How favorably does CMU School of Computer science look at USACO platinum and other prestigious programming contests
I suspect if you are from CA or TX or NJ AND have solid stats (within top 10 of class, ACT 34+, 800s on both subject tests) then it might help.
My kid did not have USACO ranking and was accepted to SCS for Class of 2021
I’m from NC and I go to an Early College so there’s only 50 people and no class ranking.
I think USACO probably helps. DS got admitted to SCS and had USACO gold but also great results in some hacking CTFs and several programming-related ECs.
I believe that As in math courses beyond AP Calc BC are also quite helpful if you have access to them.
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CMU SCS value math more than programming skills. USACO platinum certainty helps, but a lot of other applicants will have USACO platinum, so it won’t help as much. It would mean a lot if you made it pass platinum and go to the international contest.
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I’ve never heard of USACO nor did I participate in many computer science competitions, although the few local ones I did do I didn’t win. So, I’d say that doing well in national competitions will help you get admitted. I believe you need to show a strong passion for computer science because they want people who will finish the major despite how hard it is because they love it.