Application Advice/Chance me for PhD programs in Operations Research

[azurepanda]

Hi, 

I am looking to apply for PhD programs in OR with a focus on Optimization, this would be my first cycle and I am the only one in my family to apply to grad school so any advice/pointers would be greatly appreciated ! 

Context:
I am an International applicant and will be applying to PhD programs in the US. I have done my bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from a Tier 3 university in India and my masters in Computational Science from a top university in India. My stats are 

Bachelors GPA: 3.44

Masters GPA: 3.77

I have ~ 2 years of research experience in computational electromagnetics, with a paper under review in a decent computational journal (Impact Factor: 4.0). 

I have taken the usual mechanical engineering courses(with the usual calculus 1,2,3 + Linear Algebra + Differential Eqns) in undergrad. For my masters I have taken - Probabilty, Numerical methods, Numerical Soln to Differential Equations, Dynamics and Control of Linear Systems and Numerical Linear Algebra. I also audited a course on Finite Element Methods although I don't have it on my transcript.

My program didn't allow me to take more courses as it was a research based masters, which is a big worry for me. As most OR programs require more proof based courses, I have self studied Real Analysis(Abbot), Proof based Linear Algebra(Axler), Combinatorics(Trotter). I'm pretty confident in these topics, but i'm not sure if this would be convincing to the admission commitee as I don't have it on my transcript. 

My GRE and TOEFL scores are: 327(164Q, 163V, 4.0AWA) and 113(29R, 29L, 29W, 26S)

I have 2 solid LOR's(One from my research advisor) and one decent. 

I'm thinking of applying to: Reach: Georgia Tech, University of Michigan; Target: University of Wisconsin Madison, University of North Carolina, Northwestern University; Safe: University of Minnesota, Ohio State

My biggest concerns are that I have not taken more proof based mathematics classes and my research experience is not in OR. Am I being too ambitious with my Uni's? I'd appreciate any comments ! 

[azurepanda]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I have studied these topics from textbooks, as I like to take a textbook and understand most of its content on my own, while solving as many problems as I can.

The issue is that I'm not sure how can I convey this to the admissions committee or if they will even take my claim seriously as I don't have a transcript or a certificate for these subjects. 

[azurepanda]

20 hours ago, Dr.B said:

It looks good overall, but what do you mean by "I have not taken more proof based mathematics classes". You mention taking additional coursework on your own, were these online? 

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I have studied these topics from textbooks, as I like to take a textbook and understand most of its content on my own, while solving as many problems as I can.

The issue is that I'm not sure how can I convey this to the admissions committee or if they will even take my claim seriously as I don't have a transcript or a certificate for these subjects. 

[azurepanda]

On 2/8/2023 at 8:26 PM, Dr.B said:

It would look better if you sign up for online courses. They don’t have to be credit baring but will show the adcom that you have taken steps in the right direction.

Hi,

I will do that and would be applying to online MOOC's. Hopefully it should give sufficient confidence in my ability to do proofs to the addmission commitee!
Also, since my research is in Computational Physics, will that count towards my application? Or does my prior research experience neccessarily has to be in OR? Thank you for your time!