LEAD 2014

At the beginning of this summer, I went to a “camp”. But it wasn't really a camp. It was an institute. It was an educational institute. It was the LEAD Computer Science Program at the University of Virginia, and let me tell you, it was such an amazing learning experience. You got to go to a university and learn how to code using python from the professors who teach at the university, as well as the fact we got to experience college life for a week. We learned a lot, but we also had fun throughout the week, like go to the movies and play basketball.

I got many questions answered about college. During a meeting with an Assistant Dean of Admissions, I learned what colleges look for in applicants. I was told that the most important thing was how many opportunities were taken advantage of. If it came between a valedictorian who graduated with perfect scores, versus someone who graduated in the top 10% but had a lot more work and classes, the person in the top 10% would be picked over the valedictorian. But this isn't the only thing; there’s also an engaging and interesting college essay which lets the people who look at your essay know what type of person you are. But this was a short aspect of the week, and there was a lot more to it.

Our week consisted of a ropes course our first day, which was scary. Not to mention it was tough, but what was even tougher was we had to do these teamwork activities that seemed so simple, but when everyone was talking and screaming all at once, we were like an uncoordinated blob. We finally started to get  of ourselves when we decided that everyone should be quiet and have a few people guide us, and boy did we get stuff done. It turns out leadership and teamwork can get anything done. It was especially hard considering we were teenagers unwilling to listen to each other until each and every single one of us realized we weren't getting anything done.

But along the week, we were taught by excellent professors on how to code using python to eventually make our own game and have a game expo, where there would be app developers and programmers coming from different companies in the area, such as WillowTree Apps and Arqball. Over the course of the week used turtle graphics to code and create fractals and write our names, which was painfully hard to code. For one final project for the game expo, we were put into groups of three, and competed with 9 other groups to make the best game. My group made a cat and mouse mummy chase game. We ended up winning third place, and with only about 10 hours spread out across a week to make this game, I think we did a plenty sufficient job. It was tough to do, but we worked together really well and I am proud of myself.  

There were many experiences I gained this week, python coding being the biggest learning experience. But there was also the diversity of kids coming from places like San Francisco, Virginia, Atlanta, and Wisconsin. Also to say that we had all different types of kids, but they all were interesting and different. Everyone there made my week a blast, and I think this experience has been a great one and is going to help me say with confidence I want to be part of the computer science field. I also want to thank LEAD and the University of Virginia for making this opportunity happen.