Meet Alex, a high school senior with a passion for computer science who is torn between the traditional academic route and the practical benefits of co-op education. Growing up in a small town, Alex has always been fascinated by technology and spends weekends tinkering with projects and coding apps for fun. Although excited about the prospect of gaining work experience through co-op, he's also feeling the pressure of the competitive admissions process and wonders if opting for the regular CS program might enhance his chances of getting in.