What’s going on with the Computer Science department over at Stanford University? This rapidly growing major at the world’s foremost institution for studying AI has attracted enthusiastic students since its implementation in 1986. Students who graduate from Stanford with a CS degree so often have prosperous and lucrative careers ahead of them in the forefront of the industry, so it’s no surprise that the department has grown by 350% between 2008 and 2016 and has only grown more popular since, with 16% of seniors graduating in 2022 being CS majors. But this ascendent discipline hasn’t revolutionized Stanford without its fair share of controversy.

As is the case with STEM fields in general, the CS department at Stanford has historically struggled to attract women and underrepresented minority students. According to a report by The Stanford Daily, back in 2015, the data analysis of the student-run newspaper revealed that 69.7% of undergraduate CS majors at Stanford were male, compared to 30.3% who were female, meaning there were 493 male CS undergrads and 214 female CS undergrads. In 2020, 65.5% of undergraduate CS majors at Stanford were male, while 34.4% were female. So, the percentage of female undergraduate CS majors has been on a steady incline, which is encouraging news for sure. But is it enough?

The Stanford Daily Calls for an Ethical Shift in the Computer Science Department

An excellent article by Miriam Awan for The Stanford Daily unpacks how CS has changed at Stanford and how it can continue to grow: “Cynthia Lee, a senior lecturer in CS and course instructor for ’Race and Gender in Silicon Valley,’ said that there has been a ’dramatic shift’ within the department toward addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in the major since she first began teaching at Stanford in 2013. Nevertheless, she said that ’restructuring our actions and organizations is an ongoing effort.’”

The article highlights the many student-led initiatives within the department to foster community and expand the ranks of those historically excluded from careers in the field. However, it also forecasts the continued growth of the department, perhaps best summarized by a comment by mathematics professor George Forsynth, who stated that “Computer science folks are missionaries at heart.” Ivy Coach’s famously accurate crystal ball agrees with this assessment. We forecast the department will only continue to grow, especially as AI dramatically shakes up the job market and investors pour tons of money into this burgeoning industry.

Ivy Coach’s Reaction to Computer Science at Stanford

We at Ivy Coach applaud these efforts to make CS more accessible, but we also believe that diverse recruitment starts with diverse college admissions efforts. We have long advocated for elite schools to phase out legacy admissions and cease the recruited athlete admissions pipeline for this very reason. First-generation and low-income students from underrepresented backgrounds are a priority for admissions officers at Stanford. Still, enrollment efforts can only go so far when many slots are saved for legacies and recruited athletes. Moreover, with Stanford’s acceptance rate dwindling to record lows in recent years, it’s more important than ever that prospective applicants understand how to optimize their odds of admission to this world-class school.

Here’s where Ivy Coach can make a difference. Our team, which includes Jose Magaña, a former Stanford admissions officer, understands what sets a successful Stanford applicant apart: a compelling singular hook. For Computer Science applicants, this should be your unique contribution to the field and your local community. It might be the coding language you developed to simplify affordable housing applications in your area or the ethics system you implemented to combat cyber spying in your workplace.

Your singular hook provides a roadmap for engagement with the immense resources available on Stanford’s campus, giving admissions officers faith that you’re worth admitting over countless others. If you would like our help developing your child’s Computer Science singular hook for Stanford admission, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll get in touch.