Application
The application process is entirely online through the Cornell University Graduate School. Applications must be submitted through the Cornell Graduate School to be considered for admission to our Ph.D.
The Cornell Graduate School offers application fee waivers to qualified students through the payment page of the online application form.
Eligibility and Qualification
Our students come from many backgrounds including engineering, mathematics, computer science, mathematical economics, or one of the physical sciences. We don’t expect incoming students to be fluent in every aspect of operations research, nor do need an undergraduate degree in operations research to apply. Incoming students should have some background in computing and an undergraduate calculus-based probability course is helpful.
Deadline
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January 5
Deadline for fall admission to the Ph.D. program is January 5 of that same year. We do not process admissions for the spring semester. Please note: Admission decisions for the fall semester are processed from February 1 through April 15, and will be sent via electronic mail as soon as the decisions are made. Decisions are not processed all at one time.
Required Admissions Items for Ph.D. Applicants
Do not submit any hard copy materials of any kind, they will not be considered or added to your online application materials.
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Academic Statement of Purpose
Detail your academic background and research interests, along with specific faculty members you are interested in working with.
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Personal Statement
Describe how your personal background has influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion and belonging.
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English Language Proficiency Scores
All foreign nationals whose native language is not English are required to submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score.
Please visit the Graduate School website for information on the English Language Exam Requirement.
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Unofficial Transcripts
An unofficial transcript from each university you have attended is required for submission. The transcript(s) must be in english. You will upload your transcript(s) yourself in your online application. For more information, please consult the Graduate School’s Transcript Requirements webpage.
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Letters of Recommendation
A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required. At least two (2) of the letters should be submitted by faculty members familiar with you and your background. Electronic recommendation requests are generated within the process of submitting the online application.
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GRE
We do not require GRE scores.
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Notes
- The proposed degree program is operations research (Ph.D.)
- The major subjects or concentrations for Ph.D. students are: manufacturing systems engineering; applied probability and statistics; mathematical programming.
- We do not have an approved concentration in financial engineering. However, we do have faculty specializing in that area that students can work with.
Financial Aid
Admission to the Ph.D. program is based solely on academic merit and financial need plays no role in the admission procedure. Completed applications will be automatically considered for financial aid.
Substantial financial aid is available to outstanding Ph.D. applicants. Almost all students admitted to the Ph.D. program receive financial aid in the form of a full tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance, either from a fellowship, research assistantship or teaching assistantship. Full stipends are given for nine months; additional summer support is usually available.