r/OMSA

I’m currently on my 9th course in OMSA and doing the A-track. Been applying to Data Science, Analytics, Forecasting, and almost anything analyst related, but honestly no luck so far 😢
Been a month and half , Applied to almost 250 jobs already and most of them either say “we decided to move with another candidate” or just completely ghost me. Not even a single interview yet.

This is really starting to hit me mentally because I came from different background (Transportation Engineering) and switched into Analytics. I really worked hard in this program and now I’m close to finishing, but seeing rejection or silence every single day is becoming exhausting.🥲🥲

For people who successfully switched from a completely different field into Analytics/DS, how did you do it? What strategy actually worked for you?
For context: I’m On A-track(took HDDA, Bayesian, Sim, etc.) and a Us Citizen.

Is the market really this bad right now or am I doing something wrong? Would genuinely appreciate advice from people who went through similar transition.
Thank you all ❤️

I posted several months ago early in the semester (Spring 2026) about how awful this class was…well it did suck. The first exam was nearly impossible got a 1/12 on it. The 2nd exam I got a 100 but that’s because I already knew SQL coming in (this exam saved me). The final I ended up with a 9/15 and therefore will end the class with a 79%. I am hopeful that they will curve but either way just wanted to give some context before I give my final thoughts.

Final thoughts:
This class is very difficult, if you do not have a coding background you will suffer (I only knew SQL and a little pandas). Also if you do not have a disciplined mindset to study and practice you will fail. This isn’t a class you can just hope to use the google AI for or try and cheat because they have revamped the questions and exams in such a manner that you really cannot cheat or use google AI. Like if you compare the first years exams to the most recent you will see its drastically changed. The final was a crazy eye opener seeing so many debugging questions (which honestly in a world with AI this is how the exams should be). My assumption is that going forward they probably will make exams purely debugging (be warned debugging wasn’t easy in any sense in my opinion those questions were harder than actual coding questions).

Overall do not take this class lightly. If I wasn’t already 8 courses deep before this class I would have probably quit the masters program all together because of this class. Needless to say I am now done with my 9th class I have 8 As and well whatever grade gets posted for this class (pray they curve it to a B)

Lowkey just wanna say thanks to Sp26 all my 6501 peers for the best comments on my all HWs like y’all said you actually learned from my explanations and enjoyed them, which means a lot fr coming from a non-coder who was grinding 35+ hrs (some weeks way more) a week just to keep up. Really wish I could thank you all personally if I knew who you were!

Anyone sign up for classes in the fall yet? I thought I read on the calendar we’re supposed to register for classes around this time

https://preview.redd.it/8rfkcoggwrzg1.png?width=660&format=png&auto=webp&s=c336bb8478dee94dcb9a9def409cdeb9ba19d304

So I was just on canvas 2 hours prior, cramming to take my final due tonight at midnight. I get ready to login, and now this happens.

Am I screwed with a 0 for the final, for waiting until the last minute?

Hi

For the ISYE 6644 Simulation course, how are the teams formed for the project work?

At first, I questioned the value of this degree given the number of people that graduate each year, and the fact that it was online vs. in person. This degree truly is "what you put into it is what you get out of it." You can use the pain matrix to take the easiest combination of courses or only take courses that you already have extensive previous knowledge in (i.e. if you took R classes in undergrad, taking regression and data mining will be a breeze). However, if you challenge yourself, you can learn a lot.

After completion of the practicum, I started looking for new employment, but I also approached my employer with my more-refined skills and secured a 23% pay raise which basically means this course will have paid for itself in about 5 months. Thanks Georgia Tech and to the MSA community.

Going for the A-track, but with focus more on practice, with theory only where it is necessary.

I've just finished iAM and iCDA, and have DAB lined up for the summer. (Formally enrolling in the Fall.)

iCDA was easy because I already knew python; I spent all my time polishing the iAM homeworks and really enjoyed it. I couldn't have taken on any more, because I tend to spend a lot of time on open-ended stuff like that.

