Software Engineer New Grad 2026
Interview Date
Around May 2025
Result
Rejected (failed first round)
Difficulty
Hard (LeetCode Hard problem with 37% acceptance ra
Rounds
1 (out of 3 total planned rounds)
Drive Type
New Grad, Full-Time
Topics asked
Detailed experience
College: Not Specified
Interview Date: Around May 2025
Interview Type: New Grad, Full-Time
Result: Rejected (failed first round)
Difficulty: Hard (LeetCode Hard problem with 37% acceptance rate in 30 minutes)
Rounds: 1 (out of 3 total planned rounds)
Topics Asked: Data Structures (DFS, Trie), Algorithms
This candidate, applying for a Software Engineer New Grad 2026 position, described a "demoralizing" first-round interview experience. The interviewer presented a LeetCode hard problem with a 37% acceptance rate and expected it to be solved within 30 minutes.
The problem involved a combination of Depth-First Search (DFS) and Trie concepts. The candidate was able to implement the DFS part but failed to identify or implement the Trie optimization within the given time, leading to a rejection.
The candidate expressed disappointment, highlighting the difficulty of being asked such a challenging question for a new graduate role, especially with a tight time constraint.