Anything you can do to excite/attract hackers and then supply them to good companies is so valuable to both sides that of course you deserve to capture some of that value.

Actually, it's even better. If you do this right, you're creating value that wasn't there before. I can come to your school as a "nobody" (in market terms) - no resume, no experience, just energy and talent. And I can work hard and learn tons and have fun for three months, and probably bond with my classmates in a way that will last for years, and at the end of that process you can connect me with good companies who are in great need of people like me. Now both I and that company are more valuable (in market terms) than we were before. (Reminds me a little of how YC add value to the startups they invest in.)

And most of the anachronistic and stupid rituals of hiring can go out the window, replaced by hard work, talent, and fun.

A chance to get better at one's craft and learn from other hackers is just about at the top of all our wish lists. Talk about making something people want! If I weren't busy I'd jump at the chance to do this.

In addition to learning a ton and meeting some great friends, I also got a great job at Venmo right after the session ended.

It's also the reason that we're not charing for it right now. We think it could be really big and important. We're going to see if we can get it there fast while breaking even.

If you weren't busy, we'd love to have you :).

I wouldn't judge this by familiar models. Who knows but that you could make more money overall by subsidizing hackers to attend.

The transformative thing is finding a way to amplify/unleash the social, creative, and market value of hackers, most of which remains locked away right now. Since it's such a scarce resource and getting scarcer (edit: relative to demand), the value is obvious.

I'll be cheering for you guys!