Operations Research/ Industrial Engineering 2010

[wifey99999999]

Columbia's MSOR has a bad reputation because some people see it as a "cash cow" to help fund the PhD program. If you are applying to Master's programs, you really need to make sure that the particular program is taken seriously by the university & employers and not just another source of funding. You don't want to spend 50k-60k+ and then realize that the school just wants to take your money. You really need to make sure there exists a supportive environment and plenty of opportunities available to you as a Master's student.

From my perspective, I feel like it could be very easy to feel "lost" in the Columbia program considering that there are 5 bachelor's programs, 4 master's programs, one professional degree, and one PhD program all housed in the same IEOR department. You may find yourself working a lot harder to compete for attention and resources from your department & university compared to a program like Stanford's MS&E, which is almost certainly resource-rich and offers just a single Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD program in various concentrations.

Regarding the cash cow argument, I think you can say the same thing to Stanford and GaTech and Cornell where they have 200+ Master students?

But I do agree that MSFE is the crown jewel of Columbia's IEOR department. However, a MSOR degree from Columbia would make you stand out too (if not competing with MSFE people).

[wifey99999999]

I just got into Cornel ORIE Meng as well (knew the result 2 days ago)... do you know how difficult the admission is comparing to other OR masters program from other school?

For those with low GRE verbal score, don't lose hope. Mine is really low (~400) and I got in .. I think the reason is because the other parts of my application are very strong. (1 publication in top tier Computer Science conference, 4 papers submitted now waiting for result, numerous leadership experience, recommendation letters from world renown professors, excellent GPA from top 5 US engineering university)

I really regret that I didn't apply to Stanford MS&E because at first I was scared of their high average verbal score.

I have a friend who scored 340 in GRE Verbal (800 in Quant) with minimal research experience, and he got accepted into Cornell's Master of Engineering program in Computer Science.

[AggieLand]

I got rejection email from Princeton too. Knowing their extremely small size of the their department, I am not surprised that it's so hard to get in. You probably have to be near perfect on every aspect of your application.

I think I am going to request a formal letter from them. I don't like this email communication.

It's OK, you will get into the top programs. Would you like to show your profile?

[caulfieldh]

I got into PhD at MIT ORC and Princeton ORFE. I already have a lot of information about faculty research and I will visit the schools soon. However, I'm interested in knowing what is the general opinion on each school? Like, name of the program, overall fame of the body of researchers, and such. Where would you choose and why? For me, I think it will boil down to fit in terms of research interests.

It seems like ORC is more focused on strictly classical OR problems where as ORFE is more varied in its research. Would you agree?

[wifey99999999]

It's OK, you will get into the top programs. Would you like to show your profile?

Q: 770. V: 490. AW: 4.0. GPA: 3.69.

[wifey99999999]

Now bad news coming ..... just rejected by Princeton ORFE (Master of Science in Engineering)

I just checked Princeton's ORFE admission data from last year...

For MEng, they admitted 0 student out of 43 applicants. (not a typo... ZERO)

For MSE, they admitted 2 students out of 27 applicants.

For PhD, they admitted 17 students out of 199 applicants.

So it's not a shame that we got rejected by Princeton ORFE, they simply don't take that many students.

[testarossa]

I just checked Princeton's ORFE admission data from last year...

For MEng, they admitted 0 student out of 43 applicants. (not a typo... ZERO)

For MSE, they admitted 2 students out of 27 applicants.

For PhD, they admitted 17 students out of 199 applicants.

So it's not a shame that we got rejected by Princeton ORFE, they simply don't take that many students.

Thanks to your statistics that I won't feel depressed about being rejected by Princeton anymore. lol

If I want to have a career in IBD or consulting with firms like McKinsey or BCG (I don't want to be a quant), which is the better "cash cow" among those:

Stanford MS&E

Columbia MSOR

MIT SM ORC

Cornell IEOR

Edited February 26, 2010 by testarossa

[cinny]

I got into PhD at MIT ORC and Princeton ORFE. I already have a lot of information about faculty research and I will visit the schools soon. However, I'm interested in knowing what is the general opinion on each school? Like, name of the program, overall fame of the body of researchers, and such. Where would you choose and why? For me, I think it will boil down to fit in terms of research interests.

It seems like ORC is more focused on strictly classical OR problems where as ORFE is more varied in its research. Would you agree?

Hi caulfiedh. Congratulations on your admissions! They are both great and you can't go wrong! Do you mind sharing your profile with us?

