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When should I apply?

On-line applications (and all accompanying credentials) for the fall semester are due by January 15 of the same year, however, they can be submitted any time prior to January 15 and are best submitted near the end of the calendar year. Applicants who are currently undergraduates should include transcripts reflecting their fall semester grades if possible. Applications for the spring semester are due by September 15 of the prior year.

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Should I ask about my chances for admission and/or financial aid before sending in an application?

The ORIE M.Eng. program does not prescreen candidates for admission or financial aid. Please do not send emails, résumés, etc., requesting an assessment of your chances. We are happy to respond to specific questions not covered in this FAQ.

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How can I obtain an application form and recommendation form?

Application materials can be obtained from the Graduate School.  You will be required to apply online. 

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Can I apply online?

Yes. Application materials can be obtained from the Graduate School.

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How much does it cost to apply?

The online application fee is $70-$80, and can be paid via credit card.

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Can I have the application fee waived?

In cases of extreme financial need the Graduate School will consider a request for a fee waiver. A letter of request for a waiver and supporting documentation of need, such as a letter from a college financial aid office, must be submitted to the Cornell Graduate School.

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When will I learn whether or not I have been admitted?

Applications are not reviewed until all your transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, prerequisite page, scores, and the application itself have been received. If you apply by the deadline, most decisions are made by April 1.

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Can I transfer credit from another institution?

We do not accept transfer credit.

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What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) required?

The College of Engineering, of which we are a part, sets a minimum grade point average of 2.7 for admission. In recent years, demand in ORIE has effectively raised this level above 3.0. However admission is based on the entire application, not on a fixed grade point cutoff. An effort is made to interpret grades from schools other than Cornell on a comparable basis to Cornell undergraduate grades. The maximum GPA at Cornell is 4.3. Applicants from schools using other grading systems (for example, some schools outside of the United States) can report GPA scores on the Cornell basis, but should also report the original GPA, backed up by an official transcript.

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Must I take the GRE?

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores must be submitted by applicants, through the testing agency system, unless they have completed or are completing an undergraduate degree at Cornell. Scores should be reported to code 2098, which is Cornell's code number. You may submit a photocopy as a temporary record, but the official scores must be reported to code 2098 as soon as possible afterwards.

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What are the minimum required GRE scores?

Applicants who have taken the GREs and are accepted into the program almost all have a Quantitative score in excess of 740, have scored in a high percentile in the Analytical portion, and have above-average Verbal scores.

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Can I use GMAT scores instead of GRE scores?

GMAT scores cannot be substituted for GRE scores. Admissions personnel in the program do not have experience in interpreting GMAT scores.

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What is the minimum TOEFL score for non–native English speakers?

While some of the general Master of Engineering literature lists a different minimum score, a score of 100 internet based, 250 computer-based (or 600 paper-based) ) is the absolute minimum for the M.Eng. in ORIE, and a higher score than that is highly desirable.  Admission is not possible without having the minimum score in each category as set by the Cornell University Graduate School:  Writing:20, Listening:15, Reading:20, Speaking:22.  The program is taught in English and interactions with teammates and clients are in English. To the extent that the TOEFL is an imperfect test of proficiency in speaking and understanding spoken English, an assessment of these skills by a native English speaker (e.g., in a letter of recommendation) also carries weight in the admission process. TOEFL scores should be reported to code 2098, which is Cornell's code number. TOEFL scores are good for two years.

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Must I have work experience in order to qualify for the program?

It is not necessary to have work experience. The majority of students in the program do not have full-time work experience beyond summer internships. Applicants who have relevant work experience or are interested in changing careers are encouraged to apply if they have the necessary prerequisite courses and excellent mathematical skills. The joint M.Eng./MBA combination is especially appropriate for experienced applicants.

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Should I submit a résumé?

If you have a résumé submit it with the application, since it can sometimes be useful in conveying valuable information that does not fit naturally on the application form. A résumé is not required.

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What academic records should I submit?

Your undergraduate transcript and transcripts for any graduate work you have taken should be submitted, in a sealed envelope from the registrar of the institution. If the transcript is not in English, provide an official translation. If the grading system is not based on letter grades corresponding to a 4 or 4.3 point scale, try to provide information that would facilitate a translation into that scale. Do not submit secondary school (high school, preparatory school) records or detailed faculty reports. If you submit project reports, portfolios, or other work products they will not be read. Publications should be listed in a résumé or other supplementary document but need not be sent to us. Do not put your application in a folder or enclose it in special presentation covers, since such things must be removed before evaluation.

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On the application form, what should I list as "Proposed field of study"?

Operations Research (or Operations Research and Information Engineering).

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What should I list as "Major subject, area of concentration, or minor"?

List one of the concentrations or minors in ORIE (Applied Operations Research, Manufacturing, Information Technology, Semester in Strategic Operations, Financial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Mining, and Analytical Marketing.) You are not required to list a concentration or minor. Listing a concentration or minor does not commit you to pursue that selection once admitted. However it may be helpful in assuring a place in those areas that are limited by capacity.

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How do I list an alternative field of study, subject, or concentration?

If you wish to be considered by another M.Eng. program at Cornell in the event that you are not admitted to your proposed field of study, indicate that in your statement of purpose.

This information is reviewed only if you are not admitted to your proposed field of study, in which case your application is forwarded to the alternative field of study to be considered with other applications to that field of study.

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What information should I include about school I have attended or am now attending?

Make sure to include the name of the institution, the dates attended, the grade point average (with the base, i.e.,16.64/20.00 or 3.6/4.3), the field of study for the degree, the date received, the language of instruction, and your class rank within the field of study or within the institution. If space is insufficient to write these legibly, use a supplementary page.

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Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation?

The ideal recommender knows you and is known (by reputation, position, or previous contact) to the admissions committee. We prefer to have at least one written recommendation from a teacher who knows your capabilities. Recommendations from employers or work supervisors should be as specific as possible about what you have accomplished. Recommendations from peers are usually of less value.

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Should I send more than one copy of paperwork, or send copies to more than one address?

No.

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How can I reduce the chances that my application materials might be misfiled?

Make sure your name is on each of the loose credentials (transcripts, paper letters of recommendation, prerequisites page) you submit by postal mail. Loose credentials are filed by last (family) name, so make sure all materials are consistent with respect to this name.

If there is a chance that we might receive applications from others with very similar names, include your birth date on each piece of paper as well.

All loose credentials sent via postal mail should be sent directly to the

School of ORIE
201 Rhodes Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

DO NOT mail these items to the Cornell Graduate School as your application may be delayed.

Applications are not reviewed until all supporting materials have been filed.

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What if circumstances change after I accept admission and I will not be registering in the semester for which I applied?

If you have accepted any financial aid from Cornell, the rules of the Council of Graduate Schools to which Cornell belongs require that you cannot accept an offer of admission from another institution without obtaining a written release from us. If you would like to defer admission to a later time, this must be requested via postal mail and you will receive a response by postal mail. If deferral is granted, this does not guarantee a place in a subsequent year, although every effort will be made to make one available to you. If you do not come to Cornell in the original or later semester, the deposit paid with your acceptance of admission is forfeited. If you will not be able to attend, it is important that you contact us as soon as possible, so that your place can be allocated to another applicant.

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