FAQ


  • Questions and Answers

How do I apply to the PhD or SM programs in OR?
What are the ORC application requirements for the PhD and SM programs?

Applications should include the following:

Can I apply for both the PhD and SM programs at the same time?

No, you cannot apply for both programs. You must chose one or the other.

You also cannot request to be considered for the SM program should you not be admitted to the PhD program.

When does the online application open up each year for the OR programs?

The ORC online application usually opens in mid-September.

What is the application deadline for admission?

The deadline for all applications is December 15 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Does the ORC admit for the spring?

No, we only offer admission for the fall term.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is currently $90. It must be paid by check drawn on a U.S. bank or by credit card if applying electronically.

Can the application fee be waived or deferred?

Applications will not be reviewed until the fee has been paid or waived.

Do I need to complete the “Academic History” section? If yes, what courses should I list?

Yes, you should complete this section (to the best of your ability) with all courses taken throughout your studies that are relevant to the OR application.

What do I indicate as the “Department” on the application form?

You should indicate “Operations Research Center” as the designated department.

How will I be notified of receipt of my application?

Students can check the status of their application on the “Application checklist” page within Slate.  Any missing materials should be submitted ASAP.

Can I submit supplemental materials by mail to include in my application?

We will not accept any additional materials to include with your application. If you have published papers and/or received awards, this information can be entered online.

What types of testing does the ORC require for admission?
  • We require an English Language Proficiency (ELP) test for all international students. This can be satisfied by taking the IELTS, TOEFL, and/or Duolingo English Test (DET).
  • The TOEFL score must be within the past two years.
Will the ORC Consider a waiver of the English Language Proficiency (ELP) test requirement (IELTS, TOEFL, and/or Duolingo English Test)?

All departments at MIT require a comprehensive knowledge of the English language. International applicants are required to submit the IELTS, TOEFL, and/or Duolingo English Test (DET) score with their application unless they meet one of the following criteria below.  If a student meets this criteria, the testing will be automatically waived. 

  1. Applicant’s primary language is English.
  2. Applicant attended an English-speaking college or university in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand and attained an undergraduate (or equivalent) degree from that institution within the last 5 years. 
  3. Student completed their Master’s degree from a US English speaking university.
What are the ELP Test score requirements for the ORC?

The minimum IELTS score required is 7.

The minimum TOEFL score required is 100 for the Internet-based test (iBT).

The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required is 135.

What is the institution code for reporting score reports to MIT?

The institution code for MIT is 3514.

Is the GRE exam required?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional. Applications submitted with a GRE score should not have any advantage over applications submitted without a GRE score.

Interfolio and similar services

Letters of recommendation cannot be submitted through Interfolio.  They need to be submitted through the direct link that it provided to the recommender by the student.

Do I have to include all three letters of recommendation with the application, or can these be sent separately?

We ask that you submit your letters of recommendation electronically via your application. You will be able to request a letter directly through the online application system.

Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?

Yes, however, we will accept no more than four letters of recommendation.

Are original transcripts required when applying to the ORC?

Original transcripts are not required when you apply to the ORC. Once admitted, you will be asked to send us an official copy of your transcripts, including all grades for the year. We will accept translations of transcripts issued by an institution or professional translating service, such as World Education Services (WES), however we would still need a copy of the transcript in the original language as well.

Where do I send my transcripts if I am admitted?

Send to the following address:

Laura A. Rose
Admissions Administrator

Operations Research Center
MIT/Room E40-107
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307

Can I upload an updated transcript after the application deadline?

Yes, if you go to your Application Status page you should see an option there to upload an updated transcript.

How are students funded at the ORC?

The majority of doctoral degree students receive funding in the form of a research assistantship (RA) during their years at the ORC. Master’s degree students are not guaranteed financial aid; however, we assist them in securing possible funding. Historically, our master’s in operations research students have received funding; our master’s in business analytics students do not receive funding.

How do students in the master’s degree (SM) in operations research program secure financial support for their studies?

Although SM students are not admitted to the program with a guarantee of financial support, the majority of the SM students are able to secure a research assistantship (RA) with a faculty member for their studies at MIT.  Students can meet with faculty during the two day Open House to discuss possible RA opportunities.  Or, if they are unable to visit, they can reach out to faculty of interest via email to discuss possible funding.