Regarding your question, I though ORC is more varied than ORFE. Like the name suggests, ORFE (Operation Researchs & Financial Engineering) puts a lot of emphasis on finance applications of OR. The ORC on the other hand is quite broad (http://www.mit.edu/~orc/research/activities.html). I'm sure there's room for your interest at both though. Remember to consider the location too, since both choices are very good already. Princeton is a very pretty campus, and if you like quietness so that you can concentrate on working very hard, Princeton is great. MIT is in the middle of Cambridge/Boston, it has lots of student activities (for grad students too) and the city itself is good to live for a student.

[cinny]

I just checked Princeton's ORFE admission data from last year...

For MEng, they admitted 0 student out of 43 applicants. (not a typo... ZERO)

For MSE, they admitted 2 students out of 27 applicants.

For PhD, they admitted 17 students out of 199 applicants.

So it's not a shame that we got rejected by Princeton ORFE, they simply don't take that many students.

Thanks wifey99... Great information! Where did you find this?

[AggieLand]

I got into PhD at MIT ORC and Princeton ORFE. I already have a lot of information about faculty research and I will visit the schools soon. However, I'm interested in knowing what is the general opinion on each school? Like, name of the program, overall fame of the body of researchers, and such. Where would you choose and why? For me, I think it will boil down to fit in terms of research interests.

It seems like ORC is more focused on strictly classical OR problems where as ORFE is more varied in its research. Would you agree?

I reallly want to say congratulations to you. Would you like to show your porfile, like GPA, undergraduate school(assuming you are senior now), GRE, reserach experience.

[wifey99999999]

Are you concerned about your GRE scores?

Why should I be concerned? I am applying for Masters, not PhD. And I already received a lot of offers.

[wifey99999999]

Thanks wifey99... Great information! Where did you find this?

Princeton's grad school official website.

[wifey99999999]

No need to get offended. I guess I am basing my knowledge of MS "average admitted applicant" GRE scores off of Stanford's MS&E website. The verbal score for that program is unusually high...something like 620 V. Average writing scores fluctuate between 4.5-5. Q is 780+. No idea what the standard deviation is, but it an impressive average nonetheless.

Don't worry. I am not offended. I am still waiting on Stanford too. While they have high verbal score, they also have pretty high acceptance % (35% from last year,.. definitely better than Princeton's %). If they turn me down, that's all right. I already have a plan where I am going to accept...

Edited February 27, 2010 by wifey99999999

[CRISPR]

Don't worry. I am not offended. I am still waiting on Stanford too. While they have high verbal score, they also have pretty high acceptance % (35% from last year,.. definitely better than Princeton's %). If they turn me down, that's all right. I already have a plan where I am going to accept...

35% is a pretty high rate. Do you have any idea about PHD acceptance rate?

[wifey99999999]

35% is a pretty high rate. Do you have any idea about PHD acceptance rate?

They only published master's acceptance %.

[chimerical]

35% is a pretty high rate. Do you have any idea about PHD acceptance rate?

It depends on the concentration you apply for. The track I applied to (strategy) generally accepts one person per year but others are much larger.

[caulfieldh]

I don't think detailing my "stats" in specifics would really shed light on my acceptance. My GPA and GRE are high and I come from a big research university, but I believe my acceptance has more to do with my recommenders--what makes my application special--one of whom is world-renowned (like, really) and another is an upcoming researcher in OR-related topics with connections at these schools. That, and my success and interest in relevant graduate courses and some previous research experience.

So, I'm still wondering, in shallow terms, which program's name is bigger, MIT ORC or Princeton ORFE? I know some specifics about faculty but I'm just wondering about overall reputation.

[Deleted]

I don't think detailing my "stats" in specifics would really shed light on my acceptance. My GPA and GRE are high and I come from a big research university, but I believe my acceptance has more to do with my recommenders--what makes my application special--one of whom is world-renowned (like, really) and another is an upcoming researcher in OR-related topics with connections at these schools. That, and my success and interest in relevant graduate courses and some previous research experience.

So, I'm still wondering, in shallow terms, which program's name is bigger, MIT ORC or Princeton ORFE? I know some specifics about faculty but I'm just wondering about overall reputation.

Well, those are two among the top 5 names in the world I would say so trying to rank them is no easy task. I would personnaly think that MIT is bigger though I could not elaborate much on it, just a guts feeling. You can't get wrong with either, those are the dream schools for most everyone

[Deleted]

Someone posted an acceptance from UCLA DOTM, has anyone here heard back from them?

[hnnyly]

Someone posted an acceptance from UCLA DOTM, has anyone here heard back from them?

I also applied the DOTM program, but I did not receive anything from it. It just looks like I didn't apply this program.

[floyd]

I don't think detailing my "stats" in specifics would really shed light on my acceptance. My GPA and GRE are high and I come from a big research university, but I believe my acceptance has more to do with my recommenders--what makes my application special--one of whom is world-renowned (like, really) and another is an upcoming researcher in OR-related topics with connections at these schools. That, and my success and interest in relevant graduate courses and some previous research experience.

