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FAQ

Who can participate?

The competition is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled at The Ohio State University during the semester the competition takes place.

What about graduate students?

If you are a graduate student who is skilled in working with data and interested in the ASA DataFest, we ask that you consider volunteering as one of our mentors. 

When and where is the event?

You can find all of the event details here.

Do I need a team?

Yes. This is a collaborative event, and team work is required. A team can be anywhere between 2 and 5 OSU undergraduate students. We suggest creating an interdisciplinary team with a variety of skills. Find friends who are skilled in different software like R, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, or any other software package that you feel will be helpful. We also encourage interdisciplinary educational backgrounds. For example, a team might consist of students studying Data Analytics, Business, Art, Economics, and Geographic Information Systems.

How can I find a team?

When you register for the event we will ask for your team name or if you need help finding a team. We will use this information to try to put individuals seeking teams in contact with one another.

What data will be used?

The American Statistical Association (ASA) has secured a large dataset from a well-known company. The details of the dataset and the company providing the data are kept secret until the Kickoff event.

What can I win?

Fame and glory in the Ohio State data community. We will also have a variety of prizes for our category winners AND we have a bunch of prizes to raffle off throughout the event (must be present to win).

What are the rules of DataFest?

  • The first rule of DataFest is: You talk about DataFest.
  • The second rule of DataFest is: You really do talk about DataFest. Make sure your friends and classmates know that you are participating. We want this to be a great event for all students who love the idea of working with data, and we hope to grow the competition next year.
  • Teams are as small as 2 students, but no larger than 5.
  • Team members are free to come and go as they please during the competition, but all work is to be done on-site. We will be providing food, snacks, and drinks throughout the event, so we hope you can stay for the entire time. If you do choose to leave in the evening or late at night, we ask that you walk with a friend or contact campus escort services. Also, arriving at the 18th Ave. Library anytime between 11:30pm and 7:30am will require you to swipe your BuckID.
  • Collaborate with other teams on ideas. Help one another out. Yes, it is a competition, but we want it to be a friendly one.

What do I need to compete?

You will need to bring a computer with tools for data analysis loaded. There are no restrictions on the software that can be used. The dataset will be large, so a tool like R might be something you want to explore. We are planning workshops on R in advance of the ASA DataFest, and registered participants will receive details on how to participate via their OSU email account. You can also get access to Lynda.com through the Digital Union in order to gain access to online software tutorials. Ohio State also provides access to a wide array of software to students for free. Finally, as one of our co-sponsors, Data Camp is offering ASA DataFest participants a 2 month free membership. This way you can brush up on skills before the event. 

How will I eat?

We are providing food and drink throughout the event. Any dietary restrictions can be indicated when you register for the competition.

Will companies see my work?

We are inviting our corporate sponsors to attend the ASA DataFest. Some companies will be bringing recruitment teams, others will be providing "mentors" who regularly work with data, and some companies will do both. When registering for the event you can submit a PDF version of your resume which we will pass along to some of our co-sponsors.