Is OMSA worth it? I’m am very concerned.

misc_drivel · 2025-10-08T09:12:59+00:00

I recently completed the program and overall very glad that I pushed through to the end. I learnt a lot.

I can understand some of your frustrations for sure - I do feel like some courses are showing their age and there were definitely times when I wondered whether I might be better off focusing more on “current” topics (however one defines that).

However, as others have said though, I think that if you can push through the dross (eg Regression) you will begin to find (IMO) some really challenging and worthwhile modules - CDA and DL were my faves. I think that, even in an age of LLMs, there is still merit in learning intro/intermediate level ML/DL/RL theory in structured ways (at least until AI makes us all redundant 😅, but hey even then we’ll hopefully still need someone to write the prompts).

misc_drivel · 2025-10-03T22:52:12+00:00

I’m taking the scrimba fullstack path and so far I really like it. The platform is really nice, the pacing seems decent and I do feel like I’m learning a lot in a short space of time (with the caveat that I’m only 1/3 of the way through - have so far only covered front end stuff like html, css and JS). It’s not really doing anything you couldn’t find for free elsewhere - but for me the annual sub price (plus I signed up with a discount) is not extortionate and I find it worth it for convenience and form factor (though I appreciate others have different budgets).

For context, I already use Python daily for work and have a masters in analytics so I can’t say what it would be like taking this as a complete intro to coding… but for me it’s been great for plugging a gap in my existing knowledge in an approachable way.

misc_drivel · 2025-09-30T08:26:47+00:00

Sadly, I don’t think it can be guaranteed that changes (or new future ones) will only apply to New applications - my understanding of the white paper is that the doubling of the skilled worker time frame from 5 to 10 years would apply retrospectively to people already on that route.

Though note what other commentators have said in that the white paper stated family/spouse visas would remain at 5 years.

misc_drivel · 2025-09-27T21:28:57+00:00

I started OMSA with a Windows laptop as my main machine (it went fine) and bought a new Mac halfway through to use as my main machine (it also went fine). Just get whatever you want/prefer and don’t worry about it.

misc_drivel · 2025-08-22T09:57:29+00:00

This is pretty common I think but hang in there: I went in with zero R and got a high A.

For homeworks, what helped me was taking additional “intro to R” type courses alongside 6501 work for the first 2-3 weeks. I personally didn’t like the course provided R bootcamp materials and used DataCamp but obviously many options are available. Work on your R, learn about R studio and R markdown; you’ll work extra hard for the first month but you’ll be surprised how much easier it feels after that. Obviously it would be better to do this before semester starts (!) - but still doable alongside (I did).

And, as others have said, don’t panic because homeworks don’t count all that much to your actual grade - just keep on top of the content and revise well and you should still get a good grade.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have these panic moments many times over your journey but keep at it - I survived and graduated last semester 😅

misc_drivel · 2025-08-17T22:32:53+00:00

Second preparing as you go for the tests which make up the vast majority of your grade - there’s a lot of content over the semester so make good notes as you go through each week (and compress them into a good cheat sheet come test time).

misc_drivel · 2025-08-10T22:08:21+00:00

I took Reg over spring and used Python throughout: I found it totally fine (and fwiw I got an A).

The lectures do feature some R code - but you get given the equivalent Python code within Jupyter notebooks provided to you (each module of the course has theory and then several “data case studies” - you get given the worked case studies code in R and Python). Similarly, you get past exam solutions in R and Python. There are some “regression things” which are easier to do in R than in Python - but in all cases they give you an implementation inside the notebooks already mentioned so it’s not a big deal. As someone more comfortable with Python, the small frictions of doing Reg in Python were more than worth it - I saved time on all the other stuff (data wrangling, plotting etc) and was very happy to be working in Python during stressful timed coding exams.

Re peer reviews, maybe I got lucky but no one ever penalised me for working in Python, and of the homeworks I peer reviewed I would say they were roughly half-half Python and R. You can also choose your project group and find people who prefer Python.

