Starting my MS in Applied Analytics at Columbia University has felt like stepping into a faster gear, academically and personally. Moving from Delhi to New York came with the intensity of an Ivy League environment and the pace of a city that never really pauses. Between classes, group projects, and the constant energy around campus, I’m learning to operate at the intersection of data, technology, and business while building a routine that keeps me grounded.
The Ivy League Experience
The academic culture here pushes me to show up prepared every week. Surrounded by highly driven peers, faculty, and industry practitioners, expectations extend beyond grades to how clearly I can think, communicate, and defend your approach. The rigor and pace can feel demanding at times, but being in this environment has raised my standard for how I plan, execute, and learn.
Building analytical depth
Academically, the focus has been on developing strong, end-to-end analytical foundations. This includes understanding data infrastructure, transforming raw data into dashboards and reports, and communicating insights clearly to support decision-making. Alongside this, I’ve worked on training and evaluating machine learning models with an emphasis on practical application. More recently, I’ve been exploring how emerging technologies like blockchain are reshaping digital transactions, and how cloud platforms enable organizations to scale, deploy, and maintain modern data systems reliably.
Learning through collaboration
Group projects have played a central role in this experience, often bringing together teammates with diverse cultural backgrounds and professional experiences. Working in these settings has helped me communicate more deliberately, align expectations early, and stay adaptable when constraints evolve. It has also strengthened my confidence in presenting ideas, incorporating feedback, and delivering outcomes under tight timelines.
Life in the Big Apple
What I appreciate most about NYC is the fast paced life, the city never pauses be it heavy rain, wind or blizzard, and the diversity in the crowd, across culture, religion, and life experience. Outside the classroom, the city constantly offers opportunities through networking events, talks, student clubs, and conversations that can happen in subway trains and cafes. Beyond the professional side, NYC has also become a place to explore—trying new cuisines, discovering different neighborhoods, and building a social life in a completely new environment.
Balance within the momentum
Over time, I’ve learned to find structure within the city’s constant momentum. As I’ve started my second semester, I’m becoming more deliberate about managing my time and energy across academics, fitness, social life, and exploration. The balance isn’t perfect, but it’s evolving, and it’s helped me stay focused on building strong, real-world applied analytics skills.
