Will EdX and Coursera certificates improve my college application?

What are the pros of having Edx or Coursera certificates when applying to college?

Certificates from online courses could help your college application depending on where you're applying and what types of courses you take. Taking online courses in subjects that interest you shows initiative and passion, and that's always a plus to admissions officers. You could get an even more significant application boost by taking a Coursera or EdX course that is offered by a school where you plan on applying. Having already taken this class would show that you're genuinely very interested in the program. Many students who apply to a school like MIT, for example, have previously taken EdX courses offered by the school. I wouldn't sacrifice other commitments to take on one of these courses in high school, but if you find a class that sounds really interesting to you that's directly connected to a school where you plan on applying, it could be a smart way to demonstrate your commitment.

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