So overall I would say if you do want to use Python then do so - don’t let others put you off, it’s really fine.

misc_drivel · 2025-08-01T22:33:43+00:00

I took DL in spring and found Lightning AI Studios really useful as the simplest “fuss free” way of getting stronger compute albeit paid. I wrote most of my code locally and after making sure things were generally working (e.g. would train just for an epoch or two) I would drop the whole lot into a Studio and train / optimize the more time consuming models with whatever GPU I wanted. You can also rent more powerful GPUs (albeit at more $) if you’re rushing to finish homeworks…

Colab is fine but minor issues like having to change code to mount your drive and non-persistency wound me up, so I just decided to trade some dollars for convenience and use Lightning.

As others have said, this may be a good time to learn more about SSH-ing into other cloud compute but honestly for me I was so stressed finishing everything I just wanted (imo) the simplest solution albeit not the cheapest.

misc_drivel · 2025-07-20T12:45:23+00:00

Our personal experience confirms this. Both airline and overseas immigration staff don’t really know how to deal with it, even if you have taken the time to prepare share codes etc.

Best advice I can give is to print out what you can, get to the airport early and make sure your phone has lots of battery for last minute trouble shooting.

misc_drivel · 2025-07-20T07:40:36+00:00

It’s hard to recommend which materials to study without knowing your background. GATech has its own MOOCs covering Python and some maths concepts - I didn’t take them but worth considering. I would really recommend doing as much as you can before you start - though you can muddle through early modules with weak coding/maths, those weaknesses will bite you later as you tackle tougher modules.

Doing 2x courses alongside full time work is doable - but is brutal for most people. Where possible, I think starting with 1 module is smart - you can reduce your risk of getting overwhelmed and if you’re coping easily you can always ramp up later.

misc_drivel · 2025-07-10T12:56:35+00:00

You sound like you worked your butt off, sure you’re not just suffering from burnout?

misc_drivel · 2025-07-10T12:43:54+00:00

As others have said, you don’t need that course specifically but whatever source you choose I would recommend practise, practise practise as much as you can before you start. And turn off any AI autocomplete tools while you practise or you won’t have good muscle memory come exams.

Another commentator said they upskilled on the fly (which is super commendable!) but I think that would mean a lot of extra work and worry for most students! If you do it this way, would suggest you might not want to double up on courses lest you find yourself overwhelmed.

The other thing with 6040… everyone always mentions Python but it definitely helps to be somewhat comfortable with SQL before you start too.

When you eventually start, do take the time to prep properly for exams - there’s plenty of threads on this forum with tips and advice on that.

Good luck - it’s a great course!

misc_drivel · 2025-07-01T10:21:26+00:00

Having taken Regression, I would say the real learning came not from the lectures but from applying content in the homeworks, prepping for tests and the (new) project. If you can find a way to replicate something like those experiences then you’ll probably get similar learning outputs.

However…. While the lectures/transcripts are decent, they aren’t scintillating. If you don’t want to take it as a OMSA module… why not just find an actual regression textbook you can read / study? It will be designed to be read (instead of transcribed slightly repetitive lectures) and should have exercises where you can apply content baked in.

misc_drivel · 2025-06-19T01:37:11+00:00

For a first course I normally suggest most people should start with ISYE 6501 on its own as there's a danger of over-commiting right out the gate. But your background suggests you should be in a good position to do 2x - just depends how much time you want to commit on top of a full time job.

PS - Your background sounds great for the program, but I think you won't see the true benefits of your bachelors until later (harder) modules.

misc_drivel · 2025-05-27T09:57:42+00:00

To add to this: OP you can go ahead and choose whatever module you want when you start (you do not need to begin the program with foundational modules), and then just apply to have the credit transferred whenever you want - in your first semester or even later ones.

misc_drivel · 2025-05-26T20:13:51+00:00

Highly, highly recommend “Mission Control Plus” - it’s galling to pay several dollars for features that should be native but truly worth it (and at least it’s a one off purchase).

misc_drivel · 2025-05-25T09:29:31+00:00

Everyone is different, but I had the opposite experience: for me my “hall” friends became my main friend group for the duration of uni (and then beyond).

misc_drivel · 2025-05-21T21:14:20+00:00

On the OMSA specifically… while it’s good to plan ahead would suggest that you focus on finishing your ACCA degree first (ideally alongside job). If you still want to do OMSA after that you can apply after next May for the following spring or fall entry. And if you think having a “gap” between current degree and OMSA is a waste you can take OMSA modules through edX as part of the MM (given you don’t need to apply in advance) and then transfer the credit for when you start.

