Let's talk about the hottest career path that's got everyone buzzing - Computer Science.

If you're dreaming about building the next big app or diving into AI, you're definitely not alone. In fact, we've been flooded with questions about CS at A-One Institute, especially over the last few years.

We've seen more and more students knocking on our door, all asking the same burning question - "How do I break into Computer Science?"

Before we dive in, let's clear up one of the biggest mix-ups in tech education - CS vs CE. Trust me, you'll want to know the difference!

Computer Science (CS) is basically all about the software side of things. Think of CS majors as the masterminds behind software, apps, and algorithms. They're the ones who:

• Design and write complex programs
• Create powerful algorithms
• Build apps and websites
• Work on AI and machine learning
• Focus on solving problems through code

Computer Engineering (CE), on the other hand, is where hardware meets software. These folks are the tech world's hybrid heroes who:

• Design computer hardware and components
• Build integrated circuits and processors
• Create embedded systems
• Work on robotics and IoT devices
• Bridge the gap between hardware and software

Think of it this way: CS is like being a chef (creating amazing dishes/software), while CE is like being both a chef AND a restaurant equipment designer (creating both the tools AND using them). 

Now that we understand the precise roles of each, how do I actually prepare myself for admissions if I want to study CS or CE?

A common misconception among parents is that coding skills are a must-have for aspiring CS students. However, I want to emphasize that mathematical foundation is the most important prerequisite.

I can confidently tell you that universities look for students who can think logically and apply logical thinking into programs, more than students who can simply write computer code.

The common mathematical courses taught in high school curriculums consist of :

• Algebra
• Geometry
• Pre-Calculus
• Calculus

While these courses are crucial in building a strong foundation in math, Discrete Mathematics is the critical topic in preparing for Computer Science.

Since discrete mathematics is often not taught in high school curriculums, we highly recommend participating in competitions such as the AMC (American Mathematics Competitions). From our experience at A-One Institute, students often struggle more with Discrete Mathematics compared to topics such as Algebra, Geometry and Calculus. Focusing on Discrete Mathematics can not only improve your overall performance in AMC but also strengthen your application as a CS major applicant.

At A-One Institute, we highly recommend engaging in competitions when preparing extracurricular activities for college applications. 

Carefully structuring and planning your extracurricular activities provide a clear and direct demonstration of the student's academic abilities beyond school curriculums.

We often see students and parents become scared of competitions due to the misconception that competitions are strictly for exceptional students. However, simply participating in a competition multiple times can be influential in shaping your application.

The following are competitions that we recommend:

• American Computer Science League (ASCL) :
  •  Recommended for starters who want to eventually try AMC. It will provide an opportunity to get a feel for discrete mathematics.
• Cyberpatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Program : 
  • Focused on computer security and high challenging competition that requires deep theoretical study. Prep experience alone can be a great experience.
• USA Computing Olympiad :
  • All olympiads are challenging but consider trying for the prep experience.
• Congressional App Challenge :
  • Conducted and awarded regionally; it doesn't require heavy coding experience. Recommend to students who are interested but lack experience.

Upon entering high school:

• Zero Robotics :
  • Popular competition for many high school robotics clubs. Great experience to be working as a team even if you don't excel in coding or math.
• Imagine Cup :
  • Hosted by Microsoft, Imagine Cup is highly regarded programming competition. It is defintely recommended for students who want to get a strong coding experience.

 

All of these competitions can help your application and make you stand out as an applicant, but again the most important trait for you to be successful in Computer Science is Math.

If you have inquiries about Computer Science related tracks, please contact us at A-One Institute for a more detailed discussion.

 

Thank you