PhD in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research/Financial Engineering Fall 2015

[paaji3]

Anyone applying for a PhD in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research/Financial Engineering/Management Science?

[Dawnbreaker]

Yes! albeit, only partially. I was a bit surprised that there wasn't a thread for IEOR. I hope more will join us here.

Edited January 22, 2015 by cheme_pse

[kleingordon]

Hi, I also applied for many programs... still waiting.

[user31]

Hi I'm also waiting for the results. I've applied for 13 PhD programs in OR/OM and am almost done with my master. It would be nice if we could share some news, future plans, and decisions!

[paaji3]

Just wondering about your profiles:

 

1. University (school, major, gpa)

2. Research experience (projects, publications)

3. GRE/GMAT

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers)

5. Other relevant info

 

My profile is as follows:

 

1. University (school, major, gpa): Bachelors in Industrial Engineering from a top Canadian university (no masters), CGPA > 3.9

2. Research experience (projects, publications): Worked on multiple research projects in OR. Not published yet. 

3. GRE/GMAT: GRE (170Q, 164V, 4W)

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers): Three recommendations from research supervisors, one from a professor, and one from my manager. At least two of them are strong. 

5. Other relevant info: Worked as a financial quant for over a year on the trade floor of a big asset management firm.

 

__________________________________________________________________

Applied (12): Toronto (MASc MIE), Stanford (PhD MSE), UC Berkeley (PhD IEOR), MIT (PhD ORC), GeorgiaTech (PhD ISyE), Columbia (PhD IEOR), Cornell (PhD ORIE), Princeton (PhD ORFE), Northwestern (PhD IE), UPenn (PhD Wharton), EPFL (PhD MTE), Chicago (PhD Booth)

Admits: 

Rejects:

Edited January 24, 2015 by kumar3

[user31]

Sounds like a good idea, it may help the future/current applicants to get some idea about application.

 

1. University (school, major, gpa): Currently pursuing a Master's degree at a top US university, 3.9/4.0.

2. Research experience (projects, publications): Did RA and CA for a professor. No publications. 

3. GRE/GMAT: I took the old one, 670/800/3.5.

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers): One from current professor (strong, topped in his class and worked for him) and two from my undergrad.

5. Other relevant info: Two years of work experience in an IT company. 

Edited January 24, 2015 by user31

[User2Researcher]

1. University (school, major, gpa) : Undergrad in top university in Korea, major in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, GPA 3.80/4.0 (math 3.92/4.0)

2. Research experience (projects, publications) : 6 months undergrad RA in financial engineering lab with 2 small projects, 6 months undergrad RA in machine learning lab with one project , no publication

3. GRE/GMAT : v152 q170 w3.5 no subject

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers) : 3 from professors (1 expected to be strong), 1 from my employer(might be strong)

5. Other relevant info : 6 month internship in FX system trading company

[JHIE]

1. University (school, major, gpa)  State school: Undergrad in IE (3.53/4.0), Masters in Eng Mgmt (4.0)

2. Research experience (projects, publications)  12 months with one prof., varied projects. Currently working on publication

3. GRE/GMAT  154/157/3.5

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers)  3 strong LOR; department head, research advisor, research advisor/professor

5. Other relevant info  many years work exp, 9 month internship in related field

[jacksun0212]

1. University (school, major, gpa)  Top ISyE school in US (3.91/4.0) + Minor in Math (Math GPA: 4.0)

2. Research experience (projects, publications)  2 projects: 8 months with one prof. on energy system, 4 months with another prof. on healthcare, working on publishing paper on healthcare project  

3. GRE/GMAT  Q:170 V:150 W:3

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers)  All letters are from my professors, two are from research advisors, the other are from the very top prof in the field

5. Other relevant info  TA for 2 semesters, Best project in department and applying for IIE competition

[user31]

 

1. University (school, major, gpa)  Top ISyE school in US (3.91/4.0) + Minor in Math (Math GPA: 4.0)

2. Research experience (projects, publications)  2 projects: 8 months with one prof. on energy system, 4 months with another prof. on healthcare, working on publishing paper on healthcare project  

3. GRE/GMAT  Q:170 V:150 W:3

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers)  All letters are from my professors, two are from research advisors, the other are from the very top prof in the field

5. Other relevant info  TA for 2 semesters, Best project in department and applying for IIE competition

 

 

Congrats man! It's the first admission posting in our thread. Hope we all get into our target schools

[Dawnbreaker]

@Those applying to Columbia:
 

The engineering website says that students need to complete an MS before moving on to the PhD program. So have you applied for the MS leading to PhD program or the PhD program directly itself? And what exactly is the deadline for MS leading to PhD program - is it Dec 15 (normal PhD deadline) or Feb 15 (MS deadline)? 

 

Any inputs is greatly appreciated. Columbia is one of my top choices so, I am freaking out, I hope I haven't applied to the wrong program

 

http://gradengineering.columbia.edu/about-applying-1

"The M.S. degree is required for admission into the Ph.D. and Eng.Sc.D. degree programs. A student who holds an appropriate bachelor's degree in engineering may apply for admission for study for either the M.S. only or M.S. leading to Ph.D."

