How I Got Into A Top Computer Science Program With No Experience
Ok, so I technically I didn’t have no experience, but colleges don’t run technical interviews or ask for your Github profile when you apply for a computer science (or any) major. And if they did, I wouldn’t have anything to show for it except some meager print statements. I had learned some very basic programming in Python, but couldn’t do anything with it. I didn’t build any projects, I didn’t document my experience, nothing. I also rarely attended one of the few STEM-related clubs at my high school. So how did I get into the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering with direct admission?
Truth be told, I still don’t know for sure. I probably never will, given that there isn’t a cookie-cutter method of getting into college. Throughout the application process, I was told by my peers and advisors that coveted programs desire more than just grades; they wanted extracurriculars and awards and work experience. Those were all things that I didn’t really have. My grades likely made me stand out, but I also came from a school of high-achievers, which probably made me look less than average. That being said, here are some of my guesses as to what might have led admissions officers to consider me a good fit for the program:
- Good grades: My school didn’t have special acknowledgments like a valedictorian, but I graduated with a 4.0 (out of 4.0) GPA. I took AP classes, which might have demonstrated my ability to keep up with workloads. But grades and courses can only say so much about a person.
- Test scores: This is quickly becoming obsolete as universities are shifting away from standardized testing like the ACT and SAT, but these two tests likely played a role in my admission. Specifically, the ACT; it incorporates a section on science that the SAT doesn’t, which assesses experimental procedures and logic that can be applied in the context of computer science. My ACT score of 32 was the one that admissions decided to keep record of, despite my SAT score of 1500.
- Personal statement: Okay, this might be it. I didn’t have to write an extra essay to apply for my major, but they likely read my essay for the general application. For this, I focused on the sense of community and my desire to learn and embrace new concepts. Thinking about it now, I could have written about learning Python for the first time, and how even just those couple weeks of exposure made me realize what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. But no, I wrote about making wontons. That’s right, I wrote about making dumplings with my family. Is it anything exciting? Not particularly, no. What it is, however, is telling about me, the writer. The key to any good personal statement is to create layers of detail that maximize the word count. The people reading the essays are capable of noticing those details and picking out what’s important, so why not make it as unique as possible? I believe that, because I was able to weave together my place in a community with my own learning and culture, they could draw parallels to how I would fare in the program.
When I got the acceptance letter, I will admit that I was excited but not over the moon. I didn’t understand the significance of getting in my major, nor what I did to deserve it. But looking back, I should have been. I know people who had extensive experience in the tech field and computer science that didn’t get into the major, which just goes to show that 1) application results can’t be predicted, 2) just because people have experience doesn’t always mean they are a good fit, and 3) there’s always a chance.
This, of course, doesn’t come without a cost. The majority of CS majors at my school were direct admissions, which means that they got into the program when they were accepted into the university. That paired with the space constraints of the department means that it’s much harder to get in through applying to the major, which requires extra essays. I often wonder if someone else should have been admitted into the major, which would have led me to pursue medicine or informatics. Someone with more experience, or ties to the industry. Someone who “deserved” to get in (hello, impostor syndrome). Perhaps non-DA applicants, who compete for the few spots remaining after direct admissions to add or change to a computer science major. They already took the introductory courses and likely already fulfilled a few requirements for the degree–shouldn’t they be admitted instead of people with no experience?
There isn’t an easy answer to this issue, but what I do know is this: a degree in computer science is desirable and helps in job searches, but it doesn’t automatically mean someone is “good” at coding. One of the magical things about programming is that, in a sort of cliche way, anyone can learn how to do it. This is why a lot of job descriptions have preferred degrees, but typically don’t restrict applicants to those who studied computer science. If I pursued informatics or medicine instead, I would have taken some programming courses anyways and searched for opportunities in the tech industry–it’s just something that I wanted to do for myself. There are equivalent courses available at my university for non-majors, and lots of resources online.
So what am I doing now?
Well…I’m studying computer science. And I love it way more than I ever thought I would. I can’t say I completely understand the prestige of this program, but I’m very grateful that admissions gave me this chance despite everything. The environment is amazing and I’ve met tons of great people, all with different backgrounds and skill levels. There’s a place for everyone, and it’s so exciting to be at the root of innovation. It’s almost surreal, because after spending my life using computers and apps, I now understand how and why they work the way they do.
So if you’re questioning whether or not it’s worth it to apply for a highly coveted program, I would say to go for it if you’re able to. There isn’t one perfect way to learn computer science (there are online courses, bootcamps, self-teaching, other universities), but there’s nothing wrong with wanting the best for yourself — whatever “the best” may be. There’s always a chance if you do apply, but no chance if you don’t.