I’m applying for a CS major this fall for Brown, one of the prompts asks me to list the classes related to this major that I have taken.
I took Girls Who Code, a 7 week summer program before my senior year that ultimately made me want to explore more CS. Sadly, because senior year classes are determined end of junior year, I wasn’t able to transfer into any CS classes that were at my level of skill.
Will this hurt my chances into getting into Brown (or any other school for that matter?)
Thanks!
The concentration you put on your application isn’t binding. I would say just put something else (something that makes sense for you and something you can write about–maybe engineering or something science related). Then if you get into Brown you can concentrate in CS.
Just do what would maximize your chances of getting in!
Good luck. Hope we’re both part of the class of 2022 :).
Might be something to write about somewhere on your app?
The fact that you haven’t taken any CS classes in HS yet want to major in CS shouldn’t hurt you – because you can still answer the question effectively.
Write about Girls Who Code. That’s a class, and one that convinced you to study CS – sounds like the right answer to me! If you have room, you can explain your inability to transfer into any CS classes senior year – and if you’ve done anything CS related this year, like online courses, reading, independent playing around with coding, talk about that too.
@sciencenerd123 I really hope to see you there too! Thank you for the advice
@prodesse good idea! I will fish out somewhere on the app to address
@fireandrain thank you!! makes me feel SO much better I’ll think about melding yours and prodesse’s advice together 
@audraeity I agree with @fireandrain! Be yourself and be honest about your interests and background.
A 7-week summer course is legitimate. Based on their website, the CS dept at Brown is committed to welcoming students from groups who are underrepresented in the field, which certainly includes young women. I suspect they will love to see that you did girls who code.
Also I think you could list math classes as part of your prep for CS, especially if you have taken or plan to take advanced math such as calculus (iirc Calc I to III and linear algebra are required for CS concentration, so math background is likely important evidence of preparation for the CS field).
Also, depending on what you hope to do with CS, other classes you’ve taken could be relevant as well (art/graphic design; film/cultural or media studies; sciences; etc.)
Good luck!
@BrownUMom Thank you so much! Do you know when they say “list”, do they actually mean for me to list out everything or should I be writing a paragraph?
@audraeity, if memory serves, my son just listed the courses.