WIR-013

Previous (previous) week’s action items

Action Items

• 1. Submit UCSD app by EOD 12/2; post proof
• 2. Study 1+ hours/day for COMP790.150 exam; post proof
• 3. Complete graduation survey by 12/4; post proof
• 4. Expand NeurIPS itinerary to include folks at all relevant schools
• 5. Draft W4C presentation by 12/6; revise 12/7
  • 5a. Contact organizers by 12/3
• 6. Meet 2-3 new buddies @NeurIPS!
• 7. Draft applications for ~1/2 of 12/15 apps; post proof

AI.1

AI.2

• I won’t be posting any notes from this class; you’ll have to take me at my word here. (If it’s any concession, I finished this course with a high pass!)

AI.3

AI.5

• Check out my contributed talk here: 🎬 NeurIPS 2025 Weather4Cast Challenge Recap
  • Also, did you know that this (🎬) thing is called a “clapperboard…?”

AI.5

• We made so many friends omg. The generative modeling crowd are getting the “most fun” award and its not even close.

Work completed

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Date	DOTW	Meetings	Work Completed
12-07-07	Sunday	None	[LOG] NeurIPS
12-08-07	Monday	None	[LOG] NeurIPS [ACA] Study
12-09-25	Tuesday	None	[ACA] Study
12-10-25	Wednesday	None	[ACA] Study
12-11-25	Thursday	None	[ACA] Study
12-12-25	Friday	None	[PhD] Applications
12-13-25	Saturday	None	[PhD] Applications

Reflections

I know… I know… we’re in absolute shambles over here (an entire week without a week-in-review is a most unholy thing). On the bright side, I’ve completed 12/15 PhD applications (god bless the last LoR just hit too) and look forward to having the rest submitted shortly! What an absolute whirlwind to the end of the semester this has been. Perhaps when I get the chance, I’ll type up an extremely belated and unoriginal “My Thoughts on NeurIPS” post. Of course, I’m pretty sure Lex Fridman has already beaten me to the punch.

For the first time I can really recall, I think I would be better off this winter break, you know, not only doing work things. That means daily exercise, family time, and getting my ducks in a row for a big move coming up at the end of the month (hoping to share some news regarding this on LinkedIn soon!) Fortunately, I also have a bit of interview prep to do as well.

I’m also mulling over putting together another long blog post on something in the coming weeks. So far, I’ve narrowed down the range of topics to either (1) a practical guide to applying to CS/ECE PhD programs or (2) my analysis of Napoleon’s failed march on Russia in 1812 (spoiler alert, many horsies bit the dust). If by some miracle I’ve found out how to turn on comments in a few weeks, and if if by an even greater miracle someone is actually reading this, let me know your preference.

Looking forward

Action Items

• 1. (12/16) Submit UChicago App
• 2. (12/18) Detailed interview prep for X
• 3. Set up Y and Z providers ahead of move -> ❓
  • 3a. Related to Y; call (3) at home
• 4. Make appointment with (1) and walk into (2) at home

What wonderful reading for you folks as always (:

Until next week 👋