Competitive Programming Overview

Please check out our Competitive Programming SI Flyer

The Summer Institute is an intensive two-week residential program for students who have a background in Computer Science with an interest in algorithms and programming competitions. The program offers lectures on data structures and algorithms commonly seen in competitions, several practice competitions, problem reviews of those competitions, and personalized coaching from coaches and members of UCF’s acclaimed Programming Team. The camp is specifically designed to help students improve their performance in contests such as USA Computing Olympiad, TopCoder, CodeForces, and eventually the ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest).

Students who have completed the Competitive Programming Summer Institute have gone on to earn the following accolades (each bullet represents a unique student):

  • 2024 ICPC World Finalist Bronze Medalist (Swarthmore College)
  • 2023 ICPC World Finalist (University of Central Florida)
  • 2019, 2021, 2022 ICPC World Finalist (University of Central Florida)
  • 2020 ICPC World Finalist Bronze Medalist (MIT) and 2022 ICPC World Finalist (Stanford)
  • 2020 ICPC World Finalist (University of Texas at Austin)
  • 2020 ICPC World Finalist (Virginia Tech)
  • 2017 ICPC World Finals (University of Rochester)
  • 2018 International Olympiad in Informatics Gold Medalist
  • Multiple USACO Camp Attendees

Although the camp is academically focused on programming competitions, the program will also include a few social activities and a kick-off event on the first evening of the program. One of the most important benefits to the participants is the opportunity to interact with like-minded peers who share similar interests and talents, and to make lifelong friendships.

Program Dates: Sunday to Friday, July 13 – 25, 2025

Program Cost: $2750

Who can apply? Applicants must be currently enrolled in grades 9-12 at the time of application and are required to be a minimum of age 15 by the start of the institute. No exceptions will be made for the minimum age required.

When can I apply? Applications open February 14, 2025. Please click here to view our application page.

For additional information, please view the Competitive Programming FAQs.