Hey, I am also applying for PhD's in Applied Math with focus on optimization. I've applied to quite a few schools and among the schools you also applied to, I have UCB, MIT and Columbia(IEOR). I was admitted by Virginia Tech a few days ago, received campus visit invitation from UNC-CH, but other than these, I have not heard from other schools yet.
As for my background, I major in applied math at a top uni, 3.9 GPA, years of research experience, one paper under review(first author), at least two very strong recs, and other related activities.
