Comp Sci ECs

<p>What are some good extracurriculars for an aspiring programmer? Or good ECs in general. btw I'll be a high school freshman next year. Thanks!</p>

<p>Wow. First, I think you are a responsible young person. Not many have the desire to ask. </p>

<p>I have a few questions for you to answer:</p>

<ol>
<li>Have you done any kind of computer software activity? As basic as HTML web design.</li>
<li>Why are you so interested in Computer Science?</li>
<li>What aspects of computer technology are you interested in?</li>
<li>Last, but not the least, do you have any friends or family members that are programmers? or in the IT industry? </li>
</ol>

<hr>

<p>Normally I will start out with a bunch of points, but I think these four questions can give better answers to your question.</p>

<p>I assume you are asking your question with regards to building an attractive resume? If so, keep in mind that many colleges specifically state that they do not require ANY programming experience prior to admittance to their university. So, really you should only bother with ECs that actually are of interest to you. IMO, it’s more important to do what you like and do the EC in depth than to collect ECs for the resume. Few universities will look at your application and see whether you checked all the boxes for appropriate ECs.</p>

<p>Of course, if you truly have a passion for programming you will likely gravitate towards any ECs available at your school with a math/science component. Look for clubs such as Robotics, Honors Computer Science club with participation in programming competitions, Math Club, Project Enlightenment etc. But, if you like working on the school year book instead then do that!</p>

<p>@jwxie lol thanks.

  1. I know basic Objective-C and a little C++ and C. I tried to learn cocos2d for iPhone games, but that was way too hard for someone of my skill! I’m now trying to make a flash game with a Scratch/building block like software.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I thought having an interest in this subject would look good on my brag sheet to the local magnet high school, but I ended up developing an interest in programming. And this is the degree programmers get.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m game for any of it.</p></li>
<li><p>Nope.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>@ChrisTKD
Well, I do want programming ECs to show commitment and passion in the field when the time comes college application, but I wouldn’t be doing something I don’t like. Thank you for the list. I will be looking for these clubs next year, but my school isn’t very tech/math/science based. So, I was wondering if there was programming stuff I could do out of school?</p>