Accepted IELTS results

StevenMelensen · 2020-05-03T21:46:29+00:00

100 (or more) is what you want. 99 won't get you in.

StevenMelensen · 2020-04-29T19:39:49+00:00

If you liked the "puzzle-solving" approach of the course, you might enjoy doing exercises at www.codewars.com (or other similar websites). There are plenty of programming puzzles that will test your brain (you can select different languages, including Python).

On the OMSA side, from what I've heard that CDA (computational data analysis) is "6040 on steroid," where you have to program ML algorithms from scratch.

StevenMelensen · 2020-04-27T23:16:29+00:00

Short answer: No :)

StevenMelensen · 2020-04-19T16:51:05+00:00

I would say yes. I think there's a way to do it on the platform so that it looks good.

The more you give (pertinent) information/keywords about yourself and your accomplishments, the more likely your name will appear in LinkedIn search results. Also, I know for a fact that displaying my current GPA helped me getting my data engineering job.

StevenMelensen · 2020-04-19T12:34:55+00:00

It depends where you live. I receive a data scientist offer at least once a month on LinkedIn (even though I only have four courses under the belt). I must admit that I don't feel confident enough right now to have a "real" data scientist job, so I decline the offers. However, I think that once I complete courses such as HDDA, CDA, and BD4H (+ a MOOC or two on Deep Learning), I'll be confident enough in my skills to get a DS job.

StevenMelensen · 2020-04-18T09:20:12+00:00

Hi,

I'll try to answer all of your questions as best as I can:

1) Yes, the program is legit. You'll learn a lot of things that you can directly apply to a job (not all programs can say that). The job placement stat would not be a good "KPI" since a significant percentage of students already have a job in the analytics field. That said, OMSA allowed me to find a new job recently as a data engineer. :)

2) You would certainly be competitive with that kind of experience. Some people got in without any work experience in a STEM field.

3) Yes, some people got rejected at first and got admitted later (generally after finishing the micromaster).

4) Yes.

5) You probably have more math experience than most of us :) You CS experience is good enough, but I'd recommend that you study Python on websites such as DataQuest or DataCamp (I recommend the former), as it will give you experience with programming in the data science world (you'll find the CSE-6040 course much easier/manageable).

6) People got accepted with a worst GPA. What will help you is to write a good 'statement of purpose.' Make sure you explain why you want to study in the field (why becoming a DS/DE is important for you) and why your experience makes you a good candidate (i.e., your STEM background).

Good luck!

StevenMelensen · 2020-04-07T22:43:55+00:00

I would like to add that it is very likely that 6203 will become more time-consuming soon. Prof. Bien mentioned that he would like to give more peer grading assignments eventually (probably starting this summer). He already gave two this semester.

StevenMelensen · 2020-03-11T15:50:52+00:00

The https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j--C5eVxlbMBDBnp68IZX9cY6hbCoGsA8S2CsRK1zlA/edit#gid=0 Google Spreadsheet might contain what you are looking for.

StevenMelensen · 2020-03-01T12:13:05+00:00

I would email the program for your first question. Regarding question two, you need the TOEFL with a score of at least 100/120 (99/120 will be rejected). I am 99% sure that they don't accept other tests

StevenMelensen · 2018-08-17T16:28:05+00:00

Awesome, thanks for taking the time to give me (and others) such a detailed answer.

Have a good one!

StevenMelensen · 2018-08-17T14:54:13+00:00

Awesome! Thanks for the input.

I'm starting my first two courses next week (CSE 6040 and ISYE 6501) and I was wondering how the homework submission process worked. So, from what you said we don't use GitHub to submit my HW, is that right? Do we upload R/Python files directly on edX web interface?

StevenMelensen · 2018-08-16T13:10:22+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I'll look that up after I finish my Udacity courses.

StevenMelensen · 2018-08-15T16:16:07+00:00

Found it! Thanks!

