UPenn vs USC vs Brown vs UChicago Data Analytics/Social Science

[Jas97]

I got my undergraduate degree in Journalism and Communication but hope to transition into the data analytic field, either in marketing or social policy, not 100% sure. Also might be interested in going to PhD later in life. So my concerns/deciding factors are: strong data analysis courses, flexibility in terms of employment/placement. All of them are STEM.  I would genuinely appreciate your opinions! I listed some of the pros and cons based on my research and interactions with the schools!

U Penn : MSSP+ DA (Accepted;9k funding)

+ The School of Social Policy has a long history and pretty good cohort size (50 MSSP students) hence good network?

+ The first school that admitted me and offered some scholarship..

The only school that I have attended an admitted student open house, feel like they really care about the students

- Location. I always wanted to move to California. Seems like most alumni went to DC or NY or Phiily

- Not sure how employable outside the policy field.(Anyone knows?)

 

USC : Communication Data Science (Accepted; no funding announced)

+ Good location. Good network opportunities and placement(at least from what they advertised)

- Professional program, most people ended up as market analyst or product manager,

 

Brown: Social Analysis and Research (Accepted; no funding)

- New program, not much info on over employment stats, or placement

- Curriculum is kind of limited although classes from other departments are open

 

U Chicago: MACSS (Waitlisted; waiting to hear back, top choice if accepted with funding)

+ Very strong and flexible curriculum; rigorous trainings

+ Close mentorship from professor

+ Most generous in terms of funding

+ Very academic heavy, sounds like the most workload

 

Columbia : QMSS (Haven't hear back, probably waitlisted as well)

Edited March 24, 2020 by Jas97

[mitochondria_1]

All of those university are excellent. I would say go to the one you like the most and the one that give you the most support economically and career wise. It looks like it would be between UPenn and UChicago. Hopefully you get accepted with funding at UChicago because it seems that that is your top university choice. 

[Jas97]

Thank you! I really hope there will be a spot open at UChicago. I just feel like the curriculum is a little bit intimidating/academic heavy, considering I plan to find a job after master instead of going to PhD right after.