Ethan Jee-Yoon Kozlowski Transcript

Program: Masters in Computational Social Science (MACSS)
Year: Second year
Concentration: Sociology

Hometown?
Buffalo, NY / Virginia Beach, VA. I would say these are each hometowns for different reasons: Buffalo is where I spent my early childhood, and Virginia Beach is where I spent middle and high school. 

What type of research are you interested in? 
Social Network Analysis, Racial-Ethnic Identity, and Policing.

Why did you choose MACSS?
The main draw for me is the thoroughly interdisciplinary approach to understanding and tackling social scientific problems. This program is not just understanding computational methods, nor is it only about learning social scientific theory. The MACSS program is constructed in such a way that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Learning and then applying new and bleeding-edge techniques to understand social issues is also a huge draw.

What is your thesis about? 
TBD. I have talked to a few professors during their office hours to generate ideas, but I am still working on my topic.

What is your favorite thing about the MACSS program? 
Definitely the instructional professors – they love what they research and are extremely dedicated to teaching us what they know. They often go above and beyond to accommodate and learn from us as well. 

What is your biggest challenge in the program? 
Adjusting to the quarter system and the workload has been a challenge, as well as managing deadlines and school-work-life balance, especially in the winter quarter when it gets dark so soon after classes. Finding all the time I need to complete what I need to do is difficult as everything feels condensed and fast-paced, but at the end of it all, I made it and learned a great deal.

Why did you choose UChicago? 
I had a very hard time choosing between a small handful of programs. In fact, I had originally ruled out UChicago, but my undergraduate advisor told me to reconsider because she said I would fit in with that atmosphere of academia. After attending this program for a year, I agree with her statement. My peers here are dedicated to learning but in a collaborative and constructive manner rather than a competitive and cutthroat one. There is a sense of pursuing knowledge for the sake of knowledge that I haven’t seen elsewhere. I also have family in Chicago and that tipped the scale in favor of moving closer to loved ones.

What is it like living in Chicago? 
I love Chicago. Hyde Park feels like its own little bubble, but because downtown is only a short Metra ride away, there are always plenty of events for fun. Chicago is a lively city with so many memory-making opportunities. I would love to stay here long term, but we will see what the future holds.

What are your career aspirations? 
I hope to work somewhere where my skills and education are used constantly, challenge me, and help me grow even more. Ultimately, I hope to work for a governmental statistical agency at the federal or state level. I could also see myself working for a non-profit organization that informs policymakers using data-driven research.

What is your advice for UChicago applicants? 
My main advice is to always ask for help: from friends, professors and advisors. If you are feeling overwhelmed, behind, exhausted, confused, it is always good to know you are not in this daunting situation alone. As a sidenote, be prepared for the winter quarter, it gets dark fast and is very cold. Get good cold-weather gear.

Invaluable experiences that MACSS/UChicago has provided thus far? 
The end-of-the-year celebration was an amazing time to destress with peers and some of the faculty. Above all, the friends I have made in this community are invaluable.