Computer science is so hot right now. For the last few years, computer science has been the most popular major across the board. There are many career opportunities with computer science and many interdisciplinary applications for it, too, so we get it.

However, such a popular major comes major competition. If you want to study computer science at a top-tier school, you’re going to have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, you have explored computer science that you know what you wanna do with it and that you’ve taken the steps to realize your goals.

Sophomore year is the best time to start. No, it is not too early, and in fact, we hope you already know how to code, at least a little bit. Schools want to see that you’ve done the work to prove not just to them but to yourself that this is what you’re passionate about. And, a big way to do that is through building your niche, and we’re going to walk you through how to do that.

Identifying the Niche

Unlike generations before, you can’t just apply undeclared to college. And, unfortunately, it’s not enough to just apply as a computer science major without any proof on your résumé that you’re interested in computer science. You need to show your prospective school that you’ve taken your interest in computer science to a deeper level.

You want to think about what you actually like about computer science, and what you wanna do with it in the future. We help countless students go from broad interests like computer science to narrower ones like machine learning to even more narrow ones like deep learning. We want to create a funnel that brings you to a super pointy point. We’re not going for well-rounded, we’re going for pointy.

And going down this niche path doesn’t just help you with your college applications, it also helps you figure out if this is exactly what you wanna do. It’s better to spend your time now exploring this topic than getting to college without the experience and realizing it’s not your jam. so let’s talk a little bit more about how we help you figure out your own niche.

Classes and Books

Step one is learning, this time outside of school. We work with students to create personalized curricula (curriculi? curriculums?) of books and online classes that help them figure out what that subtopic-within-a-subtopic is for them.

There is no one-size-fits-all way to approach this. We get to know students and what they care about to give them the right things. We might start with some entry-level books on computer science or some entry-level coding classes or theory classes, but from that point, we identify the actual things that they’re interested in and give them more specific options. Like we said, we want to make you pointy!

Extracurriculars

Now that you’ve learned stuff, it’s time to apply it! And the best way to do that is through extracurriculars! You can do extracurriculars in school, which might look like joining a club or if your school offers independent study, something like that. you can also do extracurriculars outside of school, like doing research with a professor, taking on an internship or a job, teaching coding to kids, or an independent project like making your own app or program.

Again, it’s not one size fits all, and that’s the benefit of working with a private counselor. We can help you get more specific and find the right extracurriculars that tell your story. It wouldn’t make sense to stuff your résumé with things like history club, debate, or writing for the school paper if you’re not passionate about them.

Summer Plans

Last, but certainly not least, is your summer. This summer is your largest uninterrupted block of time to explore your interests, so you absolutely cannot squander it! As a sophomore, this is the perfect time to dive into your interests in a sincere way.

An easy way to start is through summer programs. There are tons of top-tier universities that offer pre-college programs with specific classes in computer science topics. Harvard, UPenn, Brown, Columbia, UCLA, et. al, all offer a variety of classes that would allow you to get a little bit deeper. But summer programs are also fairly entry-level, so there are other things you need to do to bulk up your summer.

We can help you find a job, an internship, an independent project, or a research opportunity with a professor. It all depends on what you wanna do, and what you care about.

Starting as a sophomore, especially with such a competitive major like computer science is the best way to set yourself up for success when it comes to college admissions. This is the best time to get started, not only to help your application down the line, but for you to figure out what you’re truly passionate about.

If you want to start strategizing for college, sophomore year is the best time to start. Reach out to us today if you need help with your college prep plans.