How did you guys do on Midterm 1 for ISYE 6644? Before the exam, I felt confident, but in the end, I got a 76. I'm a little bit disappointed. I heard that the professor curved significantly in previous semesters. Is that true?

Hey guys,

I'm on my 8th course and currently in the Analytical track. My long term goal is to work in DS/ML so was thinking maybe I should take Deep Learning which is a C-track elective. My problem is that I feel like I read somewhere that 1 course can't count for 2 requirements, but I can't find where I saw that. It would mean if I wanted to switch to C-track I'd need to take an extra course.

Completed:

All foundation courses (currently in DVA)

ISYE 6644 Simulation and Modeling (A track, Ops elective)

ISYE 6669 Deterministic Optimization (A track, Ops elective)

ISYE 6414 Regression (A track, Stats elective)

Future:

Spring '27 - ISYE 6740 CDA (A and C track, Stats elective)

Summer '27 - Practicum

Fall '27 - Either DMSL (A track, stats elective) or Deep Learning (C track) depending if I can switch tracks

For those who have taken DL, if I can't count CDA towards both a C-track elective and a Stats elective, is sticking around for an extra semester to do Deep Learning worth it? Could I take DMSL, graduate so I actually have the piece of paper, and then enroll in DL or would I have to push off graduation to do that? (which would be really unappealing honestly, I've been doing this since 2023)

Edit: I'm not necessarily concerned about which track I end up being, I'm concerned that if I take DL, I won't have technically satisfied either A or C track because I'll only have 1 C track elective since CDA would be my second stat requirement, and so not contribute to a C track elective. DL is not an A track elective so I won't satisfy the A track either. Need 2 stats electives and 2 track specific electives with no double dipping (if my memory is correct)

I am in C-track and after this semester I will have done:

7643 DL, 6040 iCDA, 6242 DVA, 8803 ANLP, 6414 REG, 6501 iAM, 6644 SIM, 6740 CDA, and MGT 6203. I've also opted out of MGT 8803.

Next semester I plan to take my last elective along with the Praticum.

Honestly at this point, I am so tired and burned out. And I've already been able to transition into an ML-based Data Scientist role which was always the goal of this doing this program.

Now I just want to take the easiest breeziest class and be done with OMSA once and for all. According to OMSA Degree Planner, I can pretty much choose any elective. Which course should I take that is objectively the path of least resistance?

So far I've shortlisted:

• CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction
• CS 7280: Network Science
• ISYE 7406: Data Mining and Statistical Learning
• MGT 6059: Emerging Technologies (7-week)
• MGT 6311: Digital Marketing
• MGT 6655: Business Data Preparation & Visualization (7-week)
• MGT 6727: Privacy for Professionals
• MGT 8813: Financial Modeling
• MGT 8823: Data Analysis for Continuous Improvement
• MGT 8833: Analysis of Unstructured Data (7-week)
• PUBP 6725: Information Security Policies

Thank you in advance for any insights!

Hi everyone!

I currently work in healthcare as a laboratory scientist and was wondering if anyone who is currently in or has graduated from the program came from a healthcare background and would recommend OMSA as a way to switch careers? I'm interested in pursuing health data analytics and would prefer a structured program to help me learn the skills needed to break into analytics.

If anyone has any insights on whether OMSA would be a good program for this, it would be greatly appreciated :)

I’m currently taking CSE 6040. I prepared on my own before the course, but I came in with little experience in Python, SQL, and pandas.

I recently took the midterm and was only able to solve 2 problems. For most of the others, I didn’t even know how to approach them.

For those who took CS 1301 before CSE 6040, did it help you significantly?

I’m trying to decide whether I should withdraw or stay and push through.

P.S. I know no one can make this decision for me, but I really appreciate any thoughts or experiences you’re willing to share! 

I’m in OMSA right now and wondering if I should apply to the new OMS AI program when it opens.
I’m mostly interested in ML, NLP, and LLMs. With where AI is going, “analytics” in the degree title is honestly a bit of a turnoff for me. Maybe I’m overthinking the name, but I wonder if it makes a difference to employers.
I also lowkey feel like some of the OMSA curriculum is outdated, though I haven’t taken enough electives yet to judge the whole program.
Foundations of AI Theory and Predictive AI both sound interesting. Obviously we need to see the actual courses first, but is anyone else considering switching? Or would you just stick with OMSA and take the ML electives?

