MS in Data Analytics and Business Computing (MSDABC), Class of 2026

Chicago → Hong Kong → London → New York City and now, Shanghai! Elijah is enjoying the vibrant life in Shanghai.

Quick Facts

Hometown: Chicago
Undergraduate Institution: New York University
Major: Public Policy
Reason for Choosing MSDABC: Strengthen quantitative and technical skills; experience Shanghai as an international student
Post-MS Goal: Work in an industry of personal interest in Shanghai
Additional Background: Enjoy mixed martial arts, reading novels, and apply academic concepts to personal projects

“Causal Inference was exactly the kind of class I hoped this program would have.”

— Elijah VanderMolen

Academic Highlight: Causal Inference

“The concepts had clear and extensive real-world use cases.”

Elijah’s favorite course this semester was Causal Inference taught by Professor Ying Rong., a rigorous lecture-based class that he initially expected to be intimidating due to his humanities background.

But he quickly found the material engaging and accessible.

“This not only made the class valuable, but it also made the content easier to digest.”

The course strengthened his analytical abilities and gave him greater confidence — providing exactly the kind of quantitative foundation he hoped to gain from the MSDABC program.

Most Memorable Experience in Fall 2025: Capstone Project Kickoff

“The journey alone was an enjoyable experience.”

One of the highlights of Elijah’s semester was his first meeting with the capstone sponsor that owns and operates shopping centers anchored by an IKEA retail store.

He remembered the full experience vividly:

Commuting to an office located far from the city center
Passing through neighborhoods he hadn’t visited in a long time
Entering a beautifully sunlit rooftop area to reach the office
Being welcomed by a surprisingly senior member of the China team

The meeting itself offered a tangible look at the company’s business, from mall operations and revenue sources to the kinds of data that drive their decision-making. After brainstorming project directions back in the office, the team sent the students off promptly at 4:30pm so they could return to campus for an exam.

For Elijah, this moment captured everything he enjoyed about the semester: connecting with professionals, exploring new parts of Shanghai, and deepening his understanding of the city’s business landscape.

Elijah visiting Tesla with other MS students.

Studying and Living in Shanghai

“The fall semester in Shanghai is what you make of it.”

Elijah appreciated the rhythm of life in Shanghai. While students were given several long assignments, the course schedule built in generous blocks of free time that they could use as they wished.

He spent that time on:

Independent and entrepreneurial projects
An on-campus job
Participating in university clubs and events

Meanwhile, classmates chose to explore the city, intern, or travel to other regions.

He found daily life in Shanghai enjoyable and accessible. The city’s extensive subway system, rentable bicycles, and affordable taxis made it easy to get around; and with such a large city to explore, there was always something new to discover.

Although there can be cultural or language barriers for international students, Elijah found that locals were friendly when they saw students making an effort. He also recommends befriending Shanghai-based classmates — the best guides to discovering the city’s hidden gems.