PSA: Netflix Formation Program applications opened today! (2024 CS grads in the USA)
Hi all, Netflix [announced](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/heyjoshuag_formation-activity-7033558750359683072-hGi9/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop) the launch of the Netflix Formation Program and applications are open now through March 5th, 2023. This is a free program (paid for by Netflix) for 2024 grads to get rigorous CS fundamentals training and potential interviews with Netflix for entry level SWE roles. It's an intense program and is extremely competitive to get into, but I wanted to share it with the community so that people interested can check it out!
From the post:
>Netflix has teamed up with Formation to bring rising seniors personalized training and world-class mentorship from the best engineers in the tech industry. This is a **free** **program**, and participants who demonstrate exceptional technical ability have the opportunity to interview for a SWE New Grad role at Netflix.
>
>Qualifications:
\*Rising senior from a marginalized group in tech
\*Pursuing a BS/BA in CS or related degree
\*Graduating in Spring/Summer 2024
\*Looking for a New Grad full-time SWE position in 2024
>
>Timeline:
\*Application Window → February 20th - March 5th
\*Program Dates → May 1st - September 1st
>
>
>
>[https://formation.dev/partners/netflix](https://formation.dev/partners/netflix)
u/tuankiet65 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
What's the point of training again if it's certain that every CS students out there will be applying, and those who manage to get in are surely top of the top.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
This program is looking to support people from underrepresented backgrounds in tech, so it's not meant to be a special leg up for Stanford and MIT grads.
Both Netflix and Formation are focused on opening more doors for people that have a harder time finding those doors right now.
u/p11109 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Wait, do u get paid for this? It says the program is free and valued at $24k usd, so does that mean we aren't getting paid? If so, why is it so competitive? Only 20 spots?
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
You do not get paid, no, but if you were to train with Formation on your own, you normally have to pay up to $24K (15% of your first year base salary). So if you are selected for this program, Netflix is paying all the fees for you, essentially, so you don't pay anything.
It's limited to 20 spots, that's correct, because this is the launch/first instance of the Netflix specific program.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
We added an FAQ on the page to clarify what that means based on Netflix's criteria!
u/Code_for_fun2022 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Wish this was for bootcamp grads from underrepresented backgrounds 😢😢. I would love to do it even if I wouldn’t get paid. Experience is worth way more, especially if your just starting
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
Formation's mission is based on helping people from all kinds of non traditional backgrounds get a seat at the table, which includes bootcamp grads. We work with many bootcamp grads in our normal programs with many great success stories and that motivates us to do more and more to help you in your careers.
u/cestquielle wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
hi! u/michaelnovati, Could you please let us know if international students are eligible for this program?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Hi! The Netflix Program is only for people authorized to work in the United States, or Canadians and Mexicans eligible for TN status. I'm not sure about F-1 OPT status but you can apply if you want and I'll flag for the team to look into.
u/AsianSWE wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hi! u/michaelnovati
If a rising senior is graduating early in December 2023 - a semester early - are they eligible to apply?
Thank you!
u/michaelnovatireplied·
I believe so, but not 100% sure, but you should be expecting to start in the spring /summer 2024 if you were to get a job at Netflix
u/AsianSWE wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Yes, kindly update!
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Hi, I was waiting to confirm, but OPT is ok, if you are going to be in school until Spring/Summer 2024 and begin employment the upon graduation.
u/caynab wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Out of curiosity I know this their first time going this program but what’s the interview process like for the program. And what are the programming knowledge expectations. Still leetcoding out here but not the most confident at times lol
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
Hi, the application process is similar to the Formation interview process, with an additional requirement to submit a short video talking about yourself.
The benchmarking assessment is similar to normal Formation and is not meant so much as a test to rank people, but as a way to assess your starting point.
It's a combination of practical coding questions (which require little specific DS&A) and multiple choice debugging and knowledge questions which require much more advanced knowledge.
We are not looking for the strongest "leetcoders" at all, but you have to have a good starting point of DS&A and problem solving skills. The biggest advice I give about the benchmarking is to focus on speed, because it's a lot for the time aloted. The assessment is difficult to study for because it's trying to assess your general starting point and if you could cram for a few days and do meaningfully better, that would defeat the point a bit.
u/quinnigg wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Does this program require the candidate to have had an internship in the past?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
It does not, but strong candidates have some kind of significant projects or internship experience in the past. If you haven't had the opportunity to do those you should still apply and talk a bit about your background in the Loom video.
u/Zhalyn wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Will the interviews start right after the application closes? Or is there some buffer time to review applications before selecting applicants to interview? Also, will rejected applicants receive a rejection letter?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Buffer time to review! I would expect rejections at the end of the interview period.
u/Zhalyn wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Thanks for your response! I assume that the interview period ends around the end of March?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Yeah, I'm not sure the exact logistics but you can be interviewed at any point in that time and I wouldn't read into anything based on the timeframe.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
If you can commit 20 hours a week you are eligible. It's a lot of work aimed at making you a stronger engineer in general, and this is not just a shortcut to interview at Netflix, so if you are on the same page with that then it's totally fine to be doing an internship at the same time!
u/Potential-Asparagus7 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hi, when will the program open for 2025?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Stay tuned as we are working on the details now but nothing official yet.
u/Potential-Asparagus7 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
u/michaelnovati Is there an email that we could email to, cause I think I made some mistake on my application and need to correct it.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Yeah, hello@formation.dev
u/Potential-Asparagus7 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Can someone refer to an applicant through this email? Is there a process to give a referral?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
The applications for this year closed already, but we also don't accept direct referrals for the Netflix program - you would just ask someone to apply online.