Every source I read, I see that colleges like to see a “spike” in your application, like that one thing/area you really excel in/at. So my question is, does that spike have to be related to your major (if it’s not a sport because I know that’s a different story). Like me, I would say my spike is in writing, I’ve entered and won competitions and am close to publishing a poetry book. But I want to apply for a computer science major. So…is that ok? Or does my spike have to be in like computer stuff?
It really depends on the college. For example, UC schools care about what major you apply to and whether you’re adequately prepared while Harvard could not care less.
For example, I have a friend who did all humanities-related extracurriculars – speech and debate, journalism, constitution team, etc. – but applied Computer Science at Harvard and was accepted. On the other hand, all of my friends who were accepted into UW Computer Science or Penn’s Jerome Fisher Program, for example, excelled in activities related to those subjects. I think why some colleges care is because most students aim for a particular major while at other colleges, like Harvard, students are well-distributed and do exceptionally in all majors – not to mention, they change their major a hundred times.
I think the bigger question is why you feel you want to apply Computer Science. If it’s mainly because the career prospects and pay is good, then you should look into more writing-involved majors because that seems to be your passion and strong-suit. For example, journalism, marketing, or something law-related. This is because some colleges have computer science applicants who have may be skilled programmers or may have final-ed in Intel ISEF’s Computer Science Category. If that’s the case, it’s difficult for them to reject such applicants for you, so it might be worth considering applying into something else and sticking with that, or changing your major after you’re accepted (although transfers in some schools aren’t easy). Again, this depends on the college and what college list you come up with.
If that isn’t the case and you have a genuine interest in computer science, then pick up some programming skills or explore the subject – it’s logical and you’ll need something to show colleges that. In fact, this could even make you an interesting applicant. I have a friend who’s majoring in computer science and he’s an excellent writer (he’s minoring in writing), and he always talks about how important writing is in computer science and STEM, and how most people in such fields suck at it. You could certainly have something unique to offer the field, so perhaps you’ll have an awesome essay and interview topic!
Hope this helped!
Are you going to disregard all your hard work, interest, and awards in poetry because you want to major in CS? I thought not. What you have done is what you have done. You apply with what you have. The college decides if they want you or not. It’s far better to show an interest in something you enjoy than have a bunch of random, unrelated things and be committed to none. No one needs a “spike”, btw, and I personally think the idea of a spike is silly. For every person accepted to Harvard with an alleged “spike” you will find just as many with a bunch of varied, but real, interests.
P.S. Just curious, do you really want to major in CS?
^^Agree completely. A spike is absolutely not a necessary part of college admissions. I’ve heard many admission officers say that they look to created a well rounded class. That well rounded class will include some well-rounded students and some students with particular talents/interests (spikes). So if you are well rounded, embrace it.
And more importantly embrace yourself – to the best of your ability reflect who you are, where your talents lie, what your interests are on your college application.
It should probably match your career interest.
I think, you should tell about your achievements in the writing field anyway. Maybe you can think of how this writing skills would help you in computer sciences. This “spike” is making you above avarage student anyway. It’s better to have some achievements and awards in any field, than in none.
“Every” source? Colleges from the directionals to the elites have plenty of well-rounded kids in their classes.
Every source I read, I see that colleges like to see a “spike” in your application, like that one thing/area you really excel in/at. So my question is, does that spike have to be related to your major (if it’s not a sport because I know that’s a different story). Like me, I would say my spike is in writing, I’ve entered and won competitions and am close to publishing a poetry book. But I want to apply for a computer science major. So…is that ok? Or does my spike have to be in like computer stuff? Btw, I have a genuine interest in computer science.
You haven’t read enough college resources then, cupcake. Clearly,you aren’t getting the answer you want. Colleges are mostly interested in what kind of person you are. What do you bring to the table? Do they like you? If your main interests lie in writing, then you have to list your main interests, regardless of the major you apply for. They don’t just admit kids to a CS program who have an alleged “spike” in CS. They don’t necessarily want one-dimensional students who are only interested in one thing. Or maybe they do. NO ONE can tell you definitively that a college wants a spike or genuine interest in several things. There’s no formula. You apply with what you have. You do your research to determine where you have a shot at getting in. You get good grades, take hard classes, and do well in your tests. And you do the things that interest you, not to develop a spike, but if a spike happens, cool.
Out of curiosity I looked at this: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/what-we-look
Nothing about spikes. Here’s what CMU looks for: http://coursecatalog.web.cmu.edu/servicesandoptions/undergraduateadmission/
No spikes.
You can scramble to do a bunch of spikey things in CS, or you can continue to do the things that interest you. Your choice.
The computer/tech sector loves creativity, not mere technical expertise. Your passion for writing reveals dimension to you as an individual and as an applicant. You should certainly incorporate it into your essay(s), and mention relevant awards and participation in the appropriate sections on your application.