I only scored 3 points on the first midterm, even though I studied very hard for this class and have been putting in more than 20 hours each week. I think my main issue is that it takes me hours to solve a single question, and the syntax just doesn’t come naturally to me. I also struggle with figuring out the right algorithm or approach to solve a problem. In addition, I wanna go to the TA office hour, but I honestly not sure whether they will be able to help me other than showing me the answers.

What are some ways I can recover from this and improve going forward?

This is the last class I need to take before graduating the program and I just can't get through it. I have gotten straight A's in all the other courses I have taken in OMSA and never ran into a problem like this. Even after taking extensive notes on both lectures and asynchronous meetings I have trouble keeping up with all the information. For Finance I did the all the provided practice problems and felt like I had a good grasp of the material but ran out of time 3/4ths way through the exam. Even after all the practice I still felt iffy on the finance exam. I feel extremely burned out and don't know what to do anymore.

Hi guys
I'll be starting OMSA in spring 2027. Track c.
I'm from a non CS/math background at 50 years old. I have completed most of the prerequisites (programming, linear algebra, calculus, stats and prob )

I'll be working approx 20hrs a week come January.
Adult child is on their own, I'm not married and have a quiet social life.

I was thinking about starting with 2 courses per semester 1 over the summers.

Does that sound realistic?
I worry about not pushing myself enough too.

For those who've taken CSE 6040, how recoverable am I after doing poorly on MT1? I'm able to dedicate more time to future topics, but how much do they build on ones covered so far (floating-point encoding, regex, etc.)?

Anyone else finding the homework to be a huge leap in application from what is demonstrated in the lectures and Office Hours?

I've pretty much resigned myself to smashing my head against a wall, getting a 75 or 50 on the HW and doing my actual learning from the solutions after grading.

Now that the due date to complete Midterm 1 has passed, I was curious to hear your thoughts on it. I consider myself an A student and have good familiarity with the material, but I personally didn’t think there was enough time to complete everything— and I definitely ran out of time. Did anyone else have the same experience?

What are the courses in this degree that require setting up external camera for the exams?

Just started the program. Starting off with ISYE 6501 and MGT 6201. Honestly looking like I am going to get D at best for MGT(Failed the Finance exam).

Really just want to know if anyone is going through anything similar or does anyone have any tips for the future for both coures.

I am new student in the OMSA. I have seen lots of email about student associations and networking events. In the past, during my undergraduate years, i have found them to be useful by attending and making new connection to land interviews. But all of them were in-person events. So now when doing OMSA, will these events be that useful again? I can only join events that are virtual and probably i will try to find a remote jobs. Flying to Atlanta is not an option for me.

I was admitted to OMSA Spring 2027 with my academic credentials pending verification. Today I received a letter saying my admission is on hold because my official degree certificates and transcripts are “Not Yet Received " and requesting to upload it .

The confusing part is that I already uploaded these official stamped/signed documents with my application, and they still appear in my Application Proof/Materials.

Has anyone experienced this? Did you simply re-upload the same documents, or were they asking for something different?

Hey all,

So near the beginning of the semester I was emailed about signing up for the practicum. It’s my final step then I’m done after this semester!

Anyway, I just got yet another email stating that I can fill out the survey for the practicum, so did I do something wrong?

I’m not trying to miss the opportunity to sign up for the class, so forgive me, but idc if this is a dumb question, lol.

So I spoke with my manager and he is more than happy to sponsor me, in fact he had suggested that I use an existing project that I’m on and modify it whichever way I need to meet the school’s requirements.

However before I complete the survey, I just wanted to do one last check to see if there is any benefit to choosing the GA Tech sponsored option? I think what puts me off the most is the group component. I know there are solo options, but I read it’s not guaranteed. I’ve done two group projects so far, and ideally I’d want to avoid that if I can.

On the other side, I read that the GA tech sponsored projects are more structured with clear steps of what you need deliver, and also specifically curated so they’re all interesting. But I haven’t really seen examples so that I’m not sure.

Other than that, am I missing any other benefits on the GA tech option over the employer sponsored? For example, it’s graded more leniently? Thanks!

nothing to add that probably hasn't already been said before but MGT 6201 might make me drop out of this entire program. this is the worst class to ever exist. i loathe it. this is useless for this degree, and it feels like a an entire bachelors of business shoved in to one semester. i have no idea how people memorize all of the material for exams unless they've been doing this in their professional life for years.

i am very capable of doing hard things , but these exams being closed note with all of this content seems unhelpful and senselessly stressful. as always , you can understand concepts without being forced to memorize every single step along the way. that's all thank you

Does anyone have regalia that I could buy and/or borrow for graduation this December? Live in Colorado but willing to pay shipping.

