CODE CHALLENGE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Before you dig into our admissions code challenge, we want to ensure you know what to submit & how to submit it. Scroll down for more information and don’t hesitate to contact admissions@marcylabschool.org with any questions!

WHAT ARE WE ASKING YOU TO SUBMIT?

  • A comprehensive code challenge submission will consist of:

    (1) functional code, created, tested, and stored in CodePen, for Admissions Code Challenges 1-5.

    Instructions for Using CodePen

    1. Open the CodePen link
      This will open a starter pen in your browser.

    2. Create a CodePen account
      If you do not already have an account, click Sign Up in the top-right corner, complete the registration, and log in.

    3. Focus on the JavaScript editor only
      You will see three editors: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
      Minimize the HTML and CSS editors by clicking the down arrow (▾) at the top of each editor.
      You should work only in the JavaScript (JS) editor.

    4. Write your code
      Enter all of your code in the JavaScript editor. Do not modify the HTML or CSS editors.

    5. View the output
      Your code will run automatically as you type. The output will appear in the preview area at the bottom of the screen.

    6. Save your work
      Click the Save button at the top of the screen to store your progress.

    (2)a Code Challenge Reflection, ~250 words in length, that addresses the following questions:

    • Did you enjoy completing this challenge? If so, what parts did you most enjoy?

    • What was the hardest part of this challenge?

    • What resources did you use to learn to code for this challenge?

    • If you were to have more time to work on this code challenge, is there anything you’d do to improve upon what you’ve submitted? If so, what?

HOW ARE WE ASKING YOU TO SUBMIT?

  • To submit your code challenge:

    (1) log back in to your 2026 Fall Fellowship application portal in SMApply.

    (2) click the green “start”button on the 2026 Fall Fellowship section of your portal. You should be taken to a new page that has “Code Challenge Submissions” under the Application portion of “Your tasks".

    (3) click the right arrow on your Code Challenge submissions tab. This will take you to a new page that has a Code Challenge Submission Form.

    (4) paste your CodePen Link into the space provided under “Code Challenge Submission.”

    (5) paste, or write, your code challenge reflection in the space provided under Code Challenge Reflection.

    (6) hit the green MARK AS COMPLETE button.