Lately, I’ve been asking myself a big question: what’s the best path to stand out for admission into top universities in Canada and the U.S.? Should I invest my time into creating a few meaningful projects, or should I give my absolute best to earn a medal at the Canadian Computing Olympiad (CCO)?

Option 1: Build 3 Projects

Here are the three projects I’m considering: 1. Competitive Programming Tracker – A web app that tracks coding contest progress, offering analytics and recommendations for improvement. 2. QuantSim – A simulation tool for basic trading strategies, designed for students curious about quantitative finance. 3. Euclid Puzzle Generator – A platform that generates math competition–style problems with step-by-step solutions.

Option 2: Aim for a CCO Medal

On the other hand, winning a medal at the CCO is one of the strongest signals of programming ability in Canada. It’s highly respected by top universities like Waterloo, MIT, and U of T. A medal could demonstrate not just skill, but perseverance in one of the hardest competitions in the country.

The Dilemma • Projects: Broader, showcase creativity, and build a public portfolio. But they take consistent effort and may not carry as much prestige as a medal. • CCO Medal: A single, high-prestige achievement that could open doors, but also very high risk — only a handful of students win medals each year.

My Question

Should I put most of my effort into building 3 strong projects that reflect who I am, or should I dedicate everything to trying for a CCO medal, knowing it’s a very high bar but also a big payoff?