FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Hack.Diversity provide technical training? ⊕

Hack.Diversity is NOT a bootcamp or coding program; candidates with zero experience in software engineering or data analytics at the time of application will NOT be successful in the program.

For candidates who meet the foundational skill requirements, Hack.Diversity DOES provide a technical project experience and learning paths to help Fellows enhance and strengthen their in-demand skills before interviewing for internships. If you want to improve your technical skills before applying to Hack.Diversity, consider exploring some of these technical training programs HERE.

How long is Hack.Diversity’s program? ⊕

Hack.Diversity operates on an annual 9-month cycle from January to early September. From January to May, expect to commit 20 hours/ month. If matched with a paid internship, you will work full-time (40 hours/week) during the summer.

Upon successfully completing the program and adhering to the Hack.Diversity Code of Conduct, Fellows transition to Hack.Alumni. Benefits include access to resources, networking and employment opportunities, speaking engagements, professional development, and leadership roles. Furthermore, Hack.Alumni have the opportunity to pay it forward by mentoring, coaching, and supporting future Fellows.

What is the expected time commitment of the program? ⊕

We ask that Fellows are available to:

• Dedicate ~20 hours per month from January to May for Hack.Diversity programming, which includes an in-person orientation, monthly workshops and events, timely submission of deliverables, and regular communication with the Hack.Diversity Team and Mentors.
• Dedicate ~40 hours/week (full time) between June – August for Hack.Diversity summer programming, which may include the full-time internship as well as in-person and virtual workshops and events.

What are the financial benefits associated with becoming a Hack.Diversity Fellow? ⊕

Participating in Hack.Diversity is FREE. Depending on the situation, Hack.Diversity may subsidize costs related to attending in-person workshops, such as transportation. Additionally, summer internships are paid competitively to what each Host Company pays interns in similar roles. See below for more information on internship wages.

What is Hack.Diversity looking for in successful applicants? ⊕

For candidates applying to participate in Hack.Diversity 2025, we welcome ALL applicants who are 18+ and feel like they have a solid technical foundation to complete internships in the following roles: software engineering or data analytics.

Please note: Our NYC site will only offer a software engineering track.

Recommended technical foundations: ⊕

• Minimum of 1.5 years of technical training through academic coursework, bootcamp or self-taught training
• Availability to commit to the program's time requirements (see above)
• Passionate about diversity in tech

Fellows have come from 4-year public and private colleges, 2-year programs, community colleges, certificates and bootcamp programs.

Do I have to live in Boston OR New York City? ⊕

The 2025 Fellowship is virtual with in-person gatherings. However, Fellows should plan to live within commuting distance of Boston OR NYC (respective to site acceptance) for the entire Fellowship.

Can international students apply to Hack.Diversity? ⊕

Hack.Diversity encourages the representation of diverse backgrounds in technology. We are not equipped to provide support for candidates who need to secure work authorization. DACA and Asylee candidates who have valid work authorization and do not require sponsorship now or in the future ARE eligible to apply.

Can Hack.Diversity sponsor Fellows’ work authorization? ⊕

No, Hack.Diversity is not able to sponsor work authorization for Fellows.

What does the next generation mean? ⊕

The next generation is not bound by age; it represents the future: future leaders, future innovators, future-changing demographics, and the future we are co-building.

With five generations active in the workforce, Millennials and Gen Z are the most diverse generations in history. And by 2045, the U.S. is expected to be predominantly minority.

The next generation is transforming the tech and innovation landscape, ensuring it reflects and serves the diverse communities it impacts.

Does Hack.Diversity only accept candidates who are Black and/or Latinx? ⊕

No. The Hack team is committed to reading 100% of submitted applications and screening for candidates who advance our mission. Hack's mission is to increase access and representation for the next generation in tech. We believe anyone can drive us towards this mission.

In our application, candidates are invited to share why Hack's mission resonates with them now. We will choose candidates based on three pillars: 1. commitment to our mission 2. relevant technical experience 3. demonstrating how this program will support your needs and how you will support the Hack.Community.

When does the application open and what is the selection process like? ⊕

Our application opens on September 6th and closes on November 15th. Rolling acceptances begin on December 20th. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media accounts at the bottom of the page to stay up to date!

