Canadian Computing Competition (CCC)
Waterloo's premier programming contest
Why It Matters
The CCC is Canada's most recognised competitive programming contest. Waterloo recommends that CS applicants write it, although it is not required for admission. A strong CCC score can set you apart in Canada's most competitive CS programs.
How to Start
Register through your school. The contest is written in February. Practice year-round at DMOJ (Canadian judge) or Codeforces. Start with CCC Junior before attempting Senior. Python, Java, and C++ are all accepted.
Commitment
- High commitment: several hours a week, often with evenings, weekends or travel.
- Best starting grade: G9
- Start practising in G8 or G9, but officially compete from G9 onward. Building a multi-year CCC history is very impressive.
Programs It Supports
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Mathematics
- Data Science
Majors it supports
- Computer Science – high 80s to high 90s depending on school
- Software Engineering – high 90s at Waterloo; high 80s to low 90s elsewhere
- Mathematics – high 80s to low 90s; CEMC contest scores are relevant at Waterloo
- Data Science – mid 80s to low 90s depending on school and entry route
Universities where it fits
Our profiles for these schools suggest Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) as a good fit for their applicants.
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
- Carleton University – Ottawa, ON
- Ontario Tech University – Oshawa, ON
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC
- University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Similar extracurriculars
- Hackathon Participation – Build real projects under pressure in 24-48 hours
- Coding / Computer Science Club – Learn and build together after school
- Build a Real Website or App – Create something people actually use
- Game Development Club – Design and ship video games as a team
- Canada Learning Code – Teach coding to others in your community
- University Youth Tech Programs – University-run summer tech programs for high schoolers
- School IT Help Desk / Tech Squad – Assist teachers and students with tech issues
- Hackathon Organizer (In-School) – Host a 12-hour coding competition in your cafeteria
- School Website / App Developer – Modernize your school's digital presence or create an announcements app