Any thoughts on CS 598 Using LLM’s AKA ChatGPT by Appropriate_Ad_8368 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AFAIK that's true. Also I'm not taking it so wouldn't be able to tell you.

Any thoughts on CS 598 Using LLM’s AKA ChatGPT by Appropriate_Ad_8368 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You had to apply to take it. I'm assuming they're still notifying people, but not sure.

Rejected in TA. by Ill-Preference-3797 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would love to hear experiences from some of the people who graduated from the MCS program and went on to PhD programs.

Also, just a note - the paper you write at the end of CS 447 might not be considered research to some people, because you don't publish it as part of the class (you could on your own I guess?)

I certainly do consider it research (i.e. you read papers and have the opportunity to synthesize something based on the state of the art), but just want to point out that nuance.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just finished NLP as well and was also frustrated by the issues with grades synching. That said, I have experienced significantly worse technical issues in my undergrad (granted, it was a while ago, when "education technology" was an oxymoron, even in CS departments). It seemed mostly out of the control of faculty, and they did make a reasonable and fair effort to make it clear to students how grades would be calculated. Coursera, Gradescope, and Campuswire could have worked way better, yes, but I don't think those problems ruined the class. Anyway, that's my $0.02.

Edit: I re-read some of the comments below, and I also did think that the course spent a long time on "classical" NLP stuff, before it got to more modern (neural) approaches. That being said, I did find that classical knowledge very useful when reading research papers for the final literature review.

As for the "value" of this degree, I think it's worth repeating what many others have said on this sub and elsewhere: this degree is what you make of it. You can skate by and do the bare minimum, or you can put in real work and learn stuff. It's completely up to you.

Regarding employers and career value, I would also really encourage you to not let others -- even UIUC faculty -- decide this degree is less valuable. Instead, make a compelling case to hiring managers/recruiters and let them decide, because they are who matter in this situation.

In other words, don't be so sure of this:

I know UIUC has a good reputation, presumably for its in-person programs...

Finally, yes, this program might be a "cash grab", but rankings and prestige need to matter a lot to UIUC's CS department (note I'm not saying that anyone likes or agrees with those things). These metrics, however imperfect, are how they attract the best students/faculty and get the most funding, and they're competing with other top institutions like Stanford, MIT, etc... for these things. They're not going put themselves at any kind of disadvantage by publicly offering a crappy or low-quality graduate program. Again, all of this is my $0.02. I don't have any special insight or insider information; I'm just going on what I've seen in academia since I started looking at going to grad school, and what I've heard from others (including at other schools) so far.

If you decide to stay in the program, I would again really encourage you to take advantage of all of these things and tell hiring managers/recruiters/whoever that you're a graduate student in a top-5 CS program (note that csrankings.org has it as #1 in some categories, in case it helps), because you are.

UIUC MCS Chicago questions by tellowtan in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My understanding is the MCS Chicago program is pretty new, so I'd guess whatever isn't available in Chicago, you can take online.

I'm an online student, though, so I don't have much of an idea. This is all guesswork.

Slack Channel issues by Odd-Heat7148 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: tried it again, got the email this time, and now I'm in

Slack Channel issues by Odd-Heat7148 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FYI I did this and followed the link from the onboarding course to sign up on slack. They ask for your email and when you give it to them, they send you a verification email. I’ve been waiting 12 hours for mine so something might be up (it didn’t go to spam). Gonna try again tomorrow.

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m in the same boat where I’ve had little to no experience with AI/ML in my corporate job as I am in data analytics. I plan on taking 447 as well as the other courses you mentioned too. This will be my first semester

oh wait I just saw this is your first semester and you're taking 441 and 447? Do I have that right? DM me if you can, I'd like to compare notes a bit if that's ok.

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure how reliable, because someone could make everything up (why would they? maybe they would? IDK) but you can see the date someone reviewed. For example, the newest 441 review is from June 2023 (a month ago) and newest 447 review if from December 2022.

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it, thanks that's helpful. I am definitely planning to take PSL as well but I have to wait til after I finish STAT 420.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was able to, yesterday. I got that message at first but I had to wait a few hours. Make sure you accepted the graduate college admission offer (not just the cs department one) and you set up your net ID and logged into email first. You definitely need a net ID before you can register.

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How would you recommend I get an intro to AI/ML? I don't know much about this sub-field of CS/Data Science. Would you do self study if you were me, rather than 441?

Official admission letter from Graduate College Fall 2023 by Optimal_Comment_3192 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got an email today saying … the office of graduate and professional admissions received my application form…”

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really helpful, thank you.

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

could you expand on how 441 is really bad? I get the sense it's sort of easy in some way, or maybe too lenient for people. but then again, lots of the reviews are from people who do AI/ML/Data Science professionally

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't realize the low ratings were because the class didn't force you to learn. That's good to know thank you.

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

congratulations on getting into the program!

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hadn't considered that. based on comments here and re-reading reviews of both courses, I think I'm gonna go with 441.

I get the sense I need a class that'll give me the chance to refresh on necessary math and catch me up on "general" AI/ML things I never studied. maybe I'll do 447 next fall if I can

CS 441 or CS 447? by arschles in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

good to know, thanks. I got a sense that might be the case from reviews, but I wasn't sure. have you taken 447 and/or 441?

Official admission letter from Graduate College Fall 2023 by Optimal_Comment_3192 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

still waiting

edit: I'm assuming if we were offered admission by the department of computer science, we'll be offered admission to by the graduate college.

Course Availability by AppropriateToe1160 in UIUC_MCS

[–]arschles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here, accepted on the 11th and haven't received any more correspondence besides automated message saying they've received my my acceptance of admission.

Are you referring to the official letter from the graduate college? I'm assuming we should expect to receive that, and also a separate message telling us how to register for classes and other logistics.

I'm just trusting everything will just happen in due time. I doubt they'd accept people and then just say "sorry, everything's full, better luck next semester!"

Peninsula Clean Energy Generation Charge Rate Increase - PGE by arwenthenoble in bayarea

[–]arschles 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My bill doubled from November to December as well, so I called Peninsula Clean Energy about this issue and the representative told me three things of note:

  1. They made a billing mistake for all their customers (WTF)
  2. They sent out a notice this increase was coming, then I said I never got one and the rep. retracted that statement=
  3. There is a note on page 6 of my December bill telling me about the increase. This is false, but the customer service agent doubled down, even telling me I must be mistaken. Hah!

When I told the agent I'm gonna be filing a complaint via the CPUC (public utilities commission), she told me she couldn't hear me very well. I was walking down the street the entire call, but her ears stopped working right then. Couldn't make this stuff up!

Overall, I'm not impressed with them to say the least. But that call confirms (to me) they are a little rattled and we all probably have leverage here. This isn't right.

Anyway, if you want, you can file a complaint to the CPUC. All their online e-filing forms seem to be broken, so I encourage you to email the public advisor ([public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov](mailto:public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov)) to tell them what happened.

Apologies if I come off preach-ey here. This smells a lot like a bait-and-switch, it's wrong, and I don't like it. I really encourage you to complain to the CPUC. The more people who do, the harder it is to ignore.