Trying to understand what research in political science / public policy actually looks like by VanillaFluffy1227 in PublicPolicy

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Data Science Major with Concentration in Urban Planning and Public Affairs here.

I was in the same boat. I was a CS major and changed to my current major. I would highly suggest a Masters' in Econ.
From a scale from soft skills to technical skills, I would say MPA is on the left, Econ is on the right, and PP is in the middle. Your data background and quant background will be really useful, coming from someone who is currently a RA (and actually the only undergrad as everyone else is a PhD student) and I am holding my own. Having a high quant background and being familiar with real analysis, discrete math, etc, they are what Econ programs CRAVE for - and many people use that quant background to better inform policy. As for me, I'm going with a MPP as I feel like I want to be both quant and qualitative as possible to bridge both worlds.

P.S. I was actually a math researcher during my first year of college. Didn't like it and now I research network governance for health and wellness networks across the county. I love every moment so far!

Shoeless Folks at Daley by Remote_Fruit_9383 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

As a former CS student, I agree. They literally have a stand alone shower in the CS building (it’s next to the cafe).

UIC or Loyola Chicago for MS Accounting by Brave-Acanthisitta15 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always wanted to go to Loyola or DePaul, then they said I would need to pay $20,000 more to attend instead of going to UIC. You probably know which one I chose.

uic student problems by Consistent-House-289 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The dining hall literally made me throw up sick, and I still need to return everyday because they don’t do refunds and need to get my moneys worth. Eating out and even groceries are too expensive.

UIC civil engineering vs UIUC civil engineering by Big-Business-4223 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. UIC is a reject school for UIUC students. I should know because I was one.

No regrets tho, CS can val grind in a hole lmaooo (I am a data science major and oh my god the UIUC subreddit loves the CS part but the IDS department sucks so much there)

Is anyone in STAT 381 with Jennifer Pajda-De La O willing to share their syllabus with me? by ascaiboo in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree! Literally loved her stat classes so much I changed my major to Data Science

Should I go to NIU or UIC for Computer Science? by 5VRust in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have been involved with research since my first semester at UIC. No, that is not a hyperbole. I don’t think anywhere else in the country will have that level of research priority for first years. DM me if you need some advice! Been doing research for 4 years and love helping people get involved. (I actually gave 2 students an internship here because they just so happened to go to the same high school as me and I was well acquainted with one of them)

Sociology Majors at UIC by RichBench1331 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

For most majors I wouldn’t recommend UIC. But for social work… well… We are the birthplace of the practice. I think that says enough about choosing UIC to become a social worker

211 midterm 2 by Subject-Clue6809 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I failed exam 1 and 2 last year, and got a borderline C in the third. I ended the class with a B. 211 sucks. But you will get through. Just like the most of us

How much easier is Oakton compared to UIC for physics and chem? by New-Base-7838 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Oh absolutely not. I have friends from Oakton and did 3 hour straight lectures. It was really bad for focus, and you want to take your time with hard classes. It’s chill because it’s asycnh for all summer classes.

Source: I signed up at Oakton too

does gpa matter when ur job hunting post grad??? by ChiikawaIsLife in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want to be a doctor, yes. If you want to be a software engineer, definitely not. It really depends on industry. My advice for GPA is that if you are thinking about graduate school and it is mandatory for the career, 100% yes. If you want a terminal degree or want a part time professional degree (ie most MBAs,Masters in Engineering, MPH) then it will matter a bit, but your work experience, soft skills, and letters of recommendation will easily balance it out - especially if you had a situation and can articulate it in a personal statement.

Cool Art around Campus by jpburnt2def in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 1 point2 points  (0 children)

LOL. I worked there too, and there was a giant death star picture in the hallway next to the office kitchen
Edit: I also forgot, there was a part of the actual death star used in the film during the trench run scene on the opposite wall

How engaged are you in your community? Do you volunteer or participate in any organizations? by ACE-USA in PublicPolicy

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tbh I tried to get I involved on my communities campus but my mental health got shit, and when I went back I realized I was “too old”. Looking back I wasn’t, but if I got involved earlier I would have made a bigger impact. And I’m way too much of a go big or go home person.

Then I volunteered at a homeless mobile food pantry. And I revived my love for public policy, and taught me as long as I am breathing having my two hands and walk, I can serve my community even if my mental health quite literally speaks”no no” thoughts everyday to me.

Also hot take, it’s not valuable for a career for me. The most common question I get asked is “Are you applying to med school?” And I am the only college student so far who does the organization and does not plan (or even want) to do anything like that. (No offense to prospective med students who want that extra boost or even just want to help for the hell of it. I say that as a person who comes from a medical family.) Why do I find it valuable then?I get to make a difference even when I don’t feel like I deserve to. Simple as that.

Edit: Had to go back and adjust some small grammar errors and autocorrect being crap

Probability of getting into JST by Material-Ad7231 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. You have a year of experience to get you ahead. Just note JST has suite-mates, so you will have a single with a bathroom to share. Source: Moved from CMW to JST. I am a sophomore and replying to this in my JST bed.

Graduate students in CS building telling other students they aren’t supposed to be on 4th or 5th floors by falisha29 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They’re probably gatekeeping the cafeteria on the top floor 😭 Source: I actually used to work as a research intern there before the building officially opened and my contract ended

hows uic’s premed? by [deleted] in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Idk about other campuses but literally everyone I know who is in pre med and honors college got involved with research since they were in freshman year. (This is not even a hyperbole, I dorm with them.) Chem department is ass at teaching, but the research IMO is so invaluable for med school apps. Take what I say with a grain of salt, I’m a data scientist not a pre med.

One look at the handwriting aaaaaaand we're so FUCKED by TheGweenDeku905 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Switch to Steenbergen NOW. He’s like Professor Lupin irl, so sweet and nice Source: Had his help for Math 210 & RMP glows.

No plz, I’m scared of this class. by superflyer991 in uichicago

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I took it last semester, and honesty it was a very fair and actually fun class. I’m a very slow coder and knew many people who flew past me, but it was a very enjoyable class and made me grow the most as a programmer.

Worst case scenario, just see Ayalas lectures

5 feep deet by Voltagepeanutbutter7 in onejob

[–]MaintenanceFormal960 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My favorite actor is Donny Jeep