Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We receive an enormous volume of email with application-related questions, so we ask that you please read this website carefully before sending us email. If you do not find an answer to your question, then contact us by .

How do I apply?
To apply, submit an online application. Once you register with a valid email address, you can log on as frequently as you need to fill out your application data. Submit the application when it is complete.

What is the full application process?

Details of each step are included within this FAQ and within the online application, but in summary:

You complete and submit an online application.
You submit Official and valid GRE and TOEFL (if required) scores to Columbia University (code 2111).
You mail ONE official transcript to the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (SEAS) Graduate Student Services. Please see below for the address.
The departmental Admissions Committee members review your application.
Your application is flagged with a decision: rejected or recommended-for-admission.
You are automatically emailed that decision.
If accepted, your application is forwarded to the SEAS Graduate Student Services.
Your official transcripts and test scores are checked, and if everything is in order, the SEAS Graduate Student Services Office will send you an official acceptance package by mail.

What official documents and information do I need in support of my application?

One copy of your official transcript
Official and valid GRE and TOEFL or IELTS (if required) scores

These documents should be mailed to:

IEOR Admissions
Office of Graduate Student Affairs
Columbia University
The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
500 West 120th Steet,
Rm. 254 Engineering Terrace
New York, NY 10027
USA

Who should I contact to confirm the receipt of my official documents?
Due to the high volume of inquiries, requests to check the receipt of materials cannot be granted. The application is reviewed online, and if materials are missing, the Graduate Admissions Office will contact you by email.

What are the application deadlines?
Application deadlines vary between programs - please click here for more information.

Can I apply for admission to the Summer semester?
No, we do not accept students in the summer. The only program that starts in July is the Master of Science in Financial Engineering program; all other programs start in late August or January (for Spring admission).

I am currently a graduate student in another department in SEAS. May I transfer to your department?
No, you must apply using the online application for the next available semester. In the interim, you may want to consider taking the following courses: Introduction to Probability and Statistics (SIEO W4150), Introduction to Deterministic Models (IEOR E4004), and, if you have a background in probability, Introduction to Stochastic Models (IEOR E4106). If you do not complete your original degree program, you may be able to apply some of your coursework to a degree in our department.

May I provide you with any background information about myself, such as GPA, education/experience, and or test score results to learn about my chances for admission or possibility for financial aid before applying?
Unfortunately, we cannot evaluate your candidacy prior to submission of a complete application. If you are interested in admission we encourage you to submit a complete application along with the required documents.

What standardized exams are required for admission?
In order to apply to the IEOR graduate programs, you MUST submit GRE scores. GRE scores are valid for five (5) years from the time which they were taken. We do not accept GMAT scores. The TOEFL or IELTS exam is required for all applicants who have received their undergraduate degree in a country where English is not the official spoken language (regardless of whether all or part of your education has been taught in English). TOEFL scores are valid for two (2) years.

Do I have to take the GRE Test before applying?
Yes. Your application will not be reviewed without your GRE test scores in the online application.

What are the GRE and TOEFL institutional codes for the Columbia University Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research?
Use the Columbia University code 2111. It is not necessary to enter the department code.

Is there a minimum General GRE Test score?
No. However, most admitted applicants have scores of 650 or higher on the Quantitative section of the test, and 2.5 or higher on the Analytical section of the test.

What TOEFL test scores are required?
For the computer-based TOEFL test, a total score of 250 or higher out of 300 is preferred. For Internet-based TOEFL test, a total score of 100, and for the paper-based TOEFL test, a total score of 600, are preferred.

What IELTS test scores are required?
The preferred IELTS score for admission is 7. Based on the American Language Program (ALP) Test Concordance, IELTS scores of 7 or higher are equivalent to ALP's English proficiency level 10. Applicants admitted with an IELTS score below 7 might be required to enroll in an ALP course. For more information about IELTS, please visit: http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx.

My TOEFL and/or GRE scores will expire right around the time of M.S. application deadline. Do I need to retake the exam?
We highly recommend you to retake the test as your test scores must be valid for the admissions review.

How long are my TOEFL and/or GRE scores valid for?
TOEFL scores are valid from two years from the date the test was taken. GRE scores are valid for five years.

I have entered my TOEFL and GRE test scores on my online application. Do I still have to submit an official score report to Columbia?
Yes, you must submit your self-reported, unofficial scores on your application and request that official score report be sent by ETS directly to Columbia University.

