JP Morgan's Code for Good is one of the most sought-after technology hackathons for students and early-career developers. Every year, thousands of applicants compete for a limited number of spots at this prestigious 24-hour hackathon — and many participants receive full-time offers or internship opportunities at JP Morgan Chase.
But getting selected isn't straightforward. Code for Good has a 3-round selection process that tests your coding skills, communication ability, and teamwork. This guide breaks down every round and gives you a concrete preparation plan.
Ready to start preparing? Practice DSA problems for the HackerRank round, or try AI mock interviews for the HireVue round.
Key Dates & Results (last checked 2026-09-07)
| Round | Format & Duration | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 — HackerRank Coding Test | 1–2 hours | Dates not announced yet (last checked 2026-09-07) |
| Round 2 — HireVue AI Video Interview | 15–20 minutes | Dates not announced yet (last checked 2026-09-07) |
| Round 3 — Code for Good Hackathon | 24 hours | Dates not announced yet (last checked 2026-09-07) |
JP Morgan has not published fixed 2026 application or round dates anywhere Thita could confirm — check the official JPMorganChase Code for Good listing for the current cycle's window before planning around any date you see secondhand.
What Is JP Morgan Code for Good?
Code for Good is JP Morgan Chase's flagship hackathon program where selected participants work in teams to build technology solutions for nonprofit organizations. The event runs for 24 hours, and participants collaborate with mentors from JP Morgan to create real impact.
Why Code for Good Matters
- Direct path to offers: Many participants receive internship or full-time offers based on their hackathon performance
- Real-world impact: You build solutions for actual nonprofits, not hypothetical problems
- Networking: Work directly with JP Morgan engineers and technology leaders
- Global reach: Events held across multiple cities worldwide
- No cost: JP Morgan covers travel, accommodation, and meals for selected participants
Eligibility
- Currently enrolled university students (undergraduate or graduate)
- Graduating within the next 1-2 years
- Interest in technology and social impact
- No specific major requirement — CS, engineering, business, and design students all participate
The 3-Round Selection Process
Understanding the selection funnel is critical. Each round eliminates a significant portion of candidates.
| Round | Format | Duration | Elimination Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | HackerRank Coding Test | 1-2 hours | ~50-60% |
| Round 2 | HireVue AI Video Interview | 15-20 minutes | ~60-70% (highest) |
| Round 3 | Code for Good Hackathon | 24 hours | Selection for offers |
💡 Key insight: Round 2 (HireVue AI interview) has the highest elimination rate. Most candidates focus only on coding preparation and neglect interview practice — don't make this mistake.
Round 1: HackerRank Coding Test
The first round is an online coding assessment hosted on HackerRank. You'll receive a link via email after submitting your application.
What to Expect
- Number of questions: 2 coding problems
- Difficulty level: Medium (LeetCode equivalent)
- Time limit: 60-90 minutes total
- Languages: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and others supported
- Environment: Standard HackerRank IDE with test cases
Common DSA Topics
Based on past assessments, these topics appear most frequently:
- Arrays and Strings — Manipulation, sliding window, two pointers
- Hash Maps — Frequency counting, grouping, lookup optimization
- Sorting and Searching — Custom comparators, binary search variants
- Dynamic Programming — 1D and 2D DP, memoization
- Graphs and Trees — BFS/DFS traversal, shortest paths
- Greedy Algorithms — Interval scheduling, optimization problems
Preparation Strategy
4 weeks before the test:
- Master the 90 DSA patterns — focus on arrays, strings, and hash maps first
- Solve 2-3 medium problems daily on thita.ai, LeetCode or HackerRank
- Time yourself: aim to solve medium problems in 20-25 minutes
1 week before the test:
- Do timed mock assessments (2 problems in 60 minutes)
- Review your weak areas
- Practice writing clean, well-commented code
Day of the test:
- Read both problems completely before starting
- Start with the easier problem to build confidence
- Test edge cases: empty inputs, single elements, large inputs
- Don't leave any problem unattempted — partial solutions earn partial credit
💡 Pro Tip: JP Morgan's HackerRank questions tend to be practical rather than purely algorithmic. Expect problems that simulate real-world data processing tasks.
