Indeed, not all male computer science students have prior exposure to programming[0]. I didn't when I entered college, and I had several male peers who did. That they had that advantage was definitely intimidating. Yet, at the same time they were clearly participants in a hobby and community that I wanted to be a part of, and when I expressed interest they were quite welcoming. I think in large part they were just glad to find other people with whom they could share their passion.

Now, I'm doing quite well as an engineer and I thoroughly enjoy programming.

I have no prescriptions for women; all I'm suggesting is that we do not over-generalize about the experiences that men have in CS.

[0]Well, I did try to teach myself programming a couple different times, but I failed utterly and concluded that I wasn't cut-out for it. If anything that experience put me in a worse starting position. I started out college studying philosophy and literature.

edit: removed formatting issue.