For those that don't know, Recurse Center[^1] is a self-directed, 12 or 6 week free programming retreat in New York City. I'm currently enrolled, and my batch is finishing this week. It's been a really good learning experience, and I'd highly recommend it.

[^1]: https://www.recurse.com/

We'll just chat about your goals and interests. Depending on your background, we may also talk through a technical problem.

You have to be rich enough to not need to work.

I don't think there is one. "For the first batch, we’ll select a group of approximately 10 participants, based on our expectation of who will make the most of the opportunity and enhance one another’s work." I think that Bradfield is trying to optimize for long term success by creating a strong community in the short/mid term.

Nothing... it'll be cheap (and fun) for us to run, and paid for out of our regular courses. We just think the community needs it.

The catch is that they will try to sell you their paid courses, this a bootcamp school mind you. Look at their other offerings.

It's capped by your own motivation and desire to learn things? Doesn't really seem like a catch to me.

We only published it yesterday, but you may have seen something else, like a blog post or our self-teaching guide teachyourselfcs.com