Computer Science Student of Distinction (CSSoD)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible to apply for the CSSoD?

Any 11th or 12th grade student attending a public, or private school in Arkansas as well as being Home Schooled in Arkansas is eligible.

If I applied last year as a junior, may I apply again as a senior?

   

Yes, it is open to all current 11th and 12th grade students in Arkansas.  So juniors who applied last year may reapply in the current year.

What can I win?

Recognition here, and with our sponsors, colleges we are associated with, as well as an award value of $100.00

What will I need to apply?

Eligible students prepare a portfolio and will fill out a simple Google form.  You may look at the Portfolio Template as a Guide. You will also need to obtain a copy of your high school transcripts for grades 9 - 12, and any college transcripts where you have earned College Credit for Computer Science coursework.

You must also complete a Media Release (which requires a signature by a parent or guardian) located here.

Does the Portfolio have to be a Google Presentation?

 No, you can use a Google Presentation, or Microsoft PowerPoint, or even Microsoft Word.  The template is in Google Presentation to illustrate the layout and suggested information needed.

What if I did not take any Computer Science classes, or did not compete in any computer science or STEM competitions while I was in the 9th grade?

That is OK. The template does have a slide for each grade level.  9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, and 12th Grade. They are basically to serve as dividers in the portfolio.  If you have no activity that you wish to include for a particular grade level, you can just leave the slides (info) for that grade level.  However, if you like the notion of having a slide serving as a Divider you may leave that slide in.

What if the information I want to provide will not fit on one slide?

 It is OK to use more than one slide.  The template is there to provide you with a skeleton structure to build your portfolio around.  Just because a single slide is shown for a particular component, does not mean that you are restricted to only using one slide

What if I have multiple transcripts?

You must scan all of your transcripts into a single PDF file.  Sorry the system only allows one upload.