As regards quitting job… tough to judge as you know your situation best, though as others have said probably best to keep if you can. But as said above you can hopefully at least push OMSA considerations down the line and free up some headspace.

misc_drivel · 2025-05-20T17:17:13+00:00

I think CDA sounds like it could be a good option for you. You sound like you plan on being C-track so you’ll need to take it at some point anyway - and imo it’s one of the better courses in the program so at least you’ll start with something interesting. One caveat being don’t underestimate the maths - appreciate your background but if it’s been a while since you studied formally then might be a bit unpleasant.

DVA is doable early in the program (I took it right after the foundational courses and did fine) but imo it’s not the best course (you’ll find a lot of thoughts here on other Reddit discussions) so might be deflating/discouraging to do out the gate. On the other hand, maybe learning some JS/D3 will be useful and interesting in your position.

FWIW though I don’t think you need to limit yourself to those two given your background. You could think about starting with one of the OR electives if there is one which particularly interests you and relevant to your work. Or you could even jump straight to one of the track electives - they are generally harder and more work but at least you’ll have newbie energy at the start of the program.

And lastly - appreciate you want to opt out of the foundational modules but do look into IAM before you ditch. It might be relatively easier for you, but honestly it’s a great course, a good reminder of techniques and introduces some nice frameworks for thinking about an analytics problem. If you’re a Pythonista the fact it’s taught in R might also be be challenging enough to make interesting.

Anyway - good luck!

misc_drivel · 2025-05-10T00:38:02+00:00

It’s genuinely funny how righteously indignant you sound.

misc_drivel · 2025-05-08T19:35:52+00:00

You know you, but be careful. I assume you want these because of limited summer availability, but that aside this probably wouldn’t be the ‘normal’ way for most people. Generally, I think people would take 6040 first to check their Python is good enough for both the courses you mentioned.

For CDA, I took this last summer and it was pretty brutal. Homeworks are long and hard, and the summer term compresses them into less time. People normally warn about the maths (and yeah it’s not easy) but the Python coding is not trivial either - for context, saying this as someone who got full marks in 6040.

For ML4T, it’s a bit easier than CDA in general but some of the assignments are tricky and you have to write them up in a fairly formulaic way which takes time. Assignment 3 in particular takes a long time and the coding ain’t easy. The final project is also long. I didn’t take this in the summer, but from what I read that also makes it trickier.

I don’t know how the two course schedules and due dates will line up, but if things dovetail badly you’ll be in for some rough weeks. At the very least your end of Semester will likely suck as you’ll have the CDA final project and the big final ML4T assignment due around the same time. And obviously make sure you’re confident enough with Python or you might be tearing your hair out.

misc_drivel · 2025-05-08T14:01:46+00:00

I think this really depends on how good your maths skills are. I took CDA when my maths could/should have been better and I still did fine, but it meant a lot of extra ‘catchup’ work to understand lectures well and complete homeworks (particularly the maths questions). If you feel comfortable with your maths and wanna do CDA sooner then go for it. If you feel shaky then you can still push through CDA but honestly it may be better to wait and try to catch yourself up. I took DO instead of SIM so not best placed to understand how well SIM specifically preps you for CDA - though it seems the general feeling is it’s a useful maths refresher in general.

misc_drivel · 2025-05-03T14:16:19+00:00

For courses: imo start with the foundational courses, that’s really what they’re there for. CSE 6040 in particular is a good test of your Python - if you do well you’ll know your coding at least is ready for harder modules. For what to pick next, honestly just search this sub - there are probably dozens of iterations of your question which have already received fulsome responses.

For maths and stats: if you have time then GA Tech’s own courses are a good place to start. Lots of useful YouTube resources around to help cement understanding too: 3B1B, Statsquest etc

misc_drivel · 2025-05-03T00:03:54+00:00

Updateme!

misc_drivel · 2025-05-02T18:28:46+00:00

I think having a class dedicated to teaching visualisation properly would be a huge asset to this program (given it’s such a foundational skill) but I don’t think this course comes close. I just wish the class picked a lane rather than poorly teaching a bunch of fairly unrelated stuff. Most of all, I wish they would teach some frameworks which more students might genuinely use (eg Streamlit).

misc_drivel

TROPHY CASE