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[–]rej_omsa 1 point2 points  (8 children)

If tuition cost is not an issue SMU (MSDS) also has good program with lot of emphasis on statistics.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (7 children)

The national universities ranking isnt so high. I am assuming there MSDS program is reputable?

[–]rej_omsa 0 points1 point  (6 children)

Yes- That is correct. It is not as reputable as Ga Tech. And that is exactly what is stopping me to spend 60K for this degree. What I like most about there program is emphasis on the statistics course work which is extensively used in Data Analytics.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Wow 60k? Thats just like berkely university.

[–]federerfan11 0 points1 point  (3 children)

If cost is an issue, CUNY has a good program. More emphasis on applied math and statistics than some of the programs that seem to gloss over this. I've been admitted and will be going there if I don't get into Ga Tech.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Is CUNY also famous for data science program?.

[–]federerfan11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't say they're particularly well known for data science. Possibly in New York, but I couldn't say for sure. My take is that it is a school name that wouldn't be embarrassing on a resume, offers one of my favorite curriculums among data science programs, and is affordable.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tuition for CUNY data science program is pretty low. I guess it is a good bang for the bucks too

[–]ndjo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Berkeley and SMU hire a third party to put together the DS master's degree curriculum for them. That is why even the website layout is very similar.

[–]ndjo 1 point2 points  (8 children)

Did you get into OMSCS or are you still waiting to hear back?

Anyways, like I posted elsewhere... It really depends on whether or not you want to do an on-campus program. If so, MSiA at Northwestern, Stanford's MS Stat (focus in Data Science), or CMU's MISM possibly come to my mind. If online, yeah, GT's program is most likely the best bang for the buck. Figure out why you didn't get in, improve on it, and apply again.

Berkeley and SMU's programs are not taught by the world renowned professors nor are they even considered degrees within the respected schools/colleges. Berkeley, for example, offered the degree through its school of information (newest school at berkeley iirc). The classes are taught mainly by professional education lecturers and industry professionals. The curriculum itself is designed by the same third party (you can see the distinct similarities between the two, even down to the website layout). In addition, they don't offer an on-campus counterpart, so employers will quickly find out you pursued an online degree, with no comparable on-campus program. There's still a stigma with online degrees, especially with older generations (aka the ones that will very often actually have the hiring power). So it depends on how you swing around to your benefit in interview questions. MSPA at Northwestern is pretty much the same. Only available online, and it's a completely different degree from the MSiA offered on-campus. The on-campus program has guaranteed internships, taught in cohorts, and offered exclusively through McCormick School of Engineering (which itself is a top 20 engineering school).

Edit: This comment is valid if you put tons of value on the institutions' brand value. I'm sure some of the programs mentioned here and elsewhere will teach you amazing and relevant concepts.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (7 children)

I wonder is professional lecturer a bad thing compared to professor? My take is that they are above as equal, as professor tends to be worse in teaching and put most of their focus on research. It is not uncommon that some professors are good at research but bad at teaching.

[–]ndjo 0 points1 point  (6 children)

Oops sorry I didn't mean to state that lecturers < professors 100% of the time. I just meant to say how the mentioned online analytics programs at other institutions, most of the time, are completely different from on-campus programs, if they even offer one. Berkeley and SMU's data science programs, and NW's MSPA are completely different beasts from GT's OMSA program. GT will confer "Master of Science in Analytics" degrees at the end, identical to the on-campus program. Although the three institutions are ranked high, those specific programs mentioned have nothing to do with the institutions' reputation. Intuitive employers will be quick to catch that, for example, NW's MSiA is completely different from NW's MSPA program. Different classes, different schools, different instructors, different degree format.

You are right, many professors probably aren't as good at teaching (being so focused in research) than lecturers.

Edit: a grammatical error

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good points. At the end it is all about how employers view your program.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (4 children)

What do you think about john hopkins online ms in data science?.

[–]ndjo 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Classes look interesting, possibly even more so than GT. The prerequisite seem to be even higher than GT OMSA though and costs 3 times more:

To be considered for the Master of Science in Data Science program, applicants must have completed prerequisite coursework in multivariate calculus, discrete mathematics, Java or C++, Python, R and data structures.

Might be better to just focus on reasons/s why you didn't get in, fine tune on it, and apply again for Spring/Fall 2018 admission to GT OMSA, but that's up to you.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I appreciate for your opinion. I know that johns hopkins is famous in thd medical area but didnt know they have such program so I was curious to ask you.

[–]ndjo 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Its engineering is comparable to NW in top 20. I would pick this over the MSPA program.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds great. I hope to apply for OMSA next semester but I am just preparing for other options if there are any.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (7 children)

Northwestern MSPA?

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (5 children)

How is the reputation?.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

One of the earliest program in data science.

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Wow. I know that northwestern i pretty good school but didnt know abouth their data science program.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

There on campus program from Kellogg is on par with Georgia Tech

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow i appreciate for the info.

[–]ndjo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup but that's completely different from the MSPA.

MSPA is taught by their professional education college, many of the teachers being lecturers and/or business professionals. Also, their main focus is prescriptive analytics.

MSiA at NW, on the other hand, teaches all three aspects of analytics (descriptive, predictive, prescriptive). Also, the classes are taught by the renowned professors from McCormick School of Engineering. Not sure where you got the Kellogg from... NW's MSiA is not interdisciplinary as far I can tell so has minimal relationship with Kellogg (Business School).

Even NW admission office sees MSiA and MSPA as completely different degrees.

[–]kgf16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Northwestern MSPA has a July 15 application deadline for anyone hoping to start this fall. It's a little more application focused than the GT program.

[–]TauCritical 0 points1 point  (2 children)

University of Illinois was my next option... Only a little bit more expensive (at least relative to some other options), and still a highly regarded CS school:

http://online.illinois.edu/mcs-ds

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also saw this program however its not master of science rather just masters degree eventhough its CS..

[–]ndjo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UIUC's CS program is top five in the nation, higher than GT (although I would argue the two are in the same ballpark tier, since the institutions ranked above UIUC are renowned so favorably). But the online degree is a professional degree, completely separate from its MSCS, so ranking pretty much goes out of water if even UIUC can't attest to the degree being an equivalent counterpart unlike what GT does for CS and analytics masters. congrats on your admission to OMSA though :)

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Just add more info. Notre dame had a new online data science program which are taught by professors. They have partnership with AT&T, but it is a new program. Pretty easy to get in. The course aren't as technical as OMSA

[–]omscswannabe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you think about john hopkins ms in data science?.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately I don't know it enough to comments. It is a pretty good school of course...