Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)

# Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) The Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is one of the most competitive and prestigious free summer programs in computer science available to high school students. Hosted at Google offices across the United States, CSSI is a three-week intensive program designed for graduating high school seniors who are underrepresented in computer science—including Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students, women, and first-generation college students. ## What Is CSSI? CSSI was created by Google to address the critical diversity gap in technology. The program recognizes that exceptional computer science talent exists across all communities, and that systemic barriers—not lack of ability—account for underrepresentation in tech. CSSI provides direct exposure to Google's engineering culture, professional mentorship, and a rigorous introduction to CS fundamentals, all for free. ## Program Structure CSSI runs for **three weeks** each summer, typically in July and August. Students are hosted at Google offices in cities including: - Mountain View, CA (Google HQ) - New York, NY - Cambridge, MA - Seattle, WA - Chicago, IL - Boulder, CO - Los Angeles, CA Participation is fully funded by Google—program tuition, meals, and housing support are provided at no cost to participants. **Week 1: CS Fundamentals** - Introduction to Python programming (no prior experience required) - Web development basics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript - Introduction to algorithms and data structures - Code review and collaboration practices used at Google **Week 2: Applied Development** - Working in teams on a full-stack web application - Introduction to cloud services (Google Cloud Platform) - APIs and databases - Product management and UX design thinking **Week 3: Project Showcase** - Teams complete and present their applications to Googlers - Final project demo day - Career panel with Google engineers from diverse backgrounds - Campus tour and exploration of Google's culture ## Eligibility Requirements CSSI is designed for: - **Graduating high school seniors** (the summer before starting college) - Students from underrepresented groups in CS: Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, women, first-generation college students, and students from low-income backgrounds - Students who have been admitted to a college or university for the following fall - No prior computer science coursework required—beginners are explicitly welcome Students who are planning to study CS or a related field are given priority, but interest (not declared major) is what matters. ## Application Process Applications open in **November** and close in **February**. The application includes: - Academic transcript - Two short-answer essays (about background, interests, and what you hope to gain) - Demonstrated financial need (for some tracks) Admission is selective—CSSI receives tens of thousands of applications for a few hundred spots across all host sites. ## After CSSI CSSI alumni are part of the Google CSSI Alumni Network—a community that includes current Google employees, college students, and recent program graduates. Alumni receive invitations to Google-hosted events, networking opportunities, and priority referrals for future Google internships. Many CSSI alumni go on to intern at Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and other tech companies in college, crediting CSSI as the catalyst for their professional trajectory. ## Why CSSI Matters Google CSSI is among the most prestigious free CS programs in the country. For underrepresented students, it is a transformative signal on a college resume and a genuine bridge to the technology industry. Many universities—particularly MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Georgia Tech—recognize CSSI as a mark of exceptional initiative and potential.