I can't be absolutely sure but I think my code and online participation (totally unrelated, not even same programming language, domain, etc.) helped me in the end.

It shows I have MY (as opposed to 'uni forced me') foot in the door and proves (along with a certificate) that I know English really well.

There are many people who just coast through their CS degree on medium grades but still have basic problems with git, bash, English, etc.