BSc (Data Science and Applications)
Prajakta Chinavalkar was in Class 12 when the pandemic’s second wave hit, and unfortunately, she contracted COVID-19 right in the middle of her entrance exams – a truly rocky start. Yet, some journeys begin not with a bang, but with the quiet hum of curiosity. Accompanied by a love for Mathematics and unwavering determination, that’s precisely how her story unfolds.
“Getting infected during such a crucial period,” she sighs, “it was a tough time.” Given the circumstances, her parents were understandably anxious about her moving away for higher education. This led her to make a brave decision: instead of pursuing an undergraduate course away from home, she chose to stay and focus on her true passion – Mathematics. She enrolled in her local college, beginning her journey as a Mathematics Honours student.
But, little did she know, there was more to come.
One day, while scrolling through her phone, she stumbled upon an influencer discussing an IITM degree in a field she had never heard of: Data Science. The term piqued her curiosity. “I started reading about it and realized how closely it is tied to Mathematics,” she says. That was it. To explore the mathematical frontiers of data science further, she enrolled in the IITM BS Degree alongside her offline program.
Just three years into the program, Prajakta has already earned her diploma in Data Science and is on track to complete her Programming diploma this term.
Prajakta recently received an offer for the MS in Mathematics and Computing program at IISER Pune! Prajakta credits the BS degree with profoundly expanding her horizons. “Before this,” she shares, “I thought Mathematics would only lead to teaching. Now I understand how vast its applications are, particularly in data-driven fields.”
While juggling two degrees, she couldn’t dive deep into co-curricular activities in the BS ecosystem, but once her undergraduate journey wrapped up, she finally got to experience Paradox’24. “It was amazing,” she beams. “I met so many peers I had only met online, and had interesting interactions with professors as well as instructors.” Speaking of graduating from her offline college, she has bagged two gold medals – one for being the department topper and the other one for being the topper across all the science departments!
Looking back, Prajakta emphasizes how her BS degree fueled her passion for learning. “Not everyone can afford to move away from home for education,” she notes, “but this degree offers quality and flexibility, shaped by the effort you’re willing to put in.”
When asked about her favourite subjects from foundation and diploma levels, she doesn’t skip a beat – Math 2 and BA top her list. At the same time, she is equally candid about her struggles: coming from a pure science background, web development didn’t come easily. It took persistence, boot camps, and sheer rigour to find her footing. And yes, she is a big fan of Sudarshan Iyengar Sir’s pedagogy. Admiring his teaching, she says, “Teachers like him make every other resource obsolete.”
Looking ahead, Prajakta is excited to explore research opportunities in Mathematics. Her story exemplifies how being open to learning – wherever you are from – can lead to incredible things. This budding mathematician offers heartfelt advice to those who are navigating their own paths: “No matter where you start, stay consistent. If you do that, good things shall come your way.”
– Written by Satyaki Goswami
