This year the Operations Research Center received a large number of applications from outstanding candidates, and we are in the unfortunate situation of having many more qualified applicants than we have spaces in our program. Therefore, even though your credentials are very strong, we regret that we are unable to offer you admission to the interdepartmental graduate degree program in Operations Research. Thank you for your interest in the Operations Research Center and for the information you provided in support of your application. We wish you great success in pursuing your graduate education.

TPB: You are right. I think the email was sent to everyone as an "FYI". Perhaps it is sent out before the committee comes together to review applications.

It's heartbreaking, you know. It really is.

I also haven't heard back and I received the same email about transcripts. My assumption is that email was sent to everyone? Is that not the case?

I am very sorry to inform you that we are unable to admit you into our graduate program for 2020. We have received many excellent applications from outstanding students such as yourself. Unfortunately, we have limited openings and the number of applications exceeds these openings quite significantly.

2 papers in top-tier conference and reasonably good grades. 6th reject :(

I haven't heard back and yes, I received this email. Btw, how many of us haven't heard back?

To those who haven't heard back: Did you get this email from ORC in late january? "Your submission included informal copies of one or more scores/transcripts. While we will use these informal copies to review your application, note that, if you are offered admission to the OR Center, we will require that you provide us with official versions of these documents"

Didn't even get an email - portal is updated though. "Thank you for your application to the EECS Graduate Program at MIT. Unfortunately we are unable to offer you admission at this time. We wish you the best as you pursue your educational goals."

Well, whole system is corrupt to start with. Gamble and move on. Relieved of the social expectations for an "MIT graduate" to "make an impact and change the world".

No hope

Expected :