I have sent my official TOEFL and GRE test scores to the specified address. Do I still have to report the scores on online application?
Yes, you must complete the test score sections of the online application. Otherwise, your application will be considered an incomplete application.

My transcripts are not in English. What should I do?
Your transcripts need to be translated by your academic institution or an official and notarized transcription agency. This is your responsibility and the IEOR Department cannot provide referrals.

My course grades on my undergraduate transcript are based on a different scale from Columbia’s. What can I do?
You may have your transcript converted to the GPA scale by your academic institution or an appropriate agency (GPA is on a 0-4 scale) before sending it to the SEAS Graduate Student Services. It is your responsibility to find an agency that can do this conversion for you.

For the online application, though, you can enter an approximate conversion of your percentage grade. There are many websites that help you with grade conversion, and one of them is available through WES. Please note that we do not recommend this site over other ones.

For instructions of calculating GPA, you can check the Columbia Registrar's website.

Do I need a four-year degree?
Yes. If you have studied in a country where the educational system awards bachelor degrees after only three years (e.g., India, Singapore, Australia, etc.), we typically require at least a year of additional study.

My recommenders cannot submit their letters of recommendation electronically. Can I have them sent as hard copies via mail?
We require electronic submission of recommendations. Paper copy letters of recommendation will not be accepted and exceptions cannot be made.

What is the deadline for the arrival of the recommendations supporting my application?
The deadline for the arrival of the recommendations is the same as the deadline for the submission of the application. However, it is acceptable for your recommendations to arrive just a few days (e.g., a week or two) after this deadline. Be aware, though, that your application will not receive full consideration until all recommendations have been received.

Can my recommenders send letters of recommendation using Hotmail or Yahoo email addresses?
The email address should correspond to the main institution (e.g., university, company) with which the recommendation provider is affiliated. Please avoid entering email addresses from providers such as Yahoo!, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.

Who should I ask for recommendation letters?
For MS applicants: It is recommended that at least one of the three recommendation letters be from a current or former professor who has taught you in a related subject. It is sometimes preferred to have a letter from an internship or a full-time job supervisor.

For PhD applicants: It is usually best to ask professors from your current or most recent academic institution. Research supervisors are strongly preferred over classroom teachers, unless the course(s) involved a substantial project. Otherwise, it is better to obtain letters from faculty who gave you high grades. Obtain letters from regular faculty members if at all possible, rather than from adjuncts, staff, or graduate students. Supervisors from summer internships, particularly research labs, are also good choices. However, applicants returning to school after several years away from academia should submit recommendations from work supervisors and advanced colleagues, preferably those who hold a graduate degree and/or have published articles in major research forums. It is less useful in these circumstances to request letters from former professors who have had no contact with you in many years. It is not recommended that you submit "character references" from people with no academic or research experience or from persons who are unfamiliar with your academic credentials or with your technical, research, or teaching experience or with your qualifications and research potential. Do not write your own letters. It is generally useful for your references to include in their letters information about their own background (e.g., whether they hold a Ph.D. degree themselves and from what school, whether they have held a faculty position in the past at a major university, and so on).

How long should my personal statement be?
There is no minimum or maximum length for the personal statement, although the committee does appreciate brevity. The statement serves as both a writing sample and an opportunity for you to explain why you are applying and anything that may be unclear elsewhere in your application.

Do I need to submit the financial document along with my application?
You will be asked to submit the financial statement after you are accepted into the program. So, there is no need for you to submit it before the decision is made.

Can I come in for an interview?
You will be contacted by Admissions Committee if an interview is needed to make a decision on your application. Interviews are not required.

I’m having problems entering data and/or uploading documents in the online application system, what can I do?
Make sure your internet browser is the most up-to-date version as possible; older versions can cause problems with the system. Try working on a different computer if your problems persist. Make sure you are not attempting to upload non-supported file formats. If you still have a problem, please notify the .

I am not sure if I have submitted my application correctly. How can I check?
Please log into the application system. You will be able to see the contents of each of your application's sections, and check whether the data matches what you intended. You can change your application even after having "submitted" it.

