At a recent Fireside Chat, our co-founders Gopi and Vineet explored one of the most sought-after yet misunderstood majors in college admissions today: Computer Science.

We began by sharing the story behind why we started Future Forward and how our philosophy—centered on clarity, personal growth, and strategic planning—sets us apart from traditional college counseling. From there, we dove into what really matters in the admissions process, when to start (spoiler: grade 10 is not too late), and how to thoughtfully approach CS-focused applications. Parents appreciated the clear breakdown of different tech-related majors like CS, CE, IS, and ECE, as well as insights on applying through schools of engineering vs. arts & sciences.

We addressed key questions around academic rigor, passion vs. performance, the myth of early coding, and how extracurriculars like research, hackathons, and self-initiated tech projects can help students shine. Our deep dive into UC admissions, Direct Admit CS programs, and finding “hidden gem” CS schools resonated strongly.

As we closed, we introduced our unique 4-year MAP strategy and JOURNAL framework — designed not just to boost admissions outcomes but to foster authentic student development, resilience, and voice. We also touched on navigating the waitlist process with calm and confidence. It was an energizing session, and a testament to the power of planning early and planning well.