Hello,
I was recently admitted into CMU for the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. I’m planning to major in the Statistics and Machine Learning program which is a joint major between Dietrich College and the School of Computer Science. Does anybody know how “good” this program is at CMU? How are the statistics and CS classes? Are they difficult? Are they interesting? My main concern is that I am dabbling in 2 subjects (Stats and CS), and as a result, I’ll be at a disadvantage compared with others since I won’t study each subject in depth as someone who is solely majoring in Statistics or Computer Science at CMU. Since I’m from California, I’m wondering if this program is worth going so far away from home. Thanks!
The joint major isn’t “dabbling,” but it’s also not intended to be a deep dive into computer science. It’s really more like a data science degree. The concept is that machine learning and other computer science concepts are integral to using big data in statistics, and the major is designed for students who really are interested in statistics and using ML and other CS concepts in their work/research/understanding as a statistician.
So no, you won’t really be able to compete with people who have a BS in computer science to be, say, a software developer - unless you took a lot of supplemental coursework in computer science… But there are TONS of jobs that would use the skills developed in this major, so you won’t be at a disadvantage in the market overall.
CMU is really strong in both of these areas and in machine learning. So yeah, it’s worth going away from home for, IMO.
@juillet Do you know if it is difficult to enroll in supplemental CS classes at CMU? I’m assuming I will be taking the same CS courses as the students who are majoring in CS?
No, I don’t know for sure. You can take a look at the CMU class schedule here (https://enr-apps.as.cmu.edu/open/SOC/SOCServlet/search). It doesn’t list how full each class is, but it does list the number of sections in each lecture. There are lots of sections of most basic CS classes, so I can’t imagine they all completely fill with others banging down the doors to get in.
This is also something that you can ask when you start - talk to your advisor and some older students.
My son was also admitted to this major. Do you know how difficult the program is and how much work it involves. How does it compare to a standalone statistics or CS degree, as far as workload? Any info would be appreciated.
Disadvantage because it is in 2 majors? No, StatsML majors will go in more depth in machine learning than both stats majors and CS majors combined. I’m pretty sure you can get away with stats major and CS major without taking a single machine learning course. So no, you are not putting yourself at an advantage.
In terms of classes:
Stats classes are easy
CS classes are hard as heck
My D will graduate with a stats degree with decision science. She has had 5 incredible job offers. She knows a number of students who have the stats/machine learning.
Stats at CMU is fantastic. One of the best in the country. There are many grad students that came from other schools to get their masters in stats at CMU and they are in some of her classes and they are blown away by how hard the work is and how these classes are undergrad courses. Just sayin’
@TiggyB62 Do you know how summer internship opportunities are for CMU students?
Internship numbers are on the CMU web site under Salaries and Destinations. There are separate links for internships in addition to graduating seniors. Search and ye shall find. 
@myztichearts99 the internships are plentiful. The Career Center is a great resource and they are very helpful. Also, as a student, I think you register on “handshake” where you upload resumes and applications. As my D has stated multiple times about CMU, if you want an internship you will get one, if you want a job upon graduation, you will have one. CMU is a job creating machine
@myztichearts99 the internships are plentiful. The Career Center is a great resource and they are very helpful. Also, as a student, I think you register on “handshake” where you upload resumes and applications. As my D has stated multiple times about CMU, if you want an internship you will get one, if you want a job upon graduation, you will have one. CMU is a job creating machine.