What Students Say?
Likes
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the leading universities in the USA with exemplary Statistics and Computer Science Departments. The course I have opted for (i.e.) Data Science is a joint program offered by these departments which is essentially the best of both worlds!
- The University of is amazing and is one of the best for Computer Science and Statistics. The Facilities offered to the students are world-class and there are a lot of programs and events happening to help facilitate students.
Dislikes
- There is nothing that I dislike about the university but the climate of Madison might be a deterrent for potential admits. It is quite random in the early summer months and gets very cold in the winter.
The overall experience at this university has been transformative. It encompasses academic learning, personal growth, and the formation of lifelong friendships. Engaging lectures, diverse extracurricular activities, and exposure to different perspectives contribute to a well-rounded education. The university experience fosters independence, critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Course Curriculum
The course curriculum is quite comprehensive and is up to date with what is expected in the industry!
Exams
My Scores: GRE 305/340; TOEFL 105/120; GRE Requirements are Optional for the University and TOEFL Requirement is 90+. A Statement of Purpose is required by the university with no specifications; 2 LORs are necessary; A well-rounded CV is also required with ample projects, certifications, at least 1 publication, and a good GPA. There were no rounds of interviews nor university-specific tests.
Placement
Post-Study Placement opportunities are amazing at Wisconsin-Madison with many alumni getting placed at reputed companies!
Internship
I have not started applying for internships or co-ops as of now!
Fees
The Estimated Tuition for an MS in Data Science is 46000 USD with additional charges towards Student Health Insurance.
Faculty
The Faculty to Student ratio is pretty good, especially with respect to Statistics courses where class strength is no more than 20 students! The faculty and staff are very approachable and knowledgeable in the respective domains. Professor Michel J. Ferris teaches the Introduction of Optimization course for me and he has a knack of explaining concepts in an easy and understandable manner!
Campus Life
Campus life is absolutely amazing with so many things to do on campus like club activities, international student events, technical events, and so on. There are two incredible recreational centers inside campus equipped with courts, swimming pools and multi-floor gyms. Inside the campus, UWNet is a free Wifi that is provided which is very quick and the signal is great throughout the campus!
Hostel
University Housing is the best option but it needs to be booked well in advance as it tends to fill up very fast. Otherwise, get apartments that are close to the bus line so that travel is very easy and ensure you are not overpaying for the place you are staying in. Most importantly, get on a video call with the apartment/house owner and ask them to do a video tour of the house so that you get a proper idea of what you are getting! Ideally, the rent range you should be paying in Madison is around 500 to 700 USD. Anything over that is costly when it comes to sharing a house. Taking individual accommodation is not ideal as it is pretty costly and most Studio Apartments cost upward of 1,000 USD per month.
