Aanya Gupta

I am a first-year student at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. I’m interested in exploring a range of paths, including artificial intelligence, software engineering, and computational biology, through both research and startup opportunities. I chose computer science because I love mathematically driven problem solving and the chance to build things that make a real impact.

I studied at Random Math from 5th through 10th grade, taking both the regular classes and the Accelerator program, and attended the Random Math summer programs. My competition experience includes qualifying for the AIME four times, earning AMC 10 Honor Roll (top 2.5%), placing 5th in the General Test at the Stanford Math Tournament, receiving Honorable Mention at the InteGirls Bay Area Math Tournament, and earning Distinguished Honor Roll on the AMC 8. Some of my favorite memories come from working through tough problems with friends in class and competing together at tournaments.

I was also a TA and coach for the accelerator classes and regular program for three years. Explaining the same problem in unique ways for different students taught me to keep an open mind and adapt, always looking at problems from multiple angles. That habit has made a big difference in college, from working through tough homework with classmates to collaborating on group projects.

Competitive math has been incredibly helpful in my computer science journey. Many of the ideas I learned at Random Math, from number theory and combinatorics to proof-based reasoning, have been essential in my college coursework. Beyond specific techniques, Random Math strengthened my perseverance and my ability to break complex, multi-step problems into manageable pieces. I continue to apply this mindset to new challenges and experiences, at CMU and beyond.