References can help admissions officers distinguish between students who look alike on paper, those with like grades in similar classes, roughly equivalent standardized test scores, and common extracurricular activities. The strongest letters of reference are written by a current or recent (junior year) teacher who knows the student well and can provide anecdotes and details about the student beyond their grades.

Computer science is one of the most competitive majors in today’s admissions landscape. This guide explains how colleges evaluate CS applicants, what creates a strong CS “fingerprint,” and how students can build a balanced and strategic college list.

The COVID-19 pandemic first hit college and university campuses in the middle of the spring 2020 semester, upending traditional academic and co-curricular experiences for the entire campus community. But even as campuses shut down and students, faculty, and staff were sent home, admissions officers released decisions just as they do every March. So, what happened from there on out?