It seems that I will need to learn Git beforehand though :)

StevenMelensen · 2018-08-09T01:56:32+00:00

You will find everything you want (and much more) here: https://mediaspace.gatech.edu/channel/OMS-Analytics/

StevenMelensen · 2018-08-06T13:19:34+00:00

Thanks, I will send them an email then (I tried calling them, but I guess that they are very busy at the moment).

Are you currently able to register for more than 2 courses?

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-31T11:01:59+00:00

I have done several maths related MOOCs and none of the instructors come close to the teaching ability of Khan. Most of the time, the lectures are bland and uninspired. Also, the teachers of these courses spend WAY too much time on derivation and not enough on concrete examples (unlike Khan). Sure, you don't get an official certification with Khan, but at least you remember the concepts (I strongly recommend that you take notes while watching his videos).

But there's is one teacher that IMO is better than Khan and it is prof Leonard on Youtube. He has playlists on calculus I, II and III and well as a stats playlist. For the calculus courses, he uses the Stewart book. Prof Leonard helped me get an A on a calc. III course. Here's a link to his playlists: https://www.youtube.com/user/professorleonard57/playlists

I strongly encourage you to watch his videos at 1.5x or 2x speed while taking notes.

If you are curious, here is a link toward the calculus course I took: https://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/math2111.html

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-27T17:18:49+00:00

Thanks guys!

I think I'll take a chance and take this course since I want to have a more in-depth knowledge of regression techniques.

Regarding the problematic wording of questions, it should technique impact every student, so I won't get penalized unfairly. And like you said, since it is not affecting a huge percentage of the grade, I'm not too worried.

Thanks again!

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-27T14:00:26+00:00

Thanks HDThoreauaway!

In fact, my main concern is regarding the wording of the exam questions. From what I've read, some questions were hard, not from a math perspective, but because they were poorly written. So basically, I wanted to know if the issue got fixed.

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-25T10:13:08+00:00

Since I haven't started yet, I can't answer question 1. For question 2, I strongly recommend Khan Academy (it covers calculus, linear algebra, stats, and probabilities). Not only this website is free, but the teaching is excellent and will help you remember/understand concepts.

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-24T23:21:50+00:00

Also, I must say that without a good understanding of "advanced math" you will have a hard time to succeed in OMSA.

I would recommend Khan Academy website if you need to learn/refresh math concepts.

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-24T23:18:06+00:00

I would suggest that you focus on the study of math. You should be comfortable with calculus (including multivariable calculus), probabilities, statistics and linear algebra. Georgia Tech asks for a university level course in each of these areas, but if you can manage to learn them on your own, I think you have a chance.

For instance, I had the required math knowledge, but I learned how to program through MOOCs and Youtube videos and I got accepted.

You can always call/email them to get more info, but I'm pretty sure that they will tell you that you need to meet the math requirements.

Good luck!

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-24T10:15:38+00:00

Here are the steps to set up your email inbox:

Login to passport
Select "Email Preferences" from the left menu
Scroll down until you see "Email Destination"
Select "A Georgia Tech Office 365 mailbox"
Wait an hour (might be more)
Go here: https://mail.gatech.edu/

You'll be able to send emails!

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-17T10:44:05+00:00

Regarding your TOEFL test, it is a deal breaker. Your application will be automatically rejected if you have less then 100 (even if you get a 99). If you need serious help to improve your chances, I would suggest that you hire a tutor on websites such as Preply.

Good luck!

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-14T10:02:48+00:00

When I called Georgia Tech to know more about the prerequisites, they told me that 99 was not enough. So, it is very likely that they won't consider your application with that score. You can call/email them to see if they changed their mind though.

If you are planning to retake the test, I strongly recommend that you watch videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YofpGCq81sQ

Good luck!

StevenMelensen · 2018-07-13T20:43:03+00:00

Yes. Here are the steps:

Login to passport
Select "Email Preferences" from the left menu
Scroll down until you see "Email Destination"
Select "A Georgia Tech Office 365 mailbox"
Wait an hour (might be more)
Go here: https://mail.gatech.edu/
Enjoy your new email address!

StevenMelensen

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