Our guest blogger is Abel, an Ethiopian student majoring in Computer Science! He's going to tell us what it was like to participate in a competitive programming event.
On November 16, 2024, my team and I participated in the ICPC Pacific Northwest Regional (Washington D2 Site) for the third time. The contest was held at the University of Washington, Tacoma, and it remains one of the most exciting and challenging programming competitions I've ever experienced.
Our journey began in 2022 when we were freshmen. Competing for the first time, we managed to solve two problems, gaining valuable insights into the contest's structure and atmosphere.
In 2023, we returned with more experience. The environment felt familiar, and we were more confident. This time, we performed better and finished in 6th place.
Each year has been a learning experience, helping us grow as a team and improve our problem-solving skills. This year, all of our hard work paid off. We won 1st place at the Washington D2 Site! It was an unforgettable moment that showed us how much progress we've made since our first contest.
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| The winning team: Yonatan, Abel, and Biniam |
What is ICPC?
The International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitive programming events in the world. Teams of three university students are tasked with solving complex computational problems within a set time. The event is intense, and the competition isn't just about writing code. It's about teamwork, quick decision-making, and navigating challenges without external help.
What ICPC Competition Day Looks Like
On ICPC day, you can travel from PLU to the University of Washington (Tacoma) in a few ways: with your friends, with Dr. Wolff (Prof. of Computer Science), or by taking the Number 1 bus (this is the same bus you might have used if you went to Tacoma for the scavenger hunt during orientation).
After getting off the bus at UW Tacoma, you'll need to find the building based on the map provided by Dr. Wolff during registration or sent to you via email. Once you arrive, you'll check in with the organizers, let them know you are there, and receive your ID badge and an ICPC shirt.
We had to arrive before 11 AM, and from 11 to 12, there was an orientation session. After that, the competition started at 12 PM in another room.
When entering the competition room and going to your assigned seat, no electronics or bags are allowed. From 12 to 5 PM, everyone is coding and trying to solve as many problems as possible.
A live scoreboard is displayed on the screen, which adds to the competitiveness. It also helps you see which problems are easier, based on what other teams have solved. We focused on solving those problems first before attempting the more difficult ones that most teams skipped.
Around 6 PM, the results are announced, and the top 3 teams receive medals (which are later mailed to PLU).
The Challenge: 13 Problems, 5 Hours
The problems ranged in difficulty, requiring not just coding skills but a deep understanding of algorithm techniques. We had to make decisions fast, decide which problem to tackle first, how to divide tasks, and how to debug the issues that kept popping up.
There were moments when time seemed to slip away, and we found ourselves stuck on a particularly difficult problem, but the key to success was clear communication and teamwork. If one of us got stuck, the other two jumped in to help, and together we kept moving forward.
After hours of intense problem-solving, our efforts paid off. We won first place at the Washington D2 site, and we were ranked 15th out of all teams in the Division 2 category! 🎉
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| Teammates Abel, Biniam, and Yonatan |
Why You Should Try ICPC
If you're into programming and problem-solving, I highly recommend giving ICPC a try. It's an incredible opportunity to push yourself, learn from others, and challenge your problem-solving abilities in ways that go beyond the classroom.
Plus, the experience you gain is something you can add to your resume, which can make a difference when applying for internships or jobs, especially in tech fields. Employers value candidates who can demonstrate teamwork, algorithmic thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure, all of which ICPC helps you develop.
If you're interested in participating, make sure you're on the Computer Science department's email list. When registration time comes around, Dr. Wolff sends an email with details on how to sign up.
- Abel
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