MS in Analytics Admitted Student Welcome

The webinar hosted by USC's admissions team opens with an introduction. The team, consisting of faculty and advisors, welcomes prospective students, congratulates them on their admissions, and explains how to engage during the session. Students can ask questions via chat or direct messages, and the goal is to inform them about the USC experience, particularly the engineering program. They emphasize community and opportunities available to students, including a vibrant student life in Los Angeles.

Following the introduction, the admissions officer discusses USC's location in Los Angeles, highlighting its proximity to Silicon Beach, which is ideal for engineering students seeking job opportunities. The rich cultural and recreational activities nearby are presented, including the California Science Center and landmarks such as Venice Beach and Hollywood. The focus remains on enriching the student experience both academically and socially in and around campus.

The speaker introduces the mentorship program for graduate students, aimed at fostering connections between incoming students and current students in similar academic fields, emphasizing its benefits for networking and acclimation into the USC culture. They present various campus activities and clubs, encouraging students to participate while also inviting questions, ensuring that new students can find their niches.

Further elaborating on opportunities, the speaker explains the urgency of submitting the statement of intent, which allows students to access pre-orientation resources, including academic webinars and housing options. They emphasize the need for international students to process their visas quickly and remind attendees of important deadlines, particularly for financial documentation through the Trojan system.

As the presentation transitions, the program representatives share critical upcoming dates, including orientation sessions and registration deadlines for classes. The advisor reassures incoming students about their academic plans and emphasizes the importance of planning and utilizing available resources to facilitate a smooth transition into the program.

The admissions team then highlights the curriculum specifics of the analytics program. They provide an overview of required courses and credits needed, detailing typical class loads for students, which generally culminate in three semesters. The emphasis is placed on practical applications of analytics, student readiness for the job market, and the diversity of student backgrounds within the program.

The program director follows with a more technical overview, explaining the differences between analytics and data science, clarifying how each discipline intersects within USC. They discuss the importance of business acumen in analytics and how students are prepared to enter various industries upon graduation with strong employment rates noted among alumni.

The discussion continues with detailed information on the core curriculum that includes foundational and specialized classes focusing on analytics. The presentations also reflect on enhancing students' practical experiences through a comprehensive alumni network and events aimed at fostering professional growth as well as social connections within the community.

The admissions team then shifts to introduce student ambassadors who share their personal experiences at USC. They discuss the transition into the program, coursework demands, and favorite classes while answering questions from potential students about campus safety, housing options, and fun activities in Los Angeles to create an engaging student life.

To address the inquiries regarding job placements and internships, student ambassadors share insights about applying for internships, focusing on job searches early on, and the overall importance of taking advantage of internship opportunities to maximize career readiness. They encourage new students to network creatively and leverage university resources effectively.