Launch FAQ
Here are the answers to commonly asked questions.
If your question is not answered below, send us an email at launch@joinforge.co.
If your question is not answered below, send us an email at launch@joinforge.co.
Application Process
Our application process has three stages: a resume submission, a skills challenge, and an interview. From start to finish, the Launch application process takes about one month if you move through all three stages. We will notify you after each stage as to whether or not you'll continue in the application process.
If you make it to the interview stage, you should hear back within about a week after your interview regarding your acceptance status. From there, you'll sign up for an orientation to learn more about the program, ask questions, and meet other accepted students. If you decide to accept a spot in Launch, we'll let you know all of the next steps regarding onboarding and training.
If you make it to the interview stage, you should hear back within about a week after your interview regarding your acceptance status. From there, you'll sign up for an orientation to learn more about the program, ask questions, and meet other accepted students. If you decide to accept a spot in Launch, we'll let you know all of the next steps regarding onboarding and training.
Yes, you can apply to up to two Launch tracks – you'll indicate which track(s) you're interested in on your application. If you move on to the second step of the application process, we'll send you the skills challenges for both tracks you are interested in. You would need to complete both of the skills challenges if you still want to be considered for both tracks. At that point, you may also choose to complete only one of the skills challenges if you decide you'd prefer to apply to only one track (this is very common).
The short answer is yes. Every year we have a small cohort of recent college graduates (about 2-3 years out of school). Our program is designed for undergraduate students, but it can also be a great fit for recent college graduates who are looking to up-skill or pivot their career.
Nope! Students from all colleges and universities are welcome to apply to Launch.
International students, green card holders, and DACA students are welcome to apply. We cannot accept undocumented immigrants due to IRS requirements.
Some of our company partners prefer or are only able to hire interns that are US citizens. Because of this, we want to be upfront that any non-citizens accepted to the Launch program will likely have fewer internship opportunities to consider than other students.
If you have questions or are unsure if you should apply, please email launch@joinforge.co before applying to the program.
Some of our company partners prefer or are only able to hire interns that are US citizens. Because of this, we want to be upfront that any non-citizens accepted to the Launch program will likely have fewer internship opportunities to consider than other students.
If you have questions or are unsure if you should apply, please email launch@joinforge.co before applying to the program.
There are no prerequisite skills required to apply, however, coming in with some experience can be helpful. If you don't have the suggested experience for your track but you're up for a challenge, you are still more than welcome to apply.
Suggested experience by track:
Data Science: A basic knowledge of statistics and/or some experience with Python is helpful but not required.
Digital Marketing: Strong writing skills, a keen eye for design, and some experience with general business knowledge is also helpful but not required.
Software Engineering: Taking at least one intro computer science class or another intro to programming course in high school, online, or through another organization is very helpful. Personal programming experience with online tutorials or personal projects is helpful but not required.
Again, these suggestions are not requirements to apply, but are a few ways you can explore and get familiar with the subjects covered in each track before the program begins.
Suggested experience by track:
Data Science: A basic knowledge of statistics and/or some experience with Python is helpful but not required.
Digital Marketing: Strong writing skills, a keen eye for design, and some experience with general business knowledge is also helpful but not required.
Software Engineering: Taking at least one intro computer science class or another intro to programming course in high school, online, or through another organization is very helpful. Personal programming experience with online tutorials or personal projects is helpful but not required.
Again, these suggestions are not requirements to apply, but are a few ways you can explore and get familiar with the subjects covered in each track before the program begins.
Scheduling & Logistics
Launch summer training is May 19-June 6, 2025, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm ET. All training will be online. You must be fully available during training hours and we cannot permit any vacations or planned time off during that time.
No, we cannot permit vacations or planned time off during the 12 week program.
Both training (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm ET) and your internship will be full-time (typically Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm ET). Your weekends and time outside of training are free, but otherwise you need to be able to commit to the entire duration of the Launch program.
You are allowed to work a part-time job during Launch as long as it does not interfere with the training/internship hours. However, we generally do not recommend trying to work another job on top of Launch.
Both training (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm ET) and your internship will be full-time (typically Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm ET). Your weekends and time outside of training are free, but otherwise you need to be able to commit to the entire duration of the Launch program.
You are allowed to work a part-time job during Launch as long as it does not interfere with the training/internship hours. However, we generally do not recommend trying to work another job on top of Launch.
All accepted Launch students are required to participate in Countdown. The first part of Countdown includes soft skills training which is about 6-8 hours of training total, as well as some tasks to do outside of training like working on your resume or practicing interview questions. Soft skills training will take place in either the fall or spring semester, depending on when you apply.