So, I'm still wondering, in shallow terms, which program's name is bigger, MIT ORC or Princeton ORFE? I know some specifics about faculty but I'm just wondering about overall reputation.

Just my two cents, MIT has a HUGE name recognition for anyone in engineering. It is the school to go to, and anyone who graduated from there will get a decent faculty position anywhere they please. Princeton is a newer program, OR started at MIT. Princeton does have the reputation of a great Math program, but its engineering is not respected among top tier engineering colleges. If you're asking for the best reputation, it is not even close, I would rank at least 7 schools above Princeton(Michigan, Cornell, Columbia, GaTech, Standford, Berkley, and MIT) and MIT is the top tier(from what I heard, Cornell and Standford are close, but MIT is top).

That being said, make sure you have a potential adviser who is nice and someone who you would like to work with. If not, your looking at a long, hard, frustrating 5-7 years.

[RoboTicks]

Hi All,

I am new to grad cafe and this is my first post.

I am aware that this thread has more PhD candidates than masters' aspirants. I would still seek some advice on choice of my graduate school.

I have my stats listed in "about me" section of my profile.I applied to masters' only because I didnt think I would get in a PhD program in the top schools and hence it would be a better option to go to a good school for MS and then reapply for PhD that going to an obscure school for PhD.

Please advise me on which programs(out of the ones applied) are better for IE in terms of:

1. Job prospects-usually what are the kinds of jobs that are offered to students with masters'?

2. Research quality--since my primary aim is to go on for a PhD? and usually it is easier to get on with a PhD in the same school than going to a new grad school.

My areas of interest are robotics and industrial/biomedical applications,healthcare, ergonomics and manufacturing systems.

I am awaiting decision from Purdue, TAMU, PSU and Gatech. But due to financial constraints it might be difficult for me to join Gatech (~$60K). Plus as earlier stated, the MS program at Gatech is 'CASH COW'. and they have explicitly stated no aid for masters' students.

Additionally as far as I know, Vatech(~$30K) is better than TAMU (~$25K). and as for PSU (~$40) and Purdue (~$38K) I will have to wait for decisions. (The approx. amounts are for international applicants for a period of one year) At other places, I believe there are chances of landing in TA/RA positions which will help defray costs.

Please advise me, especially on Vatech v/s PSU v/s Purdue.

Edited February 27, 2010 by StudentNSIT

[echoxg]

I also applied the DOTM program, but I did not receive anything from it. It just looks like I didn't apply this program.

I also applied to UCLA DOTM. Till now, I don't even know whether my materials are complete or not:(((((((((

[martizzle]

Hi all (that seems to be the formal greeting here lol),

This is really weird, I've been on gradcafe for the longest time (since March or so last year), and for some random reason, I am just now posting on this topic.

-- STATS --

Undergrad: Temple University (3 semesters, failed woefully - Computer Engr major

transferred to Lincoln University (Historically Black College/Univ. = HBCU = not really recognized for anything in academia) - Math & Physics majors, 3.59 general (not sure if grad schools care, bt subj GPAs: 3.91/math, 3.61/physics)

TA & RA for 3 years

Loads of REUs (Physics, Bio/Chem, Math, Computer Sci); Loads of presentations at conferences (pity I never went to an INFORMS conference); No publications

GRE: 620/V,770/Q, 3.5 writing

--

Downsides: Crappy academic intro to college; come from a HBCU (no name school); No research experience in OR; only gotten a BS (no previous graduate work - idk if this counts); low (in my opinion) GRE scores and I'm not too sure if by removing the names of professors whose research I liked (but didn't understand ) from my personal statement was a good idea - A less than perfect personal statement....

Upsides: I turned over a new leaf when I transferred to Lincoln University; research and teaching/tutoring experience

--

I honesty don't know what to do...I have 3 rejections, no admits, and waiting on UNC-Chapel Hill, Cornell, Columbia, George Mason.......I really want to study OR, and I'm afraid that if I don't get in anywhere this year, I may not have the chance to pursue OR again....ah well, so goes the life of an international student here in the US.

God, but can't some school just take pity on my poor soul and admit me with full funding??? Hearing/Seeing other people get admits, without actually getting one is beginning to bear down on me...I'm usually not the jealous type, but I can't help but wish all the schools I applied to can just let me know their decisions (hopefully, all positive)

Edited February 27, 2010 by martizzle

[ladysquirrel]

Anyone heard from MIT ORC operations research masters program? There is a rejection post on the results page, anyone could kindly verify that? I haven't heard anything from ORC......