The MSDS Program: 2018-2019 Year in Review

The end of the 2018-2019 academic year marks a threshold and invites a pause for reflection. It’s a great time to take stock of the year behind and look ahead.

It was an exciting year for the MSDS program! We received the largest number of applicants in our history, enrolled the biggest cohort to date, increased the percentage of women in the program, and placed alumni at leading companies. We are proud of our accomplishments, so we want to highlight everything the program achieved this year.

Admissions

First, the MSDS program received a record number of applicants. Nearly 900 students applied to join the MSDS program, reflecting an 18% increase in applicants from last year. With an acceptance rate of less than 12%, this year’s admissions cycle was the most selective ever. The MSDS program also enjoyed an unexpectedly high yield rate, with 58% of admission offers being accepted.

The incoming MSDS cohort is comprised of 62 bright students from across the country and around the world. The countries represented include Argentina, Chile, China, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

The incoming cohort also includes an increase in the number of women enrolled in the program. Fifty-eight percent of new students are women. The increase is a nod to the value the MSDS program places on diversity and inclusion.

Class of 2019

Dr. Adrian Dobra, the MSDS Program Chair, addresses the Class of 2019.

This year the MSDS program graduated its second class of alumni. The intimate ceremony was held on campus in the Intellectual House. Degrees were awarded to 41 MSDS students. Our graduates had much to celebrate. This year’s alumni have accepted job offers at leading companies, including Amazon, Boeing, eBay, Google, Facebook, Merck, Micron, Microsoft, Nordstrom, T-Mobile, Zillow, and more!

Based on a survey of this year’s alumni, the base salary range for MSDS graduates is $91,000 – $186,000, and the median base salary is $117,000. The most common job title for graduates of the full-time program is Data Scientist, while the most common job title for graduates of the part-time program is Senior Data Scientist.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

Summer Internships

Current MSDS students have much to celebrate, too! They secured summer internships at a record number of companies and not-for-profits throughout the Seattle area and beyond, including Allstate, Apple, Capitol One, Clobotics, Facebook, Fred Hutchinson, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Walmart, and more!

Faculty and staff look forward to hearing about students’ internship experiences when they return to campus in the fall.

Industry Advisory Board

Last, but not least, the MSDS program is excited about our new Industry Advisory Board. The board is comprised of esteemed data science experts from Amazon, Boeing, Google, HCL Technologies, Microsoft, and Seattle Children’s Hospital. They will help support program innovation and ensure that the MSDS degree remains cutting-edge and industry-relevant year after year.

Looking Ahead

As the program enters its fourth year, we look forward to achieving more milestones, and reaffirming our national reputation as a leading data science program. For a program that just finished its third year, we have built a flourishing student body and an impressive alumni community. We are committed to providing our students and alumni with the support they need to have rewarding and impactful careers in data science.

The U District

Seattle is a world-class city with more than 40 different neighborhoods, each with its own distinct charm. The University of Washington has called the U District neighborhood its home since 1893. An eclectic neighborhood of family-owned restaurants, as well as beautiful waterfront views and tree-lined streets, the U District is the neighborhood that many faculty and graduate students call home. Here are some of our favorite neighborhood spots:

The Ave

Located on University Way, “the Ave” is a popular gathering place, with lots of family-owned restaurants, indie eateries, and eclectic cafes. There are many wonderful spots to eat on the Ave, but local favorites include the Korean Tofu House, Café Solstice, and Little Thai.

U District Light Rail Station

The U District has a light rail station that runs from Husky Stadium through Capitol Hill and Downtown Seattle to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The light rail provides easy access to some of the most exciting and densely-populated neighborhoods in Seattle.

The Burke-Gilman Trail

The Burke-Gilman Trail is one of the most popular recreational trails in Seattle. This pathway stretches 19 miles through lots of neighborhoods, including the U District. If you take the trail, you will see an assortment of walkers, dog owners, runners, and cyclists enjoying views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains.

Husky Stadium

Husky Stadium might be the most picturesque stadium in American sports. The stadium overlooks scenic Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. Due to the stadium’s design, Husky Stadium has also been recognized as one of the loudest football stadiums in the country. The stadium’s metal roof and vertical stands project the crowd noise up and out for miles. Go Huskies!

University Village

Located just north of campus, the University Village is an open-air shopping center which offers a mix of trendy restaurants, clothing boutiques, ice cream shops, and more. It is a great place to grab lunch with friends and window shop.

Lake Washington

The University of Washington’s campus is located on Lake Washington. From fall through spring, students can use their Husky IDs to rent kayaks, canoes, and rowboats at a discounted rate. Paddle around the shores to view the area’s wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, herons, and other waterfowl.

Alumni Profile: Charles Duze

Part-Time Student, Class of 2019

Undergraduate: Syracuse University

Current Employer: Shopify

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in Benin City, Nigeria. At about 11 years old, I left home for the first time to go to a boarding school four hours away. Although extremely challenging at first, they were some of the best character-forming years of my life. About six years later, I left Nigeria to attend Syracuse University in New York. I completed my B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science at Syracuse University before attending the M.S. in Data Science program at the UW.

Why did you choose the M.S. in Data Science program at the UW?

At some point in my career, I stumbled upon the field of data science, although I didn’t know it at the time. After tinkering around with my self-taught knowledge, I decided to explore and learn more about data science. I took the 9-month UW Data Science Certificate program. It confirmed for me that this was the direction I wanted to go and left me with a burning desire to go deeper. Luckily, the M.S. in Data Science program checked most of my boxes. I wanted a reputable program from a renowned university that I could do part-time and in-person.

What was your favorite class? Why?