[paaji3]

 

@Those applying to Columbia:

 

The engineering website says that students need to complete an MS before moving on to the PhD program. So have you applied for the MS leading to PhD program or the PhD program directly itself? And what exactly is the deadline for MS leading to PhD program - is it Dec 15 (normal PhD deadline) or Feb 15 (MS deadline)? 

 

Any inputs is greatly appreciated. Columbia is one of my top choices so, I am freaking out, I hope I haven't applied to the wrong program

 

http://gradengineering.columbia.edu/about-applying-1

"The M.S. degree is required for admission into the Ph.D. and Eng.Sc.D. degree programs. A student who holds an appropriate bachelor's degree in engineering may apply for admission for study for either the M.S. only or M.S. leading to Ph.D."

 

 

I applied for the MS leading to PhD. I think the deadline for ORFE was Dec 15.

Edited February 1, 2015 by paaji3

[frsp]

So few people are using this thread!

 

Heard back from Northwestern IEMS, waiting to hear from Stanford MS&E, MIT ORC, and Berkeley Statistics.   Saw a few acceptances for Stanford but nowhere else...

[JHIE]

Finally heard something today! Invited to visit Purdue; waiting on UMich, Northwestern, Northeastern, Stanford, USoCal, UnivFlorida, GATech, and TAMU.

[swagmoney]

Hello everyone. I figured I'd join you guys in this thread since no one else seems to be posting in it

 

1. University (school, major, gpa) - Undergrad at a large US public university, Industrial Engineering major, 3.81/4.0 cumulative GPA

2. Research experience (projects, publications)  - extensive  research experience, mostly in healthcare related applications of IE. About 3 years of research experience with one paper in review. All research experience has been at my undergrad university though.

3. GRE/GMAT  Q167 V153 W4.5

4. Recommendations (professors, supervisors, managers) 3 professors. I've worked with each professor in research. I expect them to be pretty good letters.

5. Other relevant info - won 2 national scholarships, had 2 semesters of TA experience, 3 co-op rotations, 1 summer internship, and a few awards at the department, university, and national level.

 

I've applied to all PhD programs at: Michigan IOE, Georgia Tech ISyE, Northwestern IEMS, Virginia Tech ISE, Wisconsin-Madison ISyE, NC State ISE, Pitt IE

I've had interviews at: Michigan, Wisconsin-Madison

I was invited to visit: Michigan, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, NC State

Accepted to: Virginia Tech (Full Funding), Georgia Tech (via E-mail from faculty. Official e-mail with funding hasn't come in yet), NC State (No word on funding yet)

Edited February 5, 2015 by swagmoney

[ndie_sosu]

It's masters leading to phd if you don't already have a masters. I bet it doesn't matter if you goof though, you go into the same pile of candidates. As far as I can tell there's no preference or quota for students w/ masters vs w/out

[frsp]

Got an email from Columbia IEOR (PhD) to check the website and I've been accepted!  It doesn't say anything about funding though, or any kind of visitor weekend...?  Did anyone else get accepted and hear something about funding?

[user31]

Got an email from Columbia IEOR (PhD) to check the website and I've been accepted!  It doesn't say anything about funding though, or any kind of visitor weekend...?  Did anyone else get accepted and hear something about funding?

 

Congrats frsp! Hopefully we could meet on the visiting day. I just got the same letter from IEOR (PhD) and all I can see is about the housing. In the letter they say there will be an orientation that will be announced soon.

Edited February 5, 2015 by user31

[frsp]

Cool!  Oof, didn't even notice that last sentence saying 'see you at the orientation'.  I should read more carefully, hah. 

[paaji3]

Got an email from Columbia IEOR (PhD) to check the website and I've been accepted!  It doesn't say anything about funding though, or any kind of visitor weekend...?  Did anyone else get accepted and hear something about funding?

Even I got into Columbia IEOR (MS + PhD) w/o any info on funding.

[Dawnbreaker]

I would love to hear all your thoughts about Columbia IEOR MS/PhD program. I got an acceptance today, and have an extremely nontraditional background (chemical+systems engineering) but have extensive research experience in systems engineering. I applied there primarily because of my interested in systems optimization and management, and I loved their center for management of systemic risk. Apart from this, I have a reasonable background in optimization, but totally oblivious to other areas of OR (logistics, FE, SCM). I am also reasonably certain I want to get into a teaching position, and little to no interest in wall street.

 

How would you rate Columbia for someone with my interests and background. I was really excited when I applied, and thought it will be a great place. Now, after reading more about the program and some reviews about it, I am having some serious second thoughts. Any and all inputs from you guys will be greatly appreciated

[frsp]

What caused the change of your opinion?

[Dawnbreaker]

Its too FE centric. There is some scope for optimization and risk management - yes, but I somehow get the feeling that I gauged the department incorrectly. It would be great if someone here with interests in systems engineering could share their thoughts on Columbia. Also, I am slightly scared of NYC life, I have never really lived in a big city.

 

PS: Columbia was initially my 1st choice (tied with Caltech actually), but now I am more inclined towards CMU and UIUC over Columbia. 

[ndie_sosu]

.

Edited February 6, 2015 by ndie_sosu

[ndie_sosu]

I wouldn't call us a fe school, we're pretty evenly spread between opt, stoch, fe and some recent machine learning type stuff

Edited February 6, 2015 by ndie_sosu