Do all of my application materials need to be submitted online?
Most of your application materials must be submitted online. The only exceptions are: (1) your official transcripts and (2) your official TOEFL and GRE test scores. The official transcripts should be mailed to the mailing address specified in the "Transcripts" section of the online application system. The official test scores should be sent to us directly by ETS using the appropriate school code, as specified in the "Test Scores" section of the online application system. All other materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted electronically. Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions to this rule.

What if I don't have the latest version of Mozilla or Microsoft Internet Explorer? Will the online application still work for me?
Please try filling out the application using your current browser. If you run into any problems, we strongly suggest that you upgrade your browser and install the latest version of Mozilla or Internet Explorer. We cannot support older browsers, unfortunately.

My password will not work. Why?
Passwords are case-sensitive, so check your "caps lock" key. If you are still unable to login, then have the application system send you a new password to the email address that you provided. You can do this by just filling out your email address, with no password, in the main login page of the application system.

When will I receive a decision on my application?
The Committee reviewers evaluate all applications and make admission decisions. As soon as that decision is made, you will be notified by email to the address specified on your online application.

I submitted my application a while ago and still have not heard about a decision yet. Has a decision been made?
If you have not received the email notification yet, that means the application is still being evaluated. As soon as a decision is made, you will be notified automatically via email by the application system. Due to the high volume of applications, we request that you do not contact the department inquiring about the decision.

If I have been denied admission, may I receive feedback on the reasons behind this decision?
Unfortunately, the volume of applications that we receive every year makes it impossible for us a) to admit all of the highly qualified persons who apply to our programs or b) to provide specific feedback on our decisions. We understand that the application process is extremely stressful, and we deeply regret that we cannot provide specific reasons why individual applicants were not accepted into the program.

I have been offered admission to the M.S. program. Yet my situation has changed, and I want to enroll in a later semester. What should I do?
You will have to reactivate your application and pass the review process again. Your online application and official documents are held for maximum of 12 months from your original submission date and can be reactivated once within this time without repaying the application fee. To do this, click on the reactivation link in the online application system and specify your desired semester of entry. Columbia's Engineering School does not allow admission deferrals.

I want to apply for admission for the Fall or Spring semester in one year’s time or more, but I cannot see my semester of choice in the online system. What can I do?
Applications are only accepted up to a maximum of two semesters in advance. Check back at a later date when your semester of choice will be activated to receive applications.

I was denied admission. Can I reactivate my application?
No, you cannot reactivate your rejected application. You can reapply to the program by creating a new online application. Also, if you choose to reapply, please send us new supplemental materials. Please be aware that you will need to pay the application fee again when you create a new application.

I am reactivating my M.S. application. Do I need to submit my test scores?
If you have previously applied to an IEOR graduate program and submitted official scores the first time through ETS (and those scores are still valid), then you do not need to resubmit them with your current application. If your test scores have expired as of the new application deadline date, then you need to retake the exam and submit those new scores.

I applied to the Ph.D. program, but I have received a notice that I have been admitted to the Masters program. What does this mean?
Your application to the Ph.D. program was unsuccessful and on your application form you indicated that you would consider admission to the Masters program if you were denied admission as a Ph.D. student.

I applied for the Ph.D. program, was unsuccessful, and have been offered a place on the Masters program. If I join the Masters program, can I reapply for the Ph.D. program later?
Yes, after entering the M.S. program, you can re-apply for the Ph.D. program the following year.

What is Columbia Video Network (CVN)?
CVN is the graduate distance learning program of Columbia University's School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS). CVN enables students globally to pursue residency-free, fully accredited engineering courses and degree programs completely via the Internet, allowing students to view their lectures anytime and anywhere.

If you are interested in the distance learning program, please visit their website here.

What type of students do you look for?
The Columbia IEOR graduate programs look for candidates with a background in engineering, mathematics, computer science, statistics, economics, finance, or other similar quantitative fields.

What are the admission requirements?
All applicants to our graduate programs should have a solid foundation in mathematics, including multivariate calculus, linear algebra (MATH V2010 or its equivalent) and probability and statistics (SIEO W3600 or its equivalent).

When will I know the decision?
PhD and MSFE applicants will be notified of their admissions decision or contacted for more information no later than the third week of February. MS-MS&E, MSIE and MSOR applicants for the Fall semester will be notified of their admissions decision or contacted for more information no later than the third week of March.