The second part of Countdown includes technical skills training. This will involve 15 hours of training in total, occurring on weekends in April and May. Some students may also need to work a bit more outside of training sessions depending on their skill level coming into the program.
The second part of Countdown includes technical skills training. This will involve 15 hours of training in total, occurring on weekends in April and May. Some students may also need to work a bit more outside of training sessions depending on their skill level coming into the program.
Launch training is fully online. Offering online training allows Launch students to train with us from anywhere, no matter what school they go to or where their home might be. We've run Launch fully online for four summers now, and our instructors understand what makes online learning a great experience.
There are both in-person and remote internships available through the program. Remote vs. in-person work is determined by each company depending on their preferences.
We share each company's remote work policy in the job description, so you have the opportunity consider this factor before applying to a given role.
We share each company's remote work policy in the job description, so you have the opportunity consider this factor before applying to a given role.
Payment & Tuition
Tuition for the Launch program is $3,900. More information about tuition and what it includes as well as hourly pay rates for internships is available on our tuition page.
Internships
Summer internships will take place June 9-August 8, 2025. Most internships will be Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, but this may vary depending on company preference and internship location. We share each company's typical hours and schedule in the job description, so you can consider this before applying to a given role.
Our main internship locations are in Virginia (Charlottesville, Richmond, Northern Virginia), Washington, D.C., California, New York, Texas, and Maryland.
In the past, we have placed interns at companies based in cities like Boston, MA, Norfolk, VA, Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Wilmington, NC, St. Louis, MO, Newark, NJ and more. We have even placed one student at a company in Medellin, Colombia! There may be other cities available for Launch 2025 that are not currently listed here.
Many internships, regardless of location, are remote or remote-optional.
In the past, we have placed interns at companies based in cities like Boston, MA, Norfolk, VA, Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Wilmington, NC, St. Louis, MO, Newark, NJ and more. We have even placed one student at a company in Medellin, Colombia! There may be other cities available for Launch 2025 that are not currently listed here.
Many internships, regardless of location, are remote or remote-optional.
Our company matching process takes place during the spring semester. You will be matched with an internship before the start of summer training in May.
If you receive an internship offer outside of the program you may accept it, as long as you have not already accepted an internship with one of our company partners.
Students who are not yet matched with one of our internships may accept an outside offer and leave the program. You will not be able to participate in training.
If a student drops out of the program after confirming an internship from a Launch company partner, they are still required to pay full program tuition.
Students who are not yet matched with one of our internships may accept an outside offer and leave the program. You will not be able to participate in training.
If a student drops out of the program after confirming an internship from a Launch company partner, they are still required to pay full program tuition.
Summer Training
Launch training is a mix of instructor-led lessons, hands-on group work, individual projects, and group and solo presentations. You will also have a weekly one-on-one check in with your instructor or TA to provide additional support and help navigate any roadblocks. Launch training is meant to push and challenge you — you will learn and deliver more in 3 weeks than you have in any college class.
In the working world, you might not know everything you need to know when you start a project. Our training is designed to prepare you for that — learning on the fly, knowing what questions to ask, and where to find the answers. During training we teach you 60-80% of what you need to know, then you complete hands-on projects where you will learn and discover the rest on your own or through collaboration with peers. We've found that this learning style sets students up to be more autonomous and successful at their internships and future endeavors.
In the working world, you might not know everything you need to know when you start a project. Our training is designed to prepare you for that — learning on the fly, knowing what questions to ask, and where to find the answers. During training we teach you 60-80% of what you need to know, then you complete hands-on projects where you will learn and discover the rest on your own or through collaboration with peers. We've found that this learning style sets students up to be more autonomous and successful at their internships and future endeavors.
We make projects feel as close as possible to "doing the real thing" — so some projects will be set up as though you've been hired by a client to do the work. In general, Launch is lighter on lectures and heavier on learning by doing. Expect a mix of individual and group projects.
Each track will have a combination of instructors and teaching assistants (TAs). Launch alumni instructors are Launch alumni who have been working in the field for a few years.
Launch lead instructors and TAs are typically undergraduates who have previously completed Launch and/or have led one of Forge's semester courses. Both instructors and TAs train with Forge during the school year and usually have prior teaching experience at Forge.
Launch lead instructors and TAs are typically undergraduates who have previously completed Launch and/or have led one of Forge's semester courses. Both instructors and TAs train with Forge during the school year and usually have prior teaching experience at Forge.