About Competitive Programming

If you want to know more about competitive programming at Princeton or just to chat about competitive programming in general feel free to contact Pedro Paredes (pparedes_at_cs.princeton.edu).

What is competitive programming?

Competitive programming is an activity where individuals or teams solve complex algorithmic and mathematical problems within strict time limits. Participants use programming languages to devise efficient solutions, aiming to optimize both correctness and speed. It’s a highly competitive and intellectually stimulating activity that attracts computer science enthusiasts worldwide, testing their coding skills and problem-solving prowess in a structured and competitive environment.

Why should I do competitive programming?

Competitive programming sharpens your problem-solving and coding skills, preparing you for the challenges of the tech industry. It fosters a mindset of efficiency and creativity while tackling complex problems within tight deadlines. Additionally, participation enhances your resumes and opens doors to internships and job opportunities at top tech companies, making it a practical and rewarding investment in their future careers. It’s also a great way to practice for tech interviews.

If you are interested in competing in university contests, check out our page on the ICPC contests.

What if I don’t want to compete?

Most of our events are about problem solving and learning, and competition is completely optional. By coming to our weekly events you can learn more about problem solving, learn new algorithms and data structures, practice your coding abilities and prepare for tech interviews. We will also organize interview prep sessions during the fall semester (details to be announced soon), which will be more focused on the interview aspects.