Student Testimonials

Through the PhD application process, I was familiar with the reputation of the Operations Research Center, but didn’t have a full appreciation of what it offers.  Now, as a student, it has become clear why the ORC is a special place.  I see my peers contributing a huge variety of research topics, and I have friendly conversations with faculty who are top researchers in their fields.  As a center (and not a department), many social activities, seminar series, and mentorship programs are organized by students.  This unique level of student engagement fosters a tight-knit community among students and with faculty. 

As an undergraduate operations research major, I felt well-equipped to begin research early in my graduate studies.  The ORC culture clearly prioritizes research from the start of the program.  Incoming students match with advisors before starting at MIT, which not only allows early pursuit of research, but guarantees it, and ensures that all students have a similar research experience in their first year.  Although the advisor matching process seemed daunting in advance, the additional certainty in advisor choice and research topics made me more confident in my choice of program and broadly in my decision to pursue a PhD.

Whenever I head to the ORC to work, I know that a number of my peers will also be around.  My desk (located near the entrance to the center) and the open floorplan encourage conversation, and I enjoy taking breaks from work to socialize, have a meal, or play ping-pong.  The ORC is located in Kendall Square, along with a number of businesses, restaurants, and academic buildings, including MIT Sloan.  The area has a young-professional feel, while Kendall and nearby Central Square provide a variety of social opportunities.  Overall, I have found that the ORC culture fosters a great blend of doing impactful work, making friends, and having fun.

I could not have imagined pursuing my PhD anywhere other than the ORC. I have been truly and thoroughly delighted by the unparalleled academic experience, the people that I’ve met, and the culture that I’ve become a part of. 

The ORC was everything I was looking for in a PhD program. Because you enter the program with an advisor, you explore and work on research projects from day one, and for me, this is where the ORC shined. Especially having been out of school and working for several years, I was eager to begin research but also a little nervous about transitioning smoothly back into an academic environment. The ORC has gone beyond and above in this sense; the courses have been thoughtful and well-designed, and the guidance and support from my advisor and fellow students have been incredibly helpful.

Where you pursue graduate studies will be your home for 4+ years, and so when applying to and choosing between programs, it is equally important to consider the program’s culture as it is to consider its academics. From welcome events and seminars to social gatherings and spontaneous office discussions on coursework and research (or on topics completely unrelated!), the ORC’s co-directors, faculty, and students have all made the ORC feel like home to me. Outside of the ORC, Boston and MIT are also wonderful places to call home. The university has boundless resources and opportunities for you to take advantage of, and the city offers many fun activities and nice restaurants to explore. I especially enjoyed organizing an overnight winter retreat to Killington Ski Resort with my fellow students and look forward to organizing many more.

The ORC was my dream program when I applied to graduate school. After more than a year here, I can confidently say it has exceeded my expectations.

At the ORC, people are engaged in cutting-edge research that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply impactful in practice. With the advisor matching process during open house, we are able to begin research with an advisor from day one. The guidance and support I’ve received from my advisor have reshaped how I approach research and life. I’ve learned what it means to produce meaningful research and how to effectively share it with the world. His dedication to creating positive change and the concrete ideas he brings to every discussion continue to inspire me. The mentorship from senior students has also been instrumental in helping me develop as a researcher and adjust to the life of a graduate student. 

What makes the ORC truly special is its close-knit, collaborative community. I enjoy coming into the office every day, even when I don’t have to be on campus, because of the inspiring conversations and supportive environment. Whether over coffee with a fellow student or during group discussions, the ORC continually fosters growth, curiosity, and collaboration.

Like many prospective students, MIT ORC was my graduate department of choice, because of the world-leading, application-centered research it conducts. I was understandably overjoyed upon learning of my acceptance to the department, and this enthusiasm was further reinforced at the Open House (in April for prospective students), when we all had the opportunity to meet with faculty about their research interests, and mingle with current students and learn more about their lives. The warm welcome I received at the Open House by faculty, staff and students was another big reason I wanted to join the department. 

Looking back, the good things I heard about the ORC culture at the Open House were certainly true. The office is a space in which students can work independently (either at their assigned desks or in individual study rooms), collaborate in shared study rooms, and socialize or just hang out. The office is also where events are conducted, such as student seminars and social events organized by the INFORMS student chapter. I am constantly surrounded by peers who are incredibly smart and kind, and the ORC is definitely a place where cooperation comes first and strong friendships are formed.

The greater Boston area is a very livable city and is a great place to pursue graduate study in. There is a network of bicycle lanes together with a subway and bus network that makes car ownership not necessary. In my free time, I run along the nearby Charles river (weather permitting), explore the city, and watch free concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The many sides of Boston include a bustling entertainment scene, a wealth of nature spots within a short drive away, and flagship sports arenas. MIT also has a huge gym free for all MIT members!

All of this provides a great environment in which to do good work. At MIT, particular emphasis is placed on doing research with both theoretical significance and measurable impact. Faculty often have industry collaborations with leading firms in the US and globally, so you get the chance to work directly on meaningful problems which can have immediate societal impact. My current research develops new methodological tools in optimization, in order to solve difficult problems in logistics and transport at scale. This is a issue I feel strongly about and am happy to be working on. The diverse and comprehensive research interests among the faculty mean that you can definitely find an advisor whose research interests align with yours. Of course, similar research interests should not be your only criteria in deciding on your research advisor; it is also important to find an advisor whose working styles match yours and with whom you would be excited to embark on an academic journey. Please feel free to reach out to current students to learn more!