I'm decently comfortable with math, but do need to review some Probability/Statistics and Linear Algebra over the summer.

Here's what I'm thinking; does this plan look workable?

Semester	Courses	Reasoning (Updated after discussions)
FA 2026	REG + CDA	REG is required for TSA and DMSL. CDA to solidify understanding of all the models.
SP 2027	TSA + DMSL	TSA because I want a proper time series course. DMSL because redditors say it teaches how to select which models to use and how to put them together in a workflow -- likely practical information for the Practicuum.
SU 2027	FOB + learn D3.js	No business background; FOB might be heavy for me. Better take the compressed version in the summer. Also need to leave some room for family/vacation.
FA 2027	DVA	by itself, as recommended. Also, research Practicuum options.
SP 2028	Practicum + SIM?	I want to make the most of the Practicum, never mind the grading. Summer might be too compressed. Could I still do SIM alongside, considering Practicum is worth 2?
SU 2028	Bayes + job-hunting	Bayes is useful, and I read it's better learned by doing the homeworks in this course.

I'm also interested in DO, DL, ... but at some point I need to start job-hunting!

Lol I have a 4.0 going the computational route. Taking MGT 6203 this semester and got caught out on the last homework only being due one week after the one before (every other homework was spaced out two weeks)

Also happened early in the semester when I didn’t notice there was a part 2 to each homework and I completely didn’t get the second part turned in

Making a B in the easiest class of the program but I just have to take it on the chin because of my own tomfoolery 😅

I'm in EdX MicroMasters, was wondering what you guys think would be a good course to start with, since I'll have it compressed in the Summer? 6203 or 6501?

What I'm thinking...
Summer '26: 6203 (since I read on Reddit there are no exams (?))
Fall '26: 6501
Spring '27: 6040

Some background about me:
Senior product professional working in a consulting role at a S&P 500 client, 100% working from home, no kids but do have aging parents that have recently needed more help + in a new marriage (sharing so you can estimate my time commitment). Industrial engineering undergrad (have gotten A's or B's in Adv Stat, Beginner Programming Principles, Operations Research, etc.) however have a 2.67 GPA (had some personal problems in my life when i was in college - my transcript clearly shows an "All A's/B's, all F's, then all A's/B's" trajectory - hoping admissions will see that).

I was thinking to apply to the program for a Fall 2027 start in the midst of 6501 (in Fall 2026), since I've heard earlier applications have a higher chance of admission, but I'm also not sure if I should apply after completing a tougher class like 6501 to prove that I can do it. Would love some thoughts on this as well! Please and thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m considering OMSA and noticed some comments saying many courses rely on older pre‑recorded lectures. For those who have graduated recently or are close to finishing, I’d love to hear your perspective.

Do you feel the course content reflects current industry trends, especially with how quickly AI, ML, and data roles are evolving? Were the assignments, tools, and concepts aligned with what you’re seeing in the job market today?

Any insight would really help me set expectations. Thanks!

Coming in with minimal R background (did do ISYE6501 already if it counts) and 0 Python background.

I’m travelling quite a bit for a few weeks towards the end of summer and would love to take things a little more chill (i.e., as minimal exams as possible). Doing this program full time.

I will definitely be doing regression this summer. Looking to pair it with another chill but useful MGT module.

I heard MGT8823 Data Analysis for Continuous Improvement is very useful for careers but I’m worried about the workload especially if I’m travelling.

I am also considering digital marketing because apparently you can likely front load all the studying to the front of summer which I do like but I’m not sure how useful it is in general.

I have not taken CSE6040 but planning to do in Fall and would like to keep some time to prepare for it.

Would you recommend pairing MGT8823 or Digital Marketing with Regression? (If you want to keep your sanity & enjoyment while travelling for a few weeks, AND save time to prepare for CSE6040)

Huge thank you to everyone who gave tips and advice!