How are students paired up with faculty members for RA positions?

Admitted students are given the opportunity to meet with faculty during our Open House, which helps them find an advisor they would like to work with while at MIT. For those students who do not visit during the Open House, we will work with you to find an appropriate RA based on your research interests.

What is the review process?

The ORC forms an Admissions Committee to review the applications for our doctoral degree (PhD) in operations research and our master’s degree (SM) in operations research.  The committee consists of four to six current OR-affiliated faculty members.

When are admission decisions made? How will I be notified?

Admission decisions are usually made in late February and/or early March. You will be notified via email with your admission decision

Can I come in for an interview while my application is being reviewed?

The ORC does not hold interviews during the admissions process.

Can I find out my admission decision over the phone?

No, admission decisions will not be disclosed over the phone.

If I am accepted, can I defer the offer of admission? If yes, for how long?

In most cases, you are allowed to defer admission to the OR program for one year. However, this request is handled on a case-by-case basis. If you are admitted and would like to request a deferral, you must outline your reason for requesting the deferral in a letter to the co-directors. In some cases, admission may be deferred without a guarantee of financial support.

Can I visit the ORC?

Each year, we hold a two-day Open House for those students who have been offered admission. At that time, admitted students are invited to visit and meet with faculty and students. We do not arrange for visits for prospective students prior to admission decisions due to the number of applications we receive each year.

Can you give me an idea of my chances for admission based on my GPA?

We do not provide probabilities or chances of acceptance. In any case, it would not be fair to answer this question based on just scores. The Admissions Committee takes the entire application into consideration when making admission decisions.

Is there a minimum GPA required to apply?

No, we do not require a minimum GPA to apply. However, our applicants are usually very strong academically and in the top of their classes.

Are there any prerequisite courses for admission?

No, we do not require any specific courses for admission. However, many students who apply to the Center have a strong background in such advanced mathematics classes as calculus and linear algebra.

How many students apply to the ORC?

We receive more than 300 applications each year for the doctoral degree (PhD) and master’s degree (SM) in operations research. For the master’s degree (MBAn) in business analytics, we receive over 250 applications per year.

How many students are offered admission to the OR programs?

We usually make an offer of admission to 20-25 doctoral degree students and to 8-12 master’s degree students in operations research.

Do I need work experience to be admitted?

No, work experience is not a prerequisite for admission to the ORC programs.

How long does it take to complete the OR SM program?

It usually takes students two years to complete the master’s degree program in OR.

How long does it take to complete the OR PhD program?

It usually takes students four to five years to complete the doctoral degree program in OR.

Can I transfer from my current university to MIT’s ORC?

We do not consider transfer students separately. All applicants need to go through the standard admission process by submitting an application to the ORC.

Where do graduates of the ORC work after completing their degree programs?

Many of our graduates assume positions in academia, consulting, large corporations, research laboratories, manufacturing, or industry.

When should I arrive on campus?

We recommend that you arrive at least one week prior to Registration Day to get acquainted with the MIT campus and the Boston/Cambridge area. Our international students should arrive earlier to check in with the International Students Office and to sign up for our mandatory Immigration Information Session.

Am I required to take any type of Writing Exam once I’m enrolled in the ORC?

If you are a US Citizen/Permanent Resident, you will be required to take the Graduate Writing Examination (GWE) during the summer prior to your matriculation at MIT.  If you are an international student and you were unable to waive the English Language Proficiency (ELP) test requirement during the application process, you will be required to take the English Evaluation Test (EET) exam offered by MIT during the month of August prior to your matriculation.

When do I register for classes?
How can I find housing at MIT?
Do I have to use my MIT email address?

Yes, this MIT email address will be used throughout your career here at MIT. We often send important information and reminders to your email address, so please be sure to check it often.

Where can I get help with technical questions?

For technical questions concerning the ORC computing facilities, you should contact the current ORC student computer administrators. You’ll find their names and email addresses on the door of the ORC computer lab. If they are unavailable, you should bring your concerns to an ORC staff member.

What courses should I be taking?