LIFE AT THE ORC
The MIT ORC is made up of a supportive community of creative and talented students and faculty who work together to positively impact the world.
The Operations Research Center (ORC) at MIT is the recognized leader in operations research and analytics worldwide. As such, we seek applicants who aspire to make significant contributions to our global society in such areas as health care, finance, education, and transportation.
We receive hundreds of applications each year from the best and brightest students from across the U.S. and around the world. Of those, we offer admission to approximately 40 students for our three graduate programs:
- doctoral degree (PhD) in operations research
- master’s degree (SM) in operations research
- master’s degree (MBAn) in business analytics
Students accepted into our highly competitive programs are challenged to think creatively and work collaboratively—and to use data effectively to solve problems efficiently.
Applying to the PhD and SM in Operations Research programs
Applications for the PhD and SM in Operations Research degrees are found on MIT’s Graduate Admissions website.
Your application should include the following:
- standard MIT application form and fee
- Statement of Objectives
- transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and/or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores (if international). The ORC will also accept scores from the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- a short video essay to be recorded on the application website (see application for further instructions)
Applying to the Master in Business Analytics Program
Information and instructions on applying to the Master of Business Analytics program can be found on the MBAn website.
Transcripts
We do not require an official copy of your transcripts when you submit your application; however, if you are offered admission to the ORC, you will need to provide an official copy for verification purposes. Please send your transcripts to the following address:
Laura A. Rose
Academic Administrator
Operations Research Center
MIT/Room E40-107
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Letters of Recommendation
We ask that you submit electronically three letters of recommendation with your application. You will be able to request a letter directly through the online application system.
IELTS and/or TOEFL and GRE
We require the IELTS and/or TOEFL for all international students. Please submit your TOEFL scores using MIT’s Institution Code 3514. The minimum score requirements are as follows:
- 250 – computer-based test (CBT)
- 100 – Internet-based test (iBT)
We strongly encourage international applicants from non-English speaking countries to take the IELTS, with a minimum score of 7. Your IELTS scores should be sent directly to the ORC’s Graduate Admissions Coordinator:
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional. If you chose to do so, please submit your GRE scores using MIT’s Institution Code 3514. Applications submitted with a GRE score should not have any advantage over applications submitted without a GRE score.
Laura A. Rose
Academic Administrator
Operations Research Center
MIT/Room E40-107
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Deadlines and Fees
The application deadline is December 15, and we only offer admission for the fall term. The application fee is $90.
The Office of Graduate Education (OGE) is pleased to offer application fee waivers for US citizens and US permanent residents who qualify. For detailed information on the qualifications for the fee waiver, please visit the OGE Application Fee Waiver page.
For more information about our application process, please review our FAQs.
To learn more about the ORC’s course offerings and programs of study, please see the MIT course catalog.
For more information about the ORC and its graduate programs, please contact:
Laura A. Rose
Academic Administrator
Operations Research Center
MIT/Room E40-107
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Telephone: (617) 253-9303
E-mail: lrose@mit.edu
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