@MangoLover11223 Unfortunately, I just got into computer science this year (currently taking AP Computer Science Principles), so I have no achievements and am not very involved in extracurriculars pertaining to STEM.
I’m in my school’s computer science club and am an active participant. I plan on running for the executive board of it near the end of this year. I’m also on my school’s math team; last year, I was on the state math team. I don’t know about this year yet; state tryouts are in a few weeks. Most likely I will get a position on it. I am self-learning web development (HTML, Javascript, CSS) and will progress to other languages at a later date. I am helping my computer science teacher with our school’s Innovation Fair where students get judged by local businesses on their areas that help solve world problems (which he created). I am planning on competing in it as well. Next semester, I plan on implementing Girls Who Code clubs in local libraries and starting another GWC club at my nearby middle school (or some other STEM program that will empower girls and break STEM stereotypes). I also plan on competing in MIT Inspire and will be researching something that is related to technology and possibly the economy, environmentalism, or law. Over the summer, I’ll definitely be self-learning more languages, learning app development, going to at least 1 summer camp related to STEM (if I get in!), preparing for junior year, and expanding my knowledge of STEM.
I know this is probably nothing and will probably amount to some kind of award only on the regional/state level. However, I live in IL, and there is not much competition in this state compared to others. I don’t think winning some kind of award within my state would be an issue, but compared to applicants from other more competitive states, I might not fare as well.
I know this is a lot of things that I plan on doing, not things that I have done. I unfortunately just got into computer science, so there has not been a lot of time to do things related to it.
Please give me feedback on my plans / what I have done! It will be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and have you competed in NCWIT before?
@needtosucceed27 looks like you’ve got the rest of your hs planned out. Yeah I competed last year and the year before (I’m a junior). I’ve won awards both times. Your accomplishments/plans by the time you apply sound impressive, but your I had a few questions about your cs education in regards to your school.
Does your school offer a lot of cs classes? You seem to only have taken one.
Your GPA should be fairly competitive bc it is considered in the application even though it may not be as important as the rest.
Your extra curricular activities seem competitive. Although I’m by no means an expert on the application process, so this is all speculation.
Is there a reason you didn’t apply last year?
What were your extracurriculars your freshman and sophomore year? That’s really impressive!
I’ve taken Computer Science Honors over the summer last year and am currently taking APCSP. Next year, I’ll be taking AP Computer Science A. Those are the only CS classes offered at my school.
Does NCWIT take into account my GPA per year? I did poorly my freshman year since I was naive and classes were difficult, but this year I’ve maintained straight As and will continue doing so for the rest of high school. This semester I have a 4.0UW and 4.6W GPA, but when combined with last year, it probably is a 3.5UW and 4.1 W, which looks really really really bad.
I did not apply last year because I just discovered NCWIT this year. I did not apply this year since I knew that I didn’t stand a chance with only CS honors (3 months), APCSP, CS club (around 5 months so far), and self-learning web development, which alone are very weak ecs.
@MangoLover11223 Sorry, I forgot to tag you. Please look at the comment above.
Has anyone gotten a National level honorable mention yet??
Has anyone gotten a National level honorable mention yet??
@needtosucceed27 the fact that you’ve taken so many computer science courses is impressiv! NCWIT does take your GPA into account overall but I’m pretty sure it’s not as major as the essay questions they ask on the applications. Self-learning web development can be pretty impressive, depending on the amount of knowledge you have too.
As for what I did during freshman and sophomore years, I’ve moved around A LOT during my life, so I’ve had the opportunity to set up a few clubs throughout the nations. The clubs that I’ve created/ am the CEO of are quite large and internationally known so for privacy information I won’t be naming them, but they have a large impact on students around the globe. I am also the Robotics club president and adviser, and my school is very competitive in terms of Coding and computer science stuff so there are around 150 people in the club. I’ve interned at one of the big name companies during the summer of my freshman and sophomore years as a CS intern.
Those are the major ones, although I know for sure that others have done more impressing things hahaha. My friend won the NCWIT award during her senior year and she was nominated for a nationally renown CS thing lol
^^that same friend ended up going to MIT lol
@MangoLover11223 What you’ve done is absolutely incredible!! There is no doubt in my mind that you’ll get accepted to schools with the likes of MIT! I’m worried that I won’t win anything on the national level now
@needtosucceed27 Not at all. You sound as passionate about CD as any other applicant. I’m sure that will shine through in your answers to the essay prompts. Have faith in yourself and I’m certain you will do great. Winning at. The national level is a stretch for anybody… I’ve been in the CS world ever since I turned 10 and I only know 2 people who have ever won nationally. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do fine ! 
@hei262hdhhs the national honorable mentions have not been announced yet. They have to wait until all national winners accept and 2 still have not
@Bookgal12 it’s possible for people to reject the award? Lol
Also— not sure if you know— but is it true that 10,000 people applied this year? I’ve never heard of such a high amount of applicants…
@MangoLover11223 Ikr…
I think 10,000 did apply as that’s what I’ve heard from multiple sources, quite shocking!
Has anyone heard anything yet?
Haven’t heard anything yet. Those last 2 national winners must be taking a long time to respond lol.
Has anyone heard about nat’l honorable mention yet?
National honorable mentions are being announced today and tomorrow according to the fb group