I’m a rising senior, and I recently changed my mind about what career I wanted to pursue and decided that I want to major in CS. But… now I have no ECs to go with this. I have the option of joining my school’s UIL Comp Sci team, but I won’t really have any awards for it until after application season is over. I also recently got involved with a national climate change advocacy group, and they want me to start a chapter in my town, give presentations, talk to local politicians about climate resolutions, etc, and start an environmental awareness club at my school. I’m very interested in doing this, but I’m worried that A. It has no connection to my major and won’t be beneficial. B. It might be too much for me to handle senior year, with classes and a potential job. So, what’s you guys’ advice? Do UIL Comp Sci, climate advocacy, both, neither?
Just because you want to major in CS doesn’t limit you to CS-related activites. Continue with the enviro club AND try the CS club/team. I guarantee you there will be environment-related CS jobs in the future (they’re probably out there already!), so that match of skills could turn out to be a great start.
Realize that CS is a very competitive major and without a lot of CS classes or CS experience, you may have a better shot at it if you apply to at least some colleges that don’t admit by major.