If she’s interested in going the outreach route, she should consider approaching local girl scout troops to do badge workshops. GSUSA has made a huge push over the last few years to add STEM-based badges and awards to their portfolio. Of particular interest to her (given her robotics experience), they have 3 robotics badges per level, 3 mechanical engineering badges at each of the elementary levels, have programming “journeys” (basically slightly larger awards, usually earned over about 6 sessions) at each level (although they take an unplugged approach), engineering journeys at every level and are apparently planning on releasing a whole slew of coding-specific badges next year (probably around August-October). Most troops don’t meet over the summer, but she could use this time to plan the workshops to then give next school year. PM me if you want the link to the badge requirements.
If she wants to do it all over the summer, I like the idea of hosting a workshop or two at the local library. I know of some pretty good, free coding curriculum for upper elementary/middle, so again PM me if you want the details.
If I were an AO and saw two applicants, a girl and boy with the exact same GPA, test score etc, I would prefer to admit the girl for a STEM major, because I want to create a perfect diverse class.
@WalknOnEggShells , a lot of kids applying or enrolling with CS major in college. Some kids minor on CS too.
Yes, HS is a different story. D was voted Future Tech Titan from her HS. Lol. Her swimming teammate who had done nothing in HS related to STEM is attending a LAC, she also decided to major in CS after getting to college. Yes, kids start to realize the good placement of CS and more and more are going into the field. But only the serious kids are the ones who pass coding interviews and get good internships.
@SincererLove, as long as they apply after getting to college I’m good. Shouldn’t hurt my daughter’s chances Just kidding. I guess it really is getting much more popular. I just don’t see it that much where I am.
Keep in mind that CS can be its own major as part of say a Arts and Science college, its own school (CMU), and part of EECS in the engineering college.
Both of our college engineering students had similar stats and were guided by us and the GC at their HS to select the college where they found a happy home with a great department and were also aware of the Naviance data. If past HS students have applied ED to these schools, that is important to note. I completely understand her desire to find a place with a variety of students and majors. The engineering school is often your working home base but you can live, socialize and take classes with other students. If she finds that one school where she sees many of herself, have her apply ED plus EA and encourage her to keep writing until mid-December results. If plan A is a deferral or rejection, she will have plenty of options and they may save you an extra $100K.
Cornell has a CS major in CAS and Engineering and Penn SEAS is described as ‘traditionally untraditional’. What that generally means is that students are generally more multidisciplinary. The real reason for ECs is to determine how multifaceted your HS student becomes and how they will contribute their passions on campus and as alumni in their careers. Also the reason for the dreaded ‘why here’ essay. I’m not super familiar with CS combinations: but Wharton M&T and CS are common, bioinformatics, DMD digital media design, CS and Physics, or CS as a minor for another engineering major. One way for your daughter to have another EC is to use her skills to solve a problem for a local organization.
mathhappy, do you have any idea of impressive extracurricular activities for a boy who has the same situation, perfect SAT/ACT score, excellent GPA but no many extracurricular activities? Thanks.
@compiler I’d honestly give you the same advice: outreach looks good (although you’d probably not want to partner with the Girl Scouts…), as does independent projects (although I’m not sure where one would put these on an application) and any “real world” experience you can get, like volunteering to make a website for a nonprofit or getting an internship. You are also free to PM me if you want links to the curriculum I’m refering to. I would just post it but not sure what the rules are on CC for doing that.
Also, just for the record, I am by no means an expert, just a rising senior lurking on the forums and trying to be helpful
Also, just to add to what I said above, designing a website doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to learn loads of HTML, CSS, and Javascript and make one from scratch. I’ve done that, it took several months, and it was too ugly to ever put on the internet (lol, but not really!) I would suggest making one with Wix, Wordpress, or the like, as it will be much easier and you will still get the experience of identifying client needs and working with them to make a design that they like and you can create. It will also give you a solid introduction to user interface design and human computer interaction!
Designing a web site really isn’t an “it.” But some sort of outside experience is good- working with folks in CS or related. Sometimes, just working with younger kids isn’t it, either. Robotics is great, anything math-sci collaborative.
The Why Us is generally about the college. It can be risky to focus too much on post college plans or make it too much about specific classes. Top colleges tend to value the broader contributions you make to their community, not just major-related.
@walkoneggshells "It’s just crazy what these kids have to do these days to get into these schools. "
Yes, it is. She sounds like a solid candidate. Robotics is a good step. Any summer program is a good step too. They look for interest outside of class because it shows commitment. I think she will do well. Good luck!
