New CDS Admissions Ambassadors Bring a Range of Perspectives to the MS in Data Science Program
The hardest part of applying to a data science program sometimes isn’t the math, the coding, or the statement of purpose. It’s figuring out all the intangibles — what the program will actually be like day to day, how to prepare for the program, and what to expect once you get in. That’s where the CDS Admissions Ambassadors come in. This year, three new ambassadors — Jovita Gandhi, Vidhi Manek, and Rebecca Rinehart — are joining last year’s cohort of Juan Alvarado, Ojasa Chitre, and Catherine Zhang to guide prospective and incoming students through the experience of the MS in Data Science program.
CDS Admissions Ambassadors are current MS students who serve as a resource for those considering or entering the program. They offer insights into coursework, career development, and campus life, helping students navigate everything from class selection to the best study spots in the city. By sharing their experiences, they provide a perspective that goes beyond the website and admissions brochures, offering a direct look at what it’s like to be part of the CDS community.
Jovita Gandhi entered the program with a background in economics and finance, aiming to integrate data science techniques into financial modeling and decision-making. In her day-in-the-life video, she balances coursework and meetings with quick meals and study sessions, a rhythm familiar to anyone transitioning into a data-driven career. She works on assignments before heading to class, and wraps up the day studying at CDS’s seventh-floor open space.
Watch Jovita’s day in the life at CDS video!
Vidhi Manek, who studied mathematics as an undergraduate, approaches data science from a theoretical foundation. Her goal at CDS is to bridge that knowledge with real-world applications, particularly in data-reliant decision-making. She spent much of her undergraduate years in research and is now focused on applying those skills in practical settings. Outside of class, she explores NYC bookstores and cafes, taking breaks from the rigor of the program with quiet moments in the city. As an ambassador, she wants to connect with students who, like her, are drawn to data science from a love of numbers and problem-solving.
Watch Vidhi’s day in the life at CDS video!
Rebecca Rinehart had one of the more unexpected transitions: from biochemistry and molecular biology to data science. She previously worked in biotech research in Austin, Texas, before deciding to build computational solutions that could improve health decisions. Her daily routine includes a mix of student leadership and personal rituals — starting the day with her cat, Yuzu, and a rose matcha latte, then preparing for a Graduate Student Community-Building Group (GCBG) meeting before heading to class. The day ends with an NYU-organized architectural walking tour, showing how being at CDS isn’t just about classes, but also about being embedded in the broader intellectual and cultural life of the city.
Watch Rebecca’s day in the life at CDS video!
These new ambassadors join Juan Alvarado, Ojasa Chitre, and Catherine Zhang, who spent the past year helping prospective students understand the MS program and answering questions about their journeys. Juan, with a background in financial tech, is focused on deepening his understanding of machine learning. Ojasa, a former software engineer, is exploring the intersection of engineering and data science. Catherine brings a business and finance perspective, applying analytics to quantitative financial models.
Together, the six ambassadors represent a range of academic backgrounds and career aspirations, showing how data science isn’t a single track but a network of pathways leading to different industries and applications.
To connect with the CDS Admissions Ambassadors, reach out at cdsmsambassadors@nyu.edu.
By Stephen Thomas