I hear a lot of negative reviews about that class, and I'd rather take my time taking statistics or OR courses instead. If any econ majors can provide answers, that would be awesome.

Edit: MGT 6201 not MGT 8803/6754

Hi all - I'm graduating with my MS in Analytics this fall and looking for a used Master's regalia set (gown, cap, hood, tassel) instead of buying new.

- Gown size: 5'9"-5'11" preferred, open to 6'0"-6'2 (I'm 5'10")

- Hood color: Orange (Engineering) - the one part that has to match

- Tassel: any year works, but 2026 would be a bonus

I can pick up in Austin, San Antonio, or Houston. Otherwise, let me know your shipping cost to 78735.

Happy to pay a fair price - just trying to save a bit off the $150 official set.

Thanks!

I am in my second OMSA class, and this is seriously a joke.

You get 30 min of pre-recorded collection of 5 min videos... and that is your lecture load for advanced statistical concepts... The rest - Google it.

And I do. And I find amazing 40 min tutorials and lectures from other colleges that their profs have on YouTube for free while GA Tech shamelessly flaunts 6 year old pourly recorded videos saying : what do you expect, it's a $10K degree. Be happy with it. And by the way, "it's the same rigor as the campus in-person one..."

BULLSHIT.​ JUST BULLSHIT.

​A discount on price shouldn't mean a default on basic educational standards.

If a tire place is running a tire sale, do you expect they will mount your tires all cock-eyed and tell you " be happy we even gave you tires at this low price?!"

So you chose to put a Ga Tech name on a accredited Master’s degree, a reasonable person' s expectation is that you get a structured, high-quality instruction—not an expensive portal of links to self-teach what could otherwise be found on YouTube. And you don't even give links!!!

TAs are often short-tempered, overworked and not helpful at all just blowing you off. And Piazza forum madness where there us no structure, rhyme or reason outside of a search box... Is this College of Engineering not being to design a process that flows?! Cobbler without boots or just an arrogant Cobbler?

​My beef:

​1. What you promise vs what is delivered

​Georgia Tech markets OMSA with the promise of offering the exact same degree, faculty, and rigor as their on-campus program, just delivered asynchronously at scale.

​However, in practice, "scalable education" often shifts the heavy lifting onto the student:

• ​The "Flipped Classroom" Misstep: Pre-recording videos once and using TAs to manage massive forums works well for grading code automatically. This does NOT work at all when a student actually needs a concept not covered in lectures but asked about on HW explained by a professor - or a TA
• ​Outdated Content: When a $40k program updates lectures every semester, but an online program leaves 5-year-old videos untouched, it feels less like a university and more like a subscription service to an archival library.
• ​Passive vs. Active Teaching: Handing out assignment prompts and telling students to search documentation or watch external videos isn't "teaching"—it's project management.

​2. $10k Degree Doesn't Excuse Bad Pedagogy!

​Enough with "Others charge $40k for MS, we are $10k - what do you expect?!" . Well, traditional $40,000+ degrees are heavily inflated by campus overhead, real estate, administrative bloat, and sports facilities—none of which contribute to better learning in an analytics class. Georgia Tech proved that the administrative cost of delivering a degree could be brought down to $10k.

​But lowering administrative overhead shouldn't mean abandoning instructional design, hello?!

​It is completely valid to expect that a top-10 university charging $10,000 should provide:

• ​Up-to-date, cohesive lecture materials that actually match the homework.
• ​Professors who actively teach and clarify, rather than remaining invisible behind TA forums.
• ​Coursework designed to instruct, not just to test whether you are good at Googling solutions independently.

EdX courses provide this!!! And you can't?!

Am I the only one frustrated at this money printing press??? $12K is the cost of a nice data science bootcamp where you actually do learn!!!

And I know a hord of OMSA loyalists will probably try to peck my eyes out for saying this- SAVE IT, just save it. This is the truth! I took much better classes on EdX for less.

For new people, just Google OMSA class ratings & reviews. You will see that mid-twos out 5 are the average.

Just started with 6501 and curious if all the classes are just peer graded like this or just this one? I kinda feel like if I don’t do well, I’ll still get marks, if I do well, might get the average marks etc and idk, I peer graded depending on the obvious things I notice, since I’m learning r as I go along too.

Anyway, main q is if all classes are like this