FAQ Overview
The following FAQ address questions that prospective applicants have raised about Cornell's Master of Engineering program in Operations Research and Information Engineering. We are happy to respond by email to specific questions not covered in this FAQ and to engage in email dialogue where clarification is needed. This FAQ is an informal listing. In the event of conflicts with official publications, those documents govern.
Questions and answers in this section have been organized into pages by topic. Click any topic heading to go to its page. The questions in each topic are listed here for your reference.
Use these links to skip to topic listings on this page:
Program Questions | General Questions | Tuition and Financial Aid
Admission | Recruiting and Placement | Miscellaneous Questions
Click on any link below to go to the page or question that it refers to:
- How long does the program take?
- When does the program start?
- Can I begin the program in the spring semester?
- Do I need an undergraduate degree in Operations Research or Information Engineering (ORIE) to take the M.Eng.?
- Does my undergraduate degree qualify me for the program?
- Where does the program take place?
- What courses are prerequisites for the program?
- What is the difference between a Master of Science (M.S.) degree and a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree?
- What are the program concentrations and minors?
- What is the difference between the Manufacturing minor and the Semester in Strategic Operations (SSO) concentration?
- Must I select a concentration or minor?
- Are there any special prerequisites for the Financial Engineering concentration?
- How can I get a description of the courses (classes) included in the program?
- How much does the program cost?
- Can I get a tuition waiver?
- How can I qualify for financial aid?
- Can I get a Teaching Assistantship in the School of ORIE?
- Can I get a Teaching Assistantship elsewhere in the University?
- Can I get a Research Assistantship?
- What is meant by “merit-based aid''?
- Are part-time jobs available on campus?
- When should I apply?
- Should I ask about my chances for admission and/or financial aid before sending in an application?
- How can I obtain an application form and recommendation form?
- Can I apply online?
- How much does it cost to apply?
- Can I have the application fee waived?
- When will I learn whether or not I have been admitted?
- Can I transfer credit from another institution?
- What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) required?
- Must I take the GRE?
- What are the minimum required GRE scores?
- Can I use GMAT scores instead of GRE scores?
- What is the minimum TOEFL score for non–native English speakers?
- Must I have work experience in order to qualify for the program?
- Should I submit a résumé?
- What academic records should I submit?
- On the application form, what should I list as "Proposed field of study'"?
- What should I list as "Major subject, area of concentration, or option"?
- How do I list an alternative field of study, subject, or concentration?
- What information should I include about school I have attended or am now attending?
- Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation?
- Should I send more than one copy of paperwork, or send copies to more than one address?
- How can I reduce the chances that my application materials might be misfiled?
- What if circumstances change after I accept admission and I will not be registering in the semester for which I applied?