Can I defer admission?
Columbia's Engineering School does not allow admission deferrals. Applications will be reviewed the following year when a reactivation form is submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Please note that admission is not guaranteed. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for further information and the reactivation form.

Do you recommend preparatory math classes?
For applicants who have not taken a math course for several years, we do recommend some type of refresher course in order to excel in the program. If you are required to take a math course as part of conditional acceptance to the program, we will accept the grades from any accredited college or university. For high quality courses offered online, we recommend Columbia Video Network.

Are there any specific pre-requisite courses I need to have taken before applying?
No, as long as the above requirements are met.

Is there a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) for application?
Yes, a 3.0 (out of 4) GPA is preferred. Most successful applicants have a GPA higher than 3.0. Please see below regarding converting percentage grades to the GPA system.

Is work experience required?
For MS applicants: While not required, we do recommend that prospective students have some professional experience, either in the form of a full time position or an internship.

For PhD applicants: For PhD studies, research experience is more valuable than work experience.

Is financial assistance from the department available for graduate studies?
The Department does not offer financial assistance for M.S. students. Departmental financial aid is reserved for support of Ph.D. students. For more information about financial aid, please click here. Interested students may want to also consider applying for a Course Assistantship upon arrival.

What kind of professional development opportunities are there within the department?
The Department encourages all students to engage in professional development activities including professional etiquette workshops, interview workshops, taped mock interviews, resume workshops, employer presentations, industry speaker events, networking socials, recruiting events, etc. These initiatives are largely sponsored and offered by the IEOR Department and/or the Columbia University Center for Career Education. Please click here for more information.

Where can I find more information about careers after IEOR?
This information, including a listing of companies where our graduates work after graduation, can be found here.

How long does it take to complete the MS program?
Students can easily complete the MS program in two semesters by taking 15 points (usually five courses) per semester. Students also have the option to complete the program three semesters by taking fewer courses each semester, which costs less per semester, and allows for part-time employment.

Is housing available for accepted graduate students?
Housing questions should be directed to University Apartment Housing. Their contact information can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ire/ . While not guaranteed, all admitted PhD students have been offered housing in the past.

Can I study part time?
MSIE- and MSOR-degree programs are the only programs that can be completed on a part-time basis. The PhD, MSFE and MSEMS programs are full time only. However, please be aware that many of the classes begin at 4:10 p.m. or earlier.

How can I apply for the combined M.S./M.B.A. program?
Students interested in the combined M.S./M.B.A. programs (available for Financial Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research) must apply to both programs separately, meeting the application requirements for both programs. If accepted to both, the combined program is designed to be completed in 5 semesters instead of 6 semesters.

Can I apply to the doctoral program if I do not have an MS degree?
Yes, if you do not have your M.S. degree, you should apply for the M.S.-Ph.D. program. However, the IEOR Department will allow you to enroll in the doctoral level courses in preparation for the Ph.D. program.

May I transfer credits from my current school towards a graduate degree at Columbia?
No. Transfer credits from other institutions are not counted toward the M.S. degree at Columbia. Students must complete the entire M.S. degree (minimum 30 credits) at Columbia.

What non-degree study options are available, who should apply, and how?

The following categories exist for non-degree/special students:

Non-degree/Special - Qualified persons who are not interested in a degree program but who wish only to take certain courses may be permitted to register as special students, provided facilities are available.
One-Term Special - This category exists primarily for those who are interested in a particular field, but are uncertain if they would like to complete an entire degree program and those who have begun the application process but need more time to fulfill all application requirements.
Columbia Video Network (CVN) / Distance Learning - Individuals who find it difficult or impossible to attend classes on the Columbia campus may be able to receive instruction from the School through the Columbia Video Network without leaving their work sites. Individuals interested in this program should read the section describing the CVN programs on the CVN Website.
School of Continuing Education - Visiting undergraduate, graduate, and high school students with qualifying academic records are welcome to study on a nondegree basis at Columbia through the School of Continuing Education during the academic year and summer. For more information, please click here.

SEAS Department Website

Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Application Questions

GRE and TOEFL Test Scores

Transcripts

Recommendation Letters and Personal Statement

Financial Support Document

Interviews

Technical Problems

Decision

Reactivation

Being forwarded to the MS application pool from the PhD application pool

Columbia Video Network

Admissions Questions

Financial Aid

Career Information

Student Life

Miscellaneous