I would start with the nano degree program if you don't have any prior knowledge of ML.
Udacity has a Linear Algebra review course, but I don't believe it is public for now. I had taken a linear algebra course before I took the GT ML class, but I wasn't a expert by any means. I don't believe you will need a deep understanding of linear algebra before taking this class. Singular value decomposition might come up. I think if you are familiar with everything in the following pdf you should be fine.
I typically hate ranking lists like this, since I believe student completion rates are more important than enrollment. However, I did find some joy in finding a new MOOC I could add to the backlog of courses I need to take.
I'm not sure why you'd worry about completion rates. When I've taken online courses I've completed all the lectures and their associated exercises. But if I'm taking a course it means I have some end in mind for the skills it teaches me and that makes any final project or exam superfluous.
I have to disagree: for me the final project was important to immediately put to the test the things I had learned. And - as I explained above - if the course has peer-grading (almost a given if it has a final project, because you cannot automate the evaluation of a project) you learn even more by evaluating the ways other approached their solution.
I don't think it's far to compare any city to New Orleans. I think everyone from the South is a little bit jealous of the culture of New Orleans. It's just a amazing place.
I think the TAs/graders will start to scale. There are some amazing TAs in this program. From my experience, I think some of the best are also current students in the program. I think the network effect of having so many students will have a big impact. I think you will start seeing companies encouraging employees to be TAs just for the ability to screen for potential employees.
I agree about the TAs -- actually that was part of my point. Once the pool of TAs begins to scale they will have an easier time continuing to provide the courses with lower time investment from the professor of record than resident classes (since lectures do not have to be repeatedly provided).
One of the questions still open in my mind is whether networking through the OMS will be as valuable as resident programs. Anecdotally, I haven't been able to generate any useful leads so far, but that may be as much on me as the program. (I'm interested in other opportunities, but I have a well-paid, stable job that is far away from any tech hubs...so I'm not desperate, and it's challenging to find opportunities that fit for both parties.)
Udacity has a Linear Algebra review course, but I don't believe it is public for now. I had taken a linear algebra course before I took the GT ML class, but I wasn't a expert by any means. I don't believe you will need a deep understanding of linear algebra before taking this class. Singular value decomposition might come up. I think if you are familiar with everything in the following pdf you should be fine.
http://minireference.com/static/tutorials/linear_algebra_in_...
If you are motivated, you will do fine. Good luck!