Practice Resources
- Thita.ai DSA Patterns Sheet — Structured learning path covering all common patterns
- AI-powered DSA mock interviews — Practice solving problems with real-time AI feedback
- HackerRank's own practice section for environment familiarity
Round 2: HireVue AI Video Interview
This is where most candidates get eliminated, and it's the round people prepare for the least. The HireVue interview is an AI-evaluated video interview — there's no human interviewer on the other side.
How HireVue AI Works
- You receive a link to complete the interview within a deadline (usually 3-5 days)
- Each question appears on screen with preparation time (30 seconds)
- You record your video response (3 minutes per question)
- AI analyzes your response for content, structure, and communication
- No re-recording — you get one take per question
What the AI Evaluates
- Content relevance: Did you actually answer the question?
- Structure: Did you use a clear framework (like STAR)?
- Specific examples: Did you provide concrete situations, not vague generalities?
- Communication clarity: Were you articulate and coherent?
- Enthusiasm and engagement: Do you seem genuinely interested?
⚠️ Important: HireVue AI does NOT evaluate your appearance, background, or accent. It focuses on the substance and structure of your answers.
Common HireVue Questions for Code for Good
- "Tell me about a time you worked on a team project. What was your role and what did you contribute?"
- "Describe a challenging technical problem you solved. How did you approach it?"
- "Why are you interested in JP Morgan's Code for Good program?"
- "Tell me about a time you had to learn something new quickly."
- "How have you used technology to make a positive impact?"
The STAR Method for HireVue
Structure every answer using STAR:
- Situation: Set the context (1-2 sentences)
- Task: What was your specific responsibility?
- Action: What did YOU do? (This should be 60% of your answer)
- Result: What was the outcome? Quantify if possible
Example Answer
Question: "Tell me about a time you worked on a team project."
Strong answer: "During my sophomore year, our database systems team of four had to build a student enrollment system in 3 weeks [Situation]. I was responsible for the backend API design and database schema [Task]. I started by creating an ER diagram and reviewing it with the team, then built RESTful endpoints using Flask and PostgreSQL. When we hit a performance bottleneck with complex queries, I implemented database indexing and query optimization that reduced response times by 70% [Action]. We delivered on time and received the highest grade in the class. The professor later used our project as an example for future cohorts [Result]."
Preparation Strategy
- Practice with AI mock interviews: Use Thita.ai's AI interview platform to simulate the HireVue experience with real-time feedback
- Prepare 5-6 stories: Cover teamwork, technical challenge, leadership, learning, and impact
- Record yourself: Watch your recordings and note filler words, pacing, and eye contact
- Time your answers: Stay within 2-3 minutes — don't ramble
- Look at the camera: Not the screen. This simulates eye contact
💡 Pro Tip: The AI interview practice on Thita.ai mirrors HireVue's format — you get a question, limited prep time, and AI evaluation of your response. This is the closest simulation you can get.
Round 3: The Code for Good Hackathon
Congratulations — if you've made it here, you've already beaten thousands of applicants. Now it's time to shine.
What to Expect
- Duration: 24 hours (typically Friday evening to Saturday evening)
- Team size: 5-8 participants assigned to a team
- Project: Build a solution for a real nonprofit's challenge
- Mentors: JP Morgan engineers guide and evaluate teams
- Tech stack: Your choice, though web applications are most common
How You're Evaluated
Unlike typical hackathons where only the final product matters, Code for Good evaluates individuals within teams. Mentors observe:
- Technical contribution: Quality and quantity of your code
- Collaboration: How you communicate and work with teammates
- Problem-solving approach: How you break down the nonprofit's challenge
- Initiative: Do you volunteer for tasks? Do you help others?
- Adaptability: How you handle changing requirements or technical issues
Preparation Tips
Technical preparation:
- Be comfortable with at least one full-stack framework (React + Node.js, Django, Flask, Spring Boot)
- Know how to set up a project from scratch quickly
- Practice Git collaboration (branching, merging, pull requests)
- Have boilerplate templates ready for common architectures
- Familiarize yourself with deployment options (Heroku, Vercel, AWS)
Soft skills preparation:
- Practice explaining technical concepts to non-technical people (your nonprofit partner)
- Be ready to scope features and prioritize under time pressure
- Know how to divide work effectively in a team
- Prepare to present/demo your solution clearly
Day-of strategies:
- Spend the first 1-2 hours understanding the problem deeply — don't rush to code
- Create a clear task breakdown and assign ownership
- Build an MVP first, then add features
- Communicate frequently with your team and mentors
- Take short breaks to stay sharp during the 24 hours
- Prepare your demo/presentation in the last 2 hours
What Mentors Look For
JP Morgan mentors are specifically watching for candidates who would be good hires. They value:
- Code quality over quantity — clean, readable code matters
- Asking good questions to the nonprofit and mentors
- Supporting teammates who are struggling
- Staying calm under pressure
- Delivering a working product, even if it's simple
Preparation Timeline
Here's a week-by-week plan starting 6 weeks before your application:
| Week | Focus Area | Action Items |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | DSA Fundamentals | Complete DSA patterns for arrays, strings, hash maps |
| Week 3 | DSA Practice | Solve 20+ medium problems, timed sessions |
| Week 4 | Behavioral Prep | Write 5-6 STAR stories, practice with AI interviews |
| Week 5 | HireVue Practice | Record practice interviews daily, refine delivery |
| Week 6 | Hackathon Prep | Set up boilerplate projects, practice team coding |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Only preparing for the coding round — The HireVue round eliminates more people
❌ Generic HireVue answers — "I'm a team player" without specific examples
❌ Ignoring the nonprofit's actual needs — Building what's cool vs. what's useful
❌ Going solo during the hackathon — Mentors watch for collaboration
❌ Not practicing under time pressure — Both the coding test and hackathon are timed
❌ Applying without researching JP Morgan — Know their technology initiatives and values
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Computer Science major?
No. JP Morgan welcomes students from all majors. However, you should be comfortable writing code and working on technical projects.
Can I apply to multiple Code for Good events?
Yes, JP Morgan holds events in multiple cities. Check the official careers page for locations and dates.
What programming languages should I know?
For the HackerRank round, use whatever you're most comfortable with. For the hackathon, web development skills (JavaScript/Python) are most commonly used.
Is prior hackathon experience required?
Not required, but helpful. If you haven't done a hackathon before, try a local one first to get comfortable with the format.
When do applications typically open?
Applications usually open in late spring/early summer for fall events. Set calendar reminders and check the JP Morgan careers page regularly.
How competitive is Code for Good?
Very competitive. Acceptance rates vary by location but are typically 5-15% of applicants. The good news: thorough preparation significantly improves your chances.
Final Thoughts
JP Morgan Code for Good is more than a hackathon — it's a gateway to a career in technology at one of the world's largest financial institutions. The 3-round selection process tests different skills, and the candidates who succeed are the ones who prepare for all three rounds, not just the coding test.
Start your preparation today:
- Practice DSA patterns for the HackerRank coding test
- Follow the 90-Day Interview Roadmap for a structured, day-by-day plan
- Try AI mock interviews to prepare for the HireVue round
- Build projects and practice teamwork for the hackathon
The effort you put in now will pay dividends — not just for Code for Good, but for your entire tech career.
Related reading: Hackathon calendar 2026-27: every major hackathon worth your time · How to win a hackathon: the complete strategy guide · Adobe University Hackathon 2026 guide