MS DS Georgetown vs MA Computational Social Science UChicago

[wolfski41]

Hi everyone,

 

I am an international student accepted to these two programs for Fall 2020. I am struggling to decide which one to go.

1. Georgetown's MS in Data Science and Analytics program (no financial aid, $70k total for 1.5 years)

2. UChicago's MA in Computational Social Science program (interdisciplinary focus) (2/3 financial aid, $40k total after aid for 2 years).

My goal after graduation is to find a data scientist position in consulting/tech industry. I plan to work for a few years in the U.S. first, and then apply to PhD in social science (business, public policy) down the road. (I am interested in the research of the social causes and impact of innovation in the private tech sector).

 

Reason for Georgetown:

1. A data science masters degree will lead to higher income and better job prospect than an MA in Computational Social Science.

2. I currently work in D.C. and have established network here. I personally like D.C. more than Chicago. And the job market at D.C. will be better than the market at Chicago.

 

Reason for UChicago:

1. cheaper tuition ($40k for 2 years vs $70k for 1.5 year)

2. My long term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in social science, hence MA in Computational Social Science is more relevant in the long run.

3. the teaching quality at the program in UChicago will be significantly higher than that at Georgetown. (1/3 of courses at DS program at Georgetown are taught by adjunct faculty).

4. 40 students cohort at UChicago's program vs 80+ student cohort at Georgetown. And the academic background of student cohort at UChicago's program will be higher than those at Georgetown.

 

I really appreciate advice and insight into these two programs. Thank you!

 

Edited March 10, 2020 by wolfski41

[GradSchoolGrad]

On 3/10/2020 at 1:48 PM, wolfski41 said:

Hi everyone,

 

I am an international student accepted to these two programs for Fall 2020. I am struggling to decide which one to go.

1. Georgetown's MS in Data Science and Analytics program (no financial aid, $70k total for 1.5 years)

2. UChicago's MA in Computational Social Science program (interdisciplinary focus) (2/3 financial aid, $40k total after aid for 2 years).

My goal after graduation is to find a data scientist position in consulting/tech industry. I plan to work for a few years in the U.S. first, and then apply to PhD in social science (business, public policy) down the road. (I am interested in the research of the social causes and impact of innovation in the private tech sector).

 

Reason for Georgetown:

1. A data science masters degree will lead to higher income and better job prospect than an MA in Computational Social Science.

2. I currently work in D.C. and have established network here. I personally like D.C. more than Chicago. And the job market at D.C. will be better than the market at Chicago.

 

Reason for UChicago:

1. cheaper tuition ($40k for 2 years vs $70k for 1.5 year)

2. My long term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in social science, hence MA in Computational Social Science is more relevant in the long run.

3. the teaching quality at the program in UChicago will be significantly higher than that at Georgetown. (1/3 of courses at DS program at Georgetown are taught by adjunct faculty).

4. 40 students cohort at UChicago's program vs 80+ student cohort at Georgetown. And the academic background of student cohort at UChicago's program will be higher than those at Georgetown.

 

I really appreciate advice and insight into these two programs. Thank you!

 

No brainer... go to Harris. Georgetown doesn't exactly have strong relationships with consulting and tech firms (except for Deloitte... but as a front line consultant). When you are done with Chicago... I can refer you to consulting or tech firms to work for . I won't be able to do that for Georgetown. 

Edited April 3, 2020 by GradSchoolGrad

[wolfski41]

Thank you for your advice. UChicago's MA in Computational Social Science is in the Divison of Social Science, not in Harris Public Policy School though. Does school name play such a big influence on job prospect? Even though I feel that I will learn more advanced data science techniques at Georgetown than at UChicago because of the difference in curriculum.