<p>"Interestingly, a number of the admitted students noted that they had explored classes on edX, an online system of free courses from MIT, Harvard, and Berkeley." ></p>
<p>Do online courses from sites like edx or coursera add any impact to one's application to universities in general? Not that I think anyone does these courses just for showing off, of course. </p>
<p>P.S: Would it effect someone like say, an international applicant applying for MIT? <em>innocent eyes</em></p>
<p>i highly doubt that… sure u can add it in ur app if u want to…but they wont really hold any real importance…they would probably come under ECs and to be honest, u can spend the time doing better ECs that actually do make a difference in others lives…
plus, its not something very unique either, most of the courses are open to thousands if not millions and if, as u said, a lot of students applying are going to be adding them in their apps then they loose the “exclusive” charm…</p>
<p>unless MAYBE if u complete like 20 to 30 of them at the same time and end up getting like 90% marks…THEN they might become somewhat attention grabbing… but there’s still no guarantee :D</p>
<h1>EarlyAction95 The certificates don’t put in the percentage. I mean, if you get 60% or 90%, it doesn’t matter so long as you pass the bar. Woah, 20 to 30 at a time, that’s tough. I have like 5 or 6 of 'em, so I guess I won’t add it in. Or maybe I’ll put it in the end of it, though like you said, there are better ECs.</h1>
<h1>lookingforward As in, how one is passionate about the subject? Quality over quantity?</h1>
<p>Yeah, a few coursera courses do have two: with and without distinction. On second thought, would it be a bad idea to send coursera certificates to MIT? Since MIT is far more invloved with edx (it was a founding member) than coursera (which it has nothing to do with.) Not that I have a chance anyway, but still.</p>
<p>I’m willing to bet that they’ll note “that’s cute” and move on to your other credentials. MOOCs are online, unregulated classes so not really very different from reading a good book. Would you also include “I enjoy reading unassigned books” in your EC list? Just sayin’ lol.</p>
<p>It’s what it says about your curiosity and willingness. I have some young friends who did online to enrich what else they were learning, questioning and engaged in, followed the courses through for the satisfaction. It made sense. This works well for you (on a personal level) when the courses are either high level or unusually deep. But you can’t fake it out. These were kids who could integrate their “whole picture.” They weren’t looking to impress anyone (or replace some school class) and were often frank (with me) that they had to focus in, sometimes repeat sections. See the difference?</p>
<p>I don’t mean to argue, but wouldn’t online classes show that you are willing to sacrifice extra time for education/your passions? As far as I have read, its really important on an application to show you do have passion for your major or education. So, wouldn’t it help?</p>
<h1>lookingforward, Yes, I also suppose honor isn’t a strict invigilator, and that you can’t ‘fake it’. But from what you and #toxiclance say, it might indeed show your passion. It works on a personal level, right? But isn’t that what the universities want to see?</h1>
<p>Passion is mostly a CC concept. What you need to show is more about vision and follow through. Determination. The right ideas that are relevant. But CC people like the open-endedness of the word “passion.”</p>
<p>If MOOCs are taken up just for the sake of college admissions there is no doubt that they will not take you far. Of course they would PERHAPS help at a minuscule level to show passion but what would matter is how have you utilized the stuff you’ve learned there (i.e demonstrating passion through tangible output – of course this is not everything but if you’re shooting for top schools it would be important). </p>
<p>I think MOOCs would be most helpful with computer science courses (and maybe other scientific courses – research help?) where you learn to code and you know, you could just make cool programs and have something to show for what you learned through those courses. Taking stuff like “an intro to the history of the world”, on the other hand, is equivalent to reading books relating to the same. And yeah, you have to sacrifice extra time to read books too :)</p>
<p>I think MOOCs would be superior to reading books in one way. I agree, you sacrifice time for your passion in each process, but if you have a certification of completion from your online class, you can actually put it on your college app.</p>
<p>I highly doubt it’s the online courses from edX that are helping these students be admitted to MIT. I think it’s much more likely that the type of student who would be admitted to MIT would also be interested in taking edX courses for fun, to explore an interest in a topic, or just out of curiosity.</p>
<p>Don’t do it for your college application. There are much better ways you could be spending your time. If you’d like to take a class just out of interest, there’s nothing wrong with that of course, but don’t expect it to have a significant boost on your application.</p>
<p>Who said you can’t put “I read books” on your college app? A friend had written “I like to read the classics in my spare time” on her app (she studies at Yale atm). Of course she was otherwise qualified, but I’m just saying it will have minuscule influence on your admission decision.</p>
<p>What baktrax said is correct, however. “I think it’s much more likely that the type of student who would be admitted to MIT would also be interested in taking edX courses for fun” spot on. </p>
<p>P.S: I think getting certifications of completion are equivalent to writing book reviews on blogs. Both hold the same weight :)</p>