<p>Hello, CC'ers!</p>
<p>As you all probably know, Stanford is very well ranked for its computer science department. For that reason, among others, I am interested in attending the university to pursue a major in computer science. Here's what I am wondering: how much programming/comp sci experience do applicants usually have? I know no two applicants are alike, but I would like to know what kind of playing field I'm entering here. Right now I am taking AP Computer Science, but my school does not offer any higher CS courses. I plan to self study other languages for the remainder of my high school career. Do you think an applicant can be accepted based on zeal alone, or must they have completed a great deal of research/open-source code to raise an eyebrow?</p>
<p>Many thanks for your contributions, and I apologize in advance if this has been asked before. :)</p>
<p>For Stanford you apply to the University not to a particular major.
That maybe because many students change their intended major at least once before graduating.
In fact, you don’t even need to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year.</p>
<p>So your lack of depth in CS isn’t going to knock you out of contention at all.</p>
<p>However, as people point out, they are looking for zeal, excellence, accomplishment, etc somewhere in your application.</p>
<p>Hmm, I did not know that before, thanks for explaining that you don’t have to apply to a specific major. 
I was nervous about my situation because my EC’s and general strengths cover more of a literary area than a CS one, but if they are not looking solely at the career-specific activities & classes I suppose I am in okay shape. That said, does Stanford learn towards “well-rounded” applicants because they would perform well in different areas at the university?</p>
<p>I actually know of some CS majors who had little to no CS experience prior to coming to Stanford. They started out taking the beginner CS class; CS106A. As ccdaddio said, most students change their intended major and I know of a person who went from being an intended Biology major to a CS major.</p>
<p>I don’t think they necessarily lean towards “well-rounded” applicants. I would, to be safe, make no assumptions about who they accept or why they accept them. Admissions is a crapshoot.</p>
<p>@thehaakun I definitely won’t make assumptions about admissions. Stanford has such a low acceptance rate it’s impossible to tell who will or won’t get in. It is definitely my reach school. :)</p>
<p>Interesting to know that some CS majors didn’t have any programming experience at all. But, this fact brought me a little comfort nonetheless.</p>