It is tough to pick just one. But since I have to, I would say Applied Statistics and Experimental Design with Dr. Brian Leroux. This class was very applicable to day-to-day work. Dr. Leroux broke down complex fundamental statistics concepts with a gentle and patient introduction. The quizzes and homework helped reinforce what we learned. There were two things I really appreciated: The first was that he held office hours late in the evening via conference call to accommodate the schedules of those with full-time jobs. You could tell he really wanted to be present and help students learn. The second was that he created customized materials for the class. These materials were so valuable and easy to understand that they were my study materials when I was interviewing for jobs.

What was your cohort experience like?

My cohort experience was great. Two and a half years of attending classes, study groups, and team projects and just struggling with homework problems together creates a special bond. Of course, the happy hours, when I could make them, helped too.

During your time in the program, you changed jobs – what role did the M.S. in Data Science program play in this transition?

The M.S. in Data Science program gave me the knowledge and confidence to take the leap and change jobs. The classes gave me the breadth and depth to be proficient not just with my former company’s tools and processes but any in the industry.

How has the M.S. in Data Science program shaped your future goals?

The M.S. in Data Science program accelerated my goals. I was already where I had planned to be post-graduation. For the immediate future, I plan to contribute, grow, lead and make an impact at Zillow. (Note: Charles has since moved on to a Data Science Manager role at Shopify.)

Outside of work, you are the founder and CEO of a nonprofit called LittleDrops Orphanage Fund, and you have a young family. Can you talk about balancing grad school, a full-time job, non-profit work and your personal life as a part-time student?

Balancing my various responsibilities, without dropping too many balls, was one of my toughest challenges. I don’t claim to have done it perfectly, but I think I did it well. It took a village and I am grateful to them. For LittleDrops, I was lucky to find an amazing part-time staff member who always went above and beyond. At home, my wife was very supportive, and my kids were more forgiving and patient than they had to be. I tried to make it up and play catch-up whenever I could. Overall, it took a lot from me and them. It was a challenging journey, but it was definitely worth it.

A Rainy Day in Seattle

Seattle is known for many things – the Space Needle, coffee, evergreens, and rain in the winter. However, in a city that embraces its notorious weather, there are plenty of ways you can explore the city, even when it is a little wet outside. Here are our five favorite things to do on a rainy day in Seattle:

Experience the vibrant coffee scene. Seattle is a city of coffee lovers! Quaint coffee shops line the streets. A few local favorites include Lighthouse Roasters, Café Allegro, and Slate Coffee Roasters. Or you can have the ultimate coffee experience at one of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Rooms.
Tour the museums. Seattle has dozens of museums to choose from that suit just about all interests. The Seattle Art Museum and Chihuly Glass and Garden are excellent choices for art lovers. Or explore Seattle’s history at the Nordic Heritage Museum or the Museum of Flight. Looking for something more eclectic? The Museum of Pop Culture has an impressive collection of iconic music memorabilia.
Wander around Pike Place Market. Visit Pike Place Market and you can pass hours exploring local produce, seafood, baked goods, coffee, a record store, art, restaurants, and more. The mini doughnuts at Daily Dozen Doughnuts are a local favorite.
Sip a pint at a brewery. There are nearly 200 breweries in Seattle – the most of any city in the U.S. Some of our favorite breweries are Fremont Brewing, Elysian Brewing, Reuben’s Brews, and Georgetown Brewing Company.
Check out the gaming scene Seattle has a vibrant gaming culture, home to over 300+ game companies and the largest concentration of videogame developers in the country. Seattle hosts some of the largest gaming conventions in world, with over 70,000 gamers attending PAX West each year. Board gaming meetups and stores abound, including some like Mox Boardinghouse where customers can try board games for free while enjoying food in the cafe.

First-Generation Graduate Students

Every student who begins graduate school for the first time is faced with challenges. They encounter a new community of people and rigorous academic expectations. For first-generation graduate students, there are often added challenges and struggles. A first-generation graduate student is someone who is in the first generation of their family to earn a bachelor’s degree and is now pursuing a graduate degree. Common challenges that first-generation graduate students may encounter include imposter syndrome, self-doubt, feelings of isolation, or uncertainty.

To our first-generation applicants, we know many of you face uncertainty about graduate school, and that you may soon find yourselves navigating graduate school without the benefit of guidance from parents who made the same journey. If you are a first-generation student, we are thrilled that you are considering the M.S. in Data Science program at the University of Washington, and we are proud to support our first-generation students in making the most of their graduate school experience. Here is advice to keep in mind as you begin your graduate student journey:

Know that you are not alone. First-generation graduate students often report feelings of isolation. But you are not alone – 21 percent of graduate students at the University of Washington identify as first-generation. The First-Gen Initiative at Core Programs is dedicated to fostering a sense of community among first-generation graduate students. Interested in getting to know other first-generation students? You can attend one of their events!
Fight imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome, the feeling of not belonging in academia, is common among graduate students, especially those who are first-generation. When you are surrounded by peers who have impressive credentials, it can be very easy to feel that you somehow do not fit in with your cohort. Do not lose sight of your own accomplishments!
Acknowledge your strengths. First-generation graduate students have strengths to draw on. Being the first in your family to graduate from college demonstrates persistence, grit, commitment, passion, and the ability to overcome circumstance. All of these strengths are useful to students as they navigate graduate school.
Find your people. Connecting with people who share your experiences based on your identities or shared interests can decrease feelings of isolation and help you maintain a healthy perspective. This might look like joining an intramural sport, volunteering at a local organization, playing board games or video games with friends, or spending time at the Q Center, Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, or Student Veteran Life.
Make time for yourself. Do not feel guilty when you take time for yourself. Make room in your schedule to go to the gym, cook a meal, spend time outdoors, or watch a movie – do something that brings you joy!