Who Should Apply

This program is designed for talented students who are intrigued by the potential of computing and the excitement of problem solving, and who have strong math and science backgrounds.

Is this program right for you? Consider the following questions. If you can answer "Yes" to some, do consider applying.

• Do you enjoy solving problems of all sorts?
• Do you enjoy mathematics? Do you appreciate well-crafted proofs? Do you get a thrill when you're finally able to crack a hard math problem?
• If you've taken a computer science or programming class, did you love it? Do you get a thrill when you get your computer program to work correctly?
• Do you enjoy your science classes?

Notice that we did not ask the following questions:

• Do you spend at least eight hours every day in front of a computer?
• Have you figured out how to hack into your school's computer system?
• Have you programmed at least five different games in the last year?
• Have you been using computers since before you could read?

Most high school students have not had a chance to explore computer science. While it's true that many successful applicants could answer "yes" to some of this second set of questions, many others could not; they do, however, have a talent for math, for working with formal systems, and a love of solving hard problems.

Computing is an equal opportunity field. There are outstanding computer scientists of any gender and all ethnic groups. We particularly encourage applications from women and other underrepresented populations.