December 19, 2025
Apoorva Gupta, a second-year student in the MS in Applied Data Science program, has been learning how data science is already used in the real world in ways he never realized. For example, fitness watches don’t directly measure heart rate—they use machine learning to predict it by analyzing how light reflects off your skin. Born and raised in Gurgaon, India, Apoorva earned his bachelor’s in computer science from Purdue University. He also completed minors in math and economics. After graduating in 2022, he moved to Chicago, where he started working at Fifth Third Bank as a quantitative analyst supporting their credit risk strategy team. He then started at UChicago in Autumn 2024 as a part-time student and kept his role at Fifth Third. We interviewed Apoorva about his experiences here.
Why did you choose the University of Chicago?
Besides the prestige of earning a degree from the University of Chicago, what really sold me on UChicago was the Data Science Institute. Comparable programs at other schools felt more statistics-, computer science-, or math-first, while the DSI made it clear that data science is its own discipline. I learned that the DSI connects students across different fields who use data science as a tool to solve real-world problems, rather than focusing solely on building the “best” model.
That philosophy really resonated with me. I wanted to be in an environment that values impact, context, and thoughtful decision-making just as much as technical rigor. The DSI’s interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on applying data science to meaningful problems ultimately made UChicago feel like the right place for how I want to learn and use data science going forward.
What made you interested in your current field of study?
I’ve always been into patterns and problem-solving, whether that was chess, math, or strategy games. So, getting into computer science felt pretty natural. Over time, I realized I was less excited about just writing code and more interested in using data to understand why things happen and how decisions can be improved.
That really clicked for me through academic research and the industry where I saw how data can turn messy, subjective problems into something more structured and actionable. What interests me about data science today is that I continue to use data to make smarter decisions and drive meaningful impact.
What has been your most memorable class and why?
Bayesian ML with Gen AI Applications. Professor Batu is extremely passionate and made the class so enjoyable for us. His excitement and genuine wish for his students to learn rather than worry about grades is what made this class the most memorable.
What skill have you gained here that might be or has already proven valuable outside of school?
Given the “Applied” nature of my program, final presentations and projects heavily emphasize delivering results and recommendations effectively. While presenting, we’re taught to take a step back from the project and think about what context or prior knowledge our audience has. While we may be subject matter experts, the audience typically won’t be.
From my time in the industry, I’ve learnt that knowing how to deliver a good presentation separates a good scientist from a great one. Every presentation helps me become a stronger scientist, learning to step back, understand my audience, and communicate results effectively.
What is your favorite restaurant or food truck in Hyde Park? What is your favorite dish?
Ascione Bistro for brunch! I’m a big fan of their fettuccine alfredo (not to mention the bottomless mimosas is an amazing deal too!)
What is your favorite campus spot and why?
Very cliché, but Promontory Point. Beyond the city views, I’ve spent summer afternoons picnicking with friends and making memories I’ll always cherish.
What’s something you love to do outside of the classroom or lab? What’s the coolest thing you’ve done in the city so far?
I’m a huge soccer fan—I love watching matches with friends on the weekends and playing in summer rec leagues. I also stay active by working out and turning every train ride or Uber into a walk (my friends will confirm I’ll always choose to walk, even if it’s over an hour).
Coolest thing I’ve done: getting last minute tickets to see “Twas the Night Before Christmas” performed by Cirque du Soleil.
What support or mentorship have you received at UChicago that was particularly valuable to you?
The most valuable support I’ve received at UChicago has been from the faculty in this program who genuinely care about how I learn and think, and not just what I build. Through lectures and 1:1 conversations, they’ve pushed me to be more rigorous, ask the right questions, and consider the broader impact of my work. That mentorship has helped me grow from someone who focused on solutions to someone who thinks more deeply about problem framing and decision-making.
What are your plans post-UChicago? Or, what do you want to do with your degree?
As a part-time student, I’m also working in the industry, so in a way my plans “post-UChicago” are already in motion. I pursued this degree with the end goal of a career change from data analytics to data science. Earlier this year, I took a new role as a senior data scientist at PayPal, also supporting their credit risk strategy group.
My degree continues giving me new ways to approach problems and explore solutions I couldn’t before. Ultimately, I aim to combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, using data-driven insights to change the world.
What advice or insights do you have for new or prospective Maroons?
Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions—whether it’s that extension on the assignment, a clarification on that seemingly “trivial” concept you didn’t fully grasp, or even asking your professor about their career path and life story. You will rarely be penalized for curiosity and will always walk away knowing more than you did before. You never know which question or conversation will shape your future choices!