I just got an email from Google Summer Engineering Practicum for rising sophomores and juniors. They want to have a phone interview with me and I'm really scared. I only took 3 CS classes, intro Python, C and C++. I'm just now taking Data Structures. Any tips? How many people, on average, get in?

I've got 3 tips for you. Tip 1: don't be scared. Tip 2: don't be scared. Tip 3: don't be scared. What's the worst that could happen? I would rather worry about what would happen to me if I run into an angry gorilla :)

The interviews for Engineering Practicum are catered to *your* level, they aren't the same as the typical Software Engineering Internship interviews. I would definitely take advantage of the opportunity and follow-through with the interviews. Review the concepts you learned in your intro to CS classes and what you've learned in data structures so far. Remember to say out loud what you're thinking to the interviewer, ask clarifying questions, etc. It's meant to be conversational. And realize that the worst that could happen is that you don't pass the interviews, which means you're back to where you started but you have technical interview experience under you belt which is a great advantage. You'll know what sort of things you need to work on the for the next time you have a technical interview, and you'll feel much more confident. You'd rather get the practice now as a freshman/sophomore than wait until you're a junior!

See my answer at

I did (according to the recruiter) very well on those interviews. I only know Python, and I've only taken 1 CS class. Don't worry!