ROY LEE WAS DROPPED OUT!!!
Roy Lee got his life ruined and can't become a corporate NPC anymore.
We are seeking clemency. FREE ROY!
— Sign the petition
First Steps Out of Columbia on 03/27/2025
"I just got kicked out of Columbia for taking a stand against Leetcode interviews."
- First-time offender
- All non-violent convictions
- Condemned without parole
As per the charges, Roy Lee deserves some recognition from this board.
FUCK LEET CODE MANIFESTO
- We build, not memorize.
Real engineering is about solving problems, not reversing binary trees in isolation. - We reject broken hiring.
Speed-running Dijkstra’s algorithm doesn’t define a great engineer—real skills do. - We value knowledge over trivia.
Architecture, databases, and real-world challenges matter more than coding drills. - We learn by doing.
Building projects, shipping products, and solving real problems beat grinding LeetCode. - We prioritize teamwork.
Engineering is about collaboration, not solo algorithm speed tests. - We demand better interviews.
Judge us on experience, system design, and problem-solving, not rote memorization. - We refuse to play a rigged game.
Instead of grinding, we build, learn, and apply to companies that respect us.
Fuck LeetCode. Build cool shit instead.
WHO IS ROY LEE?
Eating with his fellow comrades
Computing
Having fun
Throwing gang signs
Meeting a fan
Happy with boyfriend
Flexxxing
Crying
Computing again
Eating ramen
Not recording
Very happy
EXEMPLARY CONDUCT
With fellow comrades
Roy Lee, a former Columbia University student, demonstrated exemplary conduct during his time at the university in 2024. As a CS major, Roy showed remarkable initiative by co-founding InterviewCoder, a tool aimed at challenging the fairness of Leetcode-style tech interviews.
His innovative spirit inspired peers, sparking meaningful discussions about tech hiring practices. Roy consistently supported his co-founder, fostering a strong partnership through tough times, and his bold decision to share his journey online reflected his commitment to transparency and reform.
Despite facing disciplinary action, Roy’s actions highlighted his dedication to pushing boundaries and advocating for change in the tech industry.
MAKING AMENDS
While in university, Roy Lee has found ways to make a meaningful impact. One of his latest contributions is the creation of "Fuck LeetCode Condoms"—designed for those taking on LeetCode challenges with the necessary protection.
LeetCode can be an unforgiving grind, pushing candidates through endless coding problems in the name of tech interviews. "Fuck LeetCode Condoms" serve as both a statement and a solution—offering a bit of humor, rebellion, and practical protection for those navigating the brutal world of technical assessments.
By turning frustration into innovation, this initiative not only makes a statement against outdated hiring practices but also provides a useful product that embraces resilience, self-care, and a bit of fun in the process.
Protection against bad interviews