What are the required application components? ⊕

All applicants are asked to submit demographic data and a skills background including, but not limited to: a transcript (unofficial is fine), resume, short essay responses, and contact information for 1 reference.

How can I stay updated on all things Hack.Diversity? ⊕

Subscribe at the bottom of the page to receive Hack.Diversity Community newsletters and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Medium for the LATEST UPDATES about upcoming programming, news, and notable highlights about the Hack.Community.

How can I get a Hack.Diversity representative to meet with my organization/school/workplace/etc.? ⊕

We'd love to connect and hear more about your organization/school/workplace, whether for recruiting Fellows, Mentors, or potential partners. Please reach out to us via info@hackdiversity.com to let us know what you have in mind!

Are Fellows guaranteed placement into a summer internship? ⊕

If a Fellow actively participates in Hack.Diversity programming and upholds all commitments outlined in the Hack.Diversity offer package, the majority have historically been placed in successful internship experiences. In 2024, 87% of Fellows were matched with Host Company internships.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We strongly consider Fellows’ demonstrated adherence to Hack responsibilities when recommending candidacy for companies’ internships. Fellows and the Hack.Team are partners in launching the career that Fellows want – we provide access, resources, preparation, guidance, and feedback to launch growth-oriented tech careers. This is most effective when Fellows also prioritize program participation, work on best practices as guided, and submit deliverables on time. The Hack.Team reserves the right to dismiss a Fellow from the program if shown a pattern of neglect of Hack responsibilities.

What is the interview process? ⊕

Assuming Fellows submit deliverables by the requested timeline, Fellows will have the opportunity to interview for summer internships. Hack.Diversity will provide all Fellows with a guided timeline to set Fellows up for successful interview outcomes. We encourage all Fellows to prepare accordingly by leveraging Hack.Diversity’s process and resources, using maximum effort into delivering high-quality content for all your tasks, proactively seeking feedback, and incorporating recommendations and feedback provided by the Hack.Team and Hack.Mentors.

See next question for what happens after interviews.

How do Fellows get matched into internships? ⊕

Assuming a Fellow actively participates in Hack.Diversity programming and upholds all commitments as outlined in the offer package, each Fellow will receive at least three interviews for summer internship roles.

The Hack.Team matches internships like medical school matches (i.e. 1:1 matches). After interviews, Fellows rank their Host Company preferences and Host Companies rank their candidate preferences. Both submit these preferences to the Hack.Team. The Hack.Team considers four things when making internship matches: companies’ preferences, Fellows’ preferences, interview performance, and Hack’s objective perspective of what environments are most conducive to support the Fellow’s success within the internship, given Fellows’ background, career interests, and demonstrated participation style and level of engagements in Hack.Diversity commitments.

Where will the summer internships take place? ⊕

Summer internships will take place at the locations of one of our Host Companies.

What is a “Tech.Dive”? ⊕

All Fellows are required to complete a technical project in advance of interviews for internships. These projects will take place in groups and will be specific to your career track (Software Engineering or Data Analytics). Participation in this project is mandatory in order to interview for internships.

Desired Outcomes of the Tech.Dive:

• Refresh your technical skills through a hands-on project
• Gain recent project experience to discuss in interviews
• Work collaboratively with peers in your field
• Practice managing stakeholders, conflict resolution, and critical thinking

Who are Hack.Diversity Mentors? ⊕

All Fellows are matched with a dedicated 1:1 Mentor for the duration of the Fellowship. Our Mentor Network consists of over 200 leading professionals who are committed to the Hack.Diversity mission. These Mentors support Fellows by sharing their time, insights, networks, and skills.

What was a “de.Hackathon”? ⊕

The de.Hackathon was the technical group project component of our Fellowship program from 2019 through 2021. In traditional Hackathons, participants are tasked to ideate, prototype, and present solutions to known problems, business opportunities, or technologies, within 24–48 hours. The Hack.Diversity de.Hackathon (deconstructed Hackathon) addressed the same design thinking goals, but stretched this experience out over three months to enable a realistic timeframe during which Fellows strengthened in-demand technical and people skills.