Does Coursera count as a super-curricular activity?

I'm applying for computer science and I although I have read a suggested book for the topic, I need to do something else that counts as a super-curricular activity to mention in my personal statement. Would doing a Java course on coursera count?

Reply 1

Zoqua

Original post by rich67

Yes, a Java course on Coursera would count. But so would reading a book (the book is fine as long as you can discuss it and what you gained from it).

Reply 2

rich67

Original post by Zoqua

Yes, a Java course on Coursera would count. But so would reading a book (the book is fine as long as you can discuss it and what you gained from it).

Thanks

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Don't do things just because you think they will score you brownie points with admissions tutors. Pursue extra (or super) curricular activities because you have a genuine interest in those areas, and then discuss those interests sincerely in your personal statement. That will go much further to convince admissions tutors of your interest in the subject area than a jaded attempt to pad your PS.

Reply 4

rich67

Original post by artful_lounger

I agree. First of all the books I read are genuinely because I was interested in the topics they were talking about. For the online course, I 'm also pretty eager to learn and improve my skills. I was just asking if it would count as a super-curricular activity, otherwise I would have done another thing I'd like.

Reply 5

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by rich67

If you want to do the other thing, then do that. Universities, including Oxbridge/Imperial/similar, don't require a "quota" of supercurricular activities for the application to be considered. They just consider them in terms of demonstrating interest and aptitude for the subject area. I would note that for CS at Oxbridge (also Imperial, Edinburgh, and probably Warwick and UCL) supercurricular activities in maths would probably do more to demonstrate aptitude for their courses than programming work, since the courses at both universities are extremely mathematical and theoretically inclined.

Reply 6

rich67

Original post by artful_lounger

I'm thinking of applying to Warwick/ Royal Holloway or something else similar. What are some examples of super-curricular activities in maths? (I also love maths)

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 7

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by rich67

I'm thinking of applying to Warwick/ Royal Holloway or something else similar. What are some examples of super-curricular activities in maths? (I also love maths)

UKMT/BMO competitions are probably the major options. Supercurricular stuff probably won't be that important for applying to Royal Holloway anyway though.

Reply 8

rich67

Original post by artful_lounger

UKMT/BMO competitions are probably the major options. Supercurricular stuff probably won't be that important for applying to Royal Holloway anyway though.

thanks for your help

Reply 9

rae52

I would recommend having a go at some of the challenges on projecteuler.net math-based programming challenges are the best of both worlds :smile:

I've had so much success in academic interviews when mentioning it.

Reply 10

rich67

Original post by rae52

I would recommend having a go at some of the challenges on projecteuler.net math-based programming challenges are the best of both worlds :smile:

I've had so much success in academic interviews when mentioning it.

How many problems do you recommend doing?

Reply 11

rae52

Original post by rich67

How many problems do you recommend doing?

I've never actually been asked how many I've done, I usually just describe it as something I enjoy doing in my free time. I've only done the first 25 tbh (mostly because I insist on doing them in order rather than skipping the ones I can't solve immediately). It entirely depends on your programming ability/experience, some I can solve in 5/10 minutes whereas others take me hours or days to figure out.

I would attempt 2 or 3 to begin with to see how challenging you find them, then set yourself a challenge, e.g. I'm attempting to get to 50 before I go back to uni.