usually the safer choice. A degree can help with hiring filters, internships, networking, and opportunities that may be closed to applicants without formal education. You can still learn practical programming online at the same time.
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If college is genuinely impossible or financially unrealistic, self-study is still an option, but choose a structured path instead of jumping randomly between tutorials. Learn fundamentals, web development, version control, databases, and deployment, then build projects that solve real problems. For a startup, results and execution may matter more than a degree, but learning business, finding cofounders, and validating an idea will matter too.
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These don’t have to be either-or choices. Enroll in college if you can, and treat online learning as your practical programming curriculum. Start a structured course during your gap year, build a few useful projects, and see whether you genuinely enjoy coding before committing further. College provides a safety net and credential, while online study gives you the skills to build products.
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MellowCedar27: I’m worried that attending a private college could waste time and money. Would focused self-study be better if I’m mainly interested in building a startup rather than getting a permanent IT job?