snigi-gupta

Buffalo Housing 2021 Issue

I am really sorry but these are all the contacts I have. There is high probability that you might have already contatcted these landlords. It seems that this year (2021) there is a surge of students and hence most houses that were vacated and rented in a routinely cycle are all occupied. I would blame the pandemic for this, since many students deferred their studies, and now we have much more than expected students coming in. The balance has been shaken. So don't worry, go for the landlord you are currently speaking with. Take a 6 month lease and then switch when possible. Ask a friend in Buffalo to video tour your house. Do a google meet/zoom call with the landlord. Consider on-campus housing too if possible and if pocket allows. You can wait for sometime until recently graduated students vacate. Else rent something for 6 months and then move to a closer location when posisble for you. Also, DON'T Panic! It is okay, this seems natural after everything was on halt for 2 years.

He

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Snigdha Gupta

Snidha Gupta is tech enthusiast. Through her github repository she started helping incoming University at Buffalo students with onboarding, course works, QnAs. She soon realized that people in tech or people switching to tech need help in planning their courses, careers, job search etc. and hence she started an Instagram page of her own.

Snigdha was awarded the Graduate MS Leadership award by her university. She is also the founder of GradSWE at UB. She enjoys promoting women in tech initiatives and collaborating with other tech enthusiasts to help the community.

She is currently working at Audible(Amazon, FAANG) and tries to help people in tech with their tech journey.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn(Please add a personal note) and follow her on Instagram for many tips, QnA and much more.

snigi-gupta

UB's location is a disadvanatge? What? No!

• Location doesn't matter that much anymore, if you are a good + worthy + hardworking + smartworking candidate.
• I know the lowest package of a UB student to be around $70k and highest package to be around $152k. (For SDE roles) (This is what I know).
• I know a UB student who works at Amazon in Seattle (west) and a UB student who works at Audible(Amazon) in New Jersey (east).
• I know someone who works in Buffalo and saves a tonn in rent, taxes, expenses (because of the location) as compared to someone living in San Jose.
• Interview processes work differently here. USA Interview process

In short, location doesn't matter.

Some top east coast companies (even better than FAANG+ in some aspects)

snigi-gupta

The hiring and interview process differ in the US quite bit much.

The process is as such (for CS graduates, SDE roles):

• you apply to ~100+ applications. OR you network with people
• your resume gets shortlisted
• you receive a OA (Online Assessment)
• you receive a hiring manager call
• you receive 1st Phone Interview (coding round)
• you receive 2nd Phone Interview (coding round)(not always)
• you receive final Onsite Interview (coding + behavioural + design) This interview is 4-6 hours long.

snigi-gupta

I am confused between ABC university and University at Buffalo. What do you suggest?

What I suggest, or will suggest is not important. I cannot make your life decisions. That is your job.

I can share with you my experience at UB

I can help you decide, by telling you how to do decision making.

• Make a list of your goals
• Make a pros and cons list
• Set your priorities. What is important for you? Culture, class size, finances?

snigi-gupta

My UB (University at Buffalo) Experience, Blunt and Honest.

Why did I select UB?

• I had 2 options (UB and UNCC, I applied to total 5 universities), I selected UB becuase of three reasons:
  • ROI (Return on Investment). I was particular about my finances. UB offers 4 subjects in 1 sem (more to learn), tuition fees is very less (comparatively), living expenses are less.
  • Courses. As I said, 4 courses offered in 1 sem. I finished my masters 6 months ahead of time than what people usually come here for. This means I start earning 6 months early and hence will repay my loan sooner.
  • Ranking. UB used to come in top 50. It just gave me some reassurance that I am making a good decision. (Although now I realize, this was completely stupid. Ranking shouldn't be a factor, the curriculum should be) UB in CS is now at 61. :(

My Experience

• Honestly, my experience was good/great.

snigi-gupta

Networking Guidelines (USA specific, You may not know)

• Don't just say Hi. They know you have an ulterior motive (and that is okay). Saying 'Hi' and then keeping them waiting for your questions is not at all appreciated. This is not an acceptable behavior for people who don't know you. It is highly frowned upon in USA. You can read more about this here.
• If it is Googable, don't bother them. Don't waste someone else's time just because you are lazy. Gives a very bad impression. Do your research first thoroughly.
• Don't ask questions where you are asking them to make a decision for you.
• Dont' ask average salaries
• Don't ask about how difficult/easy it is to get a job. Getting a job in USA is all on you.
• Add a personalized note when reaching on LinkedIn.
• Don't address as Sir/Ma'am, it is considered rude here.
• Don't just blurt out all questions at once. Say hi and ask your first question, if they reply, ask your next question.
• Don't send them reminders within a w

snigi-gupta

from collections import defaultdict, deque

class Solution:
    def ladderLength(self, beginWord: str, endWord: str, wordList: List[str]) -> int:
        if endWord not in wordList:
            return 0
        
        graph = defaultdict(list)
        
        for word in wordList + [beginWord, endWord]: