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My Top 5 Favorite Things About the MSDS Residential Program
As a student in the M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) program at the University of Virginia (UVA), I've been incredibly impressed by the supportive and collaborative atmosphere. The professors are approachable and genuinely invested in our success, and the program offers a wide range of opportunities for professional development. From the personalized guidance of our career advisors to the hands-on experience of the capstone project, I feel well-equipped to launch my data science career. Read on for more insights.
Approachable Professors
One of the things I like most about the MSDS program at UVA is how approachable and supportive the professors are. They genuinely go out of their way to help us grasp the material and feel confident in what we’re learning. Dr. Prince Afriyie, the MSDS Residential program director, is a great example. He not only taught our summer course on Linear Models for Data Science but has remained actively involved with our cohort ever since. He even organizes weekly coffee hours, where small groups of students can sit down with him and chat about anything, from coursework to career advice. These informal meetups have been a great way to connect with him and discuss broader topics beyond the classroom.
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Other professors in the program are just as dedicated. Many hold regular office hours, sometimes even during their lunch breaks, and some reserve conference rooms for students to work through homework or lecture questions. One professor even sends out weekly surveys to gather feedback from students, ensuring the lectures and assignments are hitting the mark and adjusting where needed. This constant communication and effort to improve the student experience makes the program feel truly collaborative and supportive.
Amazing Career Support
I also appreciate how supportive the Career Center has been in guiding us through the job search process. Stephanie Joynes, the Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, has been an incredible resource. She’s helped with everything from resume reviews to navigating the hiring timeline, and she’s always flexible when it comes to scheduling time to meet with us, which is super helpful with our busy schedules. She also pointed us to the Career Launchpad in the Student Affairs Community Portal, which is our go-to spot for resume and cover letter tips, as well as advice on technical, behavioral, and case interviews. It’s been a huge help in staying organized and prepared.
Reggie Leonard, the Associate Director of Career Connections and Community Engagement, has also done amazing work for the students. One of the highlights was the Northern Virginia Networking Social, held at Amazon’s Arlington, VA center, which brought together current MSDS students (from both the residential and online programs), along with recent alumni. It was a fantastic opportunity to build connections within the MSDS community.
On top of that, there are more events in the pipeline, like a panel with data science leaders in Charlottesville and an alumni networking event in New York City, both of which will be great for expanding our professional networks even further.
Flexible and Manageable Schedule
I’m really happy with the fall semester schedule so far. While I know the MSDS residential schedule will change for the upcoming cohort, I wanted to share my experience to give prospective students an idea of how manageable it is, even with the program's demands. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we have Foundations of Computer Science, followed by either Ethics of Big Data or our Capstone prep course, depending on the day. I find this structure to be effective and enjoyable. I love those M/W/F classes because they're genuinely enjoyable!
Tuesdays and Thursdays are all about Bayesian Machine Learning and Statistical Learning, and while those days can stretch a bit longer—especially with our extended lunch break—it gives our cohort a chance to recharge and connect.
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The flexibility of the schedule has been a huge advantage; it’s opened up opportunities for me to serve as an Admissions Student Ambassador. Plus, working as a grader for DS5100 Programming for Data Science has seamlessly fit into my study routine, making it easier to balance everything.
I’m also stepping into the role of events and activities chair for the Graduate Data Science Council. We’ve just kicked things off, and I have to admit that my enthusiasm can sometimes lead me to take on more than I should! Still, I’m genuinely excited about the opportunities this role brings and optimistic that I’ll refine my time management skills as the semester progresses. Overall, I’m enjoying my involvement this semester and feel good about how I’m balancing my commitments.
Comprehensive Capstone Overview
Another thing I’ve been impressed with is the capstone selection process. Right now, we’re in a one-credit prep course that’s designed to set us up for success when we dive into the semester-long capstone project in the spring. The course is very intentional—it’s teaching us how to ask the right questions to stakeholders and how to work as a team with our capstone group. One of the best parts so far has been receiving the capstone abstract book, which is a 44-page guide that gives us a detailed breakdown of all the projects, their objectives, and the data we’ll be working with.
The range of capstone sponsors this year is great, too! They come from industries like transportation, medicine, entertainment, and sports, so there’s something for everyone. We also had a well-organized Sponsor Open House, where we got the chance to chat with project representatives, ask questions, and get a feel for the projects before submitting our top choices at the end of week four. By week five, we’ll be matched with our capstone projects and ready to start working on our project proposals.
Holistic Student Support
The last standout feature I’ll share about the residential program is the incredible support we receive from the school, especially through Student Affairs. They’ve been an amazing resource, always eager to hear our feedback about the program and genuinely interested in how we’re managing our coursework. It’s refreshing to see such an emphasis on student input; the program actively seeks our thoughts through surveys and is committed to making improvements based on our experiences. I appreciate their dedication to creating an inclusive student-centered environment.
What’s even more impressive is their focus on mental health and well-being. They’re in the process of hiring an on-site Counseling and Psychiatry specialist from UVA's Student Health and Wellness Center, which is a game-changer for us. Having a residential counselor available exclusively for School of Data Science students shows a proactive commitment to supporting us as we navigate both academic pressures and personal challenges.
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Additionally, Student Affairs has helped students get involved in intramural sports, providing a great outlet for those looking to let loose and have some fun. This unprecedented initiative truly reflects how much the program cares about our overall well-being and success, making it a place where we can thrive both academically and personally.