Managed to get an improvement in my score. Reflected on my past MT2 mistakes and realised one of the problems was me doing it while I was very mentally and emotionally burnt out. Took some time out to just do my own things with lesser stress

Scored a 77% but I’m happy with it. Was so worried and anxious about it. The finals was quite tricky though so 77% was a rather pleasant surprise for myself.

Now I’m sitting at 77% overall too, what’s the likelihood of it being curved to a B?

In all seriousness, is there any precedent for how the institution will treat things like this?

I had a final today, as I know a lot of you had as well.... I think the issue is that it would be unfair to those who've already taken a final that other students will have "padded" preparation study time all being controlled by the whims of a hacker group.

I am wondering if there has been noted instances where professors may opt to give students get a P/F option, or something like that if an issue that would impact fairness, such as this, had occurred.

Question regarding academic standing and probation. I just wrapped up my first semester, and for my only class I took CSE 6040.

I ended the course with a 79.23% because I bombed the final. Did well all semester but the final kicked my ass.

1. If I struggled this much with the first course how concerned should I be about being the finish this program? Really concerned about 6242 now

2. Does a 79 in my only class of the semester put me in academic probation? I know the minimum requirement is a 2.7. Just feel painful to be 1 point away from a B and a 3.0 for the semester

im coming from a data science undergrad at ut austin with a double minor in cs and applied statistical modeling in 3 years. got really into sql when learning about it in my freshman intro to data science class. i took a data engineering course that next semester and loved it.

i was really keen on persuing it as a career but no other classes in my major offered it so i kind of stagnated

in the meantime, i got interested in ml and took 2-3 classes throughout the rest of undergrad.

however, with this job market im not sure where to go next. i have one intership doing devops adjacent work.

any guidance or advice would be much appreciated, i was admitted into omsa and omscs.

I really want to do the C track and get access to some of the classes in that track like deep learning (and succeed of course). CDA would be my first one.

My question is whether any of you have a background that may have been similarly lacking as mine but were able to succeed in CDA. I have been watching 3 blue 1 brown for linear algebra and it makes sense and I understood enough to follow the PCA part of ISYE 6501 and actually have a good intuitive understanding to be honest. I pick up on new concepts pretty quickly but don't have the exposure to multivariable calculus or proofs.

I know CDA will stretch my abilities and require me to do some outside learning, my concern is whether I will hit a wall or not, and I know that's highly personal and everyone's experiences and capacities vary. I ask because I really want to get the most learning out of this program as I can without pushing myself outside of the realm of realistic abilities so any anecdotal evidence is helpful! Thanks! I'll probably still go for it and just switch to the B track if it doesn't work out. Just working up the courage to do so I guess.

Finishing up the semester now and wanna try to calm the anxiety - I read here that they curve the grades at the end? is that just B's or do they also curve to an A?

For those who've gotten curved to an A, do you remember how much of a curve it was? also were they lenient on the project grading?

Hi all, I enrolled in MGT 6201 thia summer, but due to some work travel I will miss most of the first week. Class starts on the 18th and I'll be back on the 23rd. Curious on how screwed I am or if others have had a similar case.

I know it's a lot of reading, memorization etc for the first exam on week 3, just curious if others have been in a similar situation and we're able to catch up in time. I can't recall in other classes if all the modules are locked behind an honor lock check? but if I might not be able to get past it until I'm back unless it's possible to do it from canvas android or ios app?

For those of you who came into this course without a background or daily work in analytics or modeling, and without prior experience in R, I'd love to hear your reflections. Do you feel you've gained enough to approach problems differently, or to apply new thinking to your current or future work?

Personally, coming from a solid background in finance and accounting, I came away with a broad awareness of a wide range of models, though I don't yet feel proficient in any single one. I'm still reflecting on how to best carry this foundation forward in a meaningful way.