Skip to content
  • Solutions
    Our Services
    Middle School College Prep
    Transfer Admissions
    SAT Test Prep
    ACT Test Prep
    College Prep for Neurodiverse Students
  • About Us
    Our Story
    Why Us
    Success Stories
    Partnering with Us
    Empowerly for Employers
    Contact Us
  • Programs
    AI Scholar Program
    Research Scholar Program
    Startup Internship Program
    Passion Project Program
  • Resources
    Blog
    Webinars
    Empowerly Score®

Sign In

Free Consultation
Book a Free Consultation

Login

  • Blog > Computer Science, Engineering, High School, Pre-Application, STEM

Empowerly Student Cracks the Code to Top Computer Science Programs

Picture of Madeleine Karydes

Madeleine Karydes

  • February 15, 2024

Growing up in California and attending a public school in the Bay Area, Empowerly student Miko was a naturally bright student with a creative mind for problem-solving. Studying amongst similarly competitive high school peers, he persevered despite challenges and found himself on the cutting edge of one of the most competitive fields in academia. Want to know how he managed to rise above the rest?

Here’s how one Bay Area Empowerly student cracked the code to top computer science programs.

Two individuals building a robot

The Humble Beginnings of Our Student Story

During the summer before his sophomore year, his mother asked him to help bring heavy groceries from the garage. Naturally, Miko wondered how he could move them more quickly and efficiently. 

However, what he did next set him apart from other high-achieving peers. He researched, designed, and assembled an autonomous robot from scratch using materials around his house—including a hoverboard and commercial off-the-shelf electronic products. Today, that very robot has become a helpful addition to mundane household tasks. 

As a matter of fact, this would be only the first of many robots Miko would build himself.

The Sky’s the Limit…

Noticing this uniquely impressive aptitude for constructing and coding machines, Miko and his mentors began to unravel his talents. With the help of his counselor, Miko delved deeper into the nexus of autonomous vehicles and software development. 

A Few Ways Empowerly Helps:

  • Academic Course Selection: On campus, Miko brought his best to high school with confidence in his choices. Miko took nine different Advanced Placement courses while remaining in the top 10 percent of his class, graduating with a 4.0 unweighted GPA.
  • Passion Project Guidance: Continuing to develop and refine his robotics work, Miko even began applying his skills to his concerns about food supplies with the world’s growing population.
  • Support with Internship Search: Miko’s counselor supported him in reaching out to high-quality mentors and internship opportunities that would further his resume and firsthand experiences, ultimately landing him in collegiate labs and alongside a team of NASA engineers.

The Ultimate Computer Science Admissions Profile

On his own, he excelled in student leadership by delving into engineering, robotics, and ethics organizations with his fellow peers. With guidance from his counselors, Miko’s work led him to shine. 

Laboratory with engineers

Reaching for the Stars — in Computer Science and Beyond

The summer before his senior year, Miko applied and was accepted as an intern with the research software team at NASA. As a result, he spent the semester working with engineers on various challenges. The project focused on developing new simulations that could help astronauts use autonomous landers on a planet like Mars or aid farmers in avoiding injury by having them use robots to perform potentially dangerous tasks. 

Rice University logo for college admissions

This amazing experience changed the direction of his student story. Miko focused even harder on his dedication to making our world, and the next, more manageable. This passion and his remarkable accomplishments as a student earned him acceptance to Rice University’s freshman class. There, he will continue to solve problems on the cutting edge of one of the most competitive fields in academia, and beyond!

Share this post
College Internships
Picture of Madeleine Karydes

Madeleine Karydes

Related articles

Find the latest college admissions news, tips, resources and more.

Empowerly’s Guide to Summer Programs

Explore top competitive high school summer programs and download Empowerly’s new guide to help your student build a standout summer strategy.

How to Stand Out in National Science & History Competitions

Here’s how to win national science and history competitions — and what real students did to get into top colleges like Princeton.

Do Extracurriculars During Admissions Season Still Count?

It’s senior year. Do your extracurriculars during admissions season even count? Turns out, yes, and now is not the time to get caught slipping.

Empowerly is a member of:

Menu

  • Services
  • Success Stories
  • Careers
  • Become a Counselor
  • Refer a Friend
  • Book a Consult

Contact Us

  • enrollment@empowerly.com
  • 800 491 6920
  • empowerly.com

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
Subscribe to our Newsletter
© 2025 Empowerly Inc | All Rights Reserved
Cookie Preferences
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Solutions
Our Services
Middle School College Prep
Transfer Admissions
SAT Test Prep
ACT Test Prep
College Prep for Neurodiverse Students
About Us
Our Story
Why Us
Success Stories
Partnering with Us
Empowerly for Employers
Programs
AI Scholar Program
Research Scholar Program
Startup Internship Program
Resources
Blog
Referral
Webinars
Empowerly Score®
Book a Free Consultation
Login