Freshman Question: Are Coding Projects Worth It for College?

I did some research and, yes, personal coding projects or apps can significantly strengthen a college application, especially when applying for computer science programs.

Demonstrates Passion and Initiative: Projects showcase your genuine interest in computer science beyond just coursework, highlighting your initiative and self-motivation.

Develops Practical Skills: Building projects allows you to apply theoretical knowledge and develop practical coding skills, which are highly valued by universities and future employers.

Creates a Portfolio: A collection of personal projects can serve as a portfolio, demonstrating your abilities and what you can achieve, even as a freshman. Platforms like GitHub are excellent for showcasing your work.

Shows Problem-Solving Abilities: Successfully completing projects requires problem-solving skills, which are crucial in computer science and indicate your potential for academic success in the field.

Provides Talking Points for Essays/Interviews: Projects offer concrete examples to discuss in application essays or interviews, allowing you to elaborate on your learning experiences and challenges overcome.

YES. 100%. You can add them to your activities list or submit them as a portfolio (ex: MIT has the Maker portfolio for stuff like this)