Hi Everyone,

My name is Alberto Gennaro, and I am a fourth-year PhD student in the IEOR Department at UC Berkeley. I wanted to share with you why I love being part of this incredible community and why I think it’s an excellent place to pursue your studies. I hope you’ll take a moment to read this, and please feel free to reach out — I’d love to connect and answer any questions you might have!

When I was considering graduate school four years ago, I visited many U.S. campuses, but UC Berkeley stood out like no other. From the diverse architectural styles to the vibrant energy of the people you meet, every day feels inspiring, even when you’re just taking a stroll around campus. And for a tech enthusiast like me, the entire Engineering school serves as a constant reminder of the incredible advancements we've made in technology and innovation — and how much more we can achieve in the future.

Of course, one of the main reasons many choose a graduate program is the strength of its faculty and the depth of the learning experience it offers. At Berkeley IEOR, both are truly unparalleled. One of the highlights of my time here has been taking 262A with Professor Ilan Adler. His engaging lectures, particularly his stories about George B. Dantzig (who I would define as the man behind my major and, of course, a UC Berkeley professor), made a lasting impression. Professor Adler also uses diverse examples to illustrate his teachings, and his tennis examples made this course a personal favorite. It’s rare to find professors who blend the depth of technical material with such captivating narratives, but that’s the kind of faculty we have here at Berkeley IEOR.

What stands out most to me is the overall excellence of the department, including both fellow grad students and professors. Since I was very young, I’ve always believed that we thrive when we’re in the right environment, and that’s exactly why I think the IEOR PhD program is the best in the country. We have incredibly talented and motivated grad students, from whom you can learn a lot, and an outstanding, supportive faculty who are passionate about both research and teaching. They care not only about your development as a researcher but also as a person. Plus, the staff are always ready to help with anything, from bureaucratic issues to academic challenges we face throughout the year. In such an environment, you’re in the best possible position to fully realize your potential — to become that ‘best version of yourself’ we all aim for in our New Year’s resolutions!

The flexibility of the program is another major factor that contributed to my choice of the IEOR Department here at Cal. I define myself as an engineer, but I also love quantitative finance and optimization, and I was able to tailor my courses, minors, and research in ways that are rarely possible anywhere else in the world.

Finally, when you decide to start a PhD journey, it’s important to realize that it is, in most cases, a medium- to long-term commitment — it’s a life choice. In this regard, Berkeley, with its proximity to San Francisco and the Bay Area, offers a huge advantage over nearly every other school in the world. You are just a BART ride away from one of the most exciting, fun, and interesting cities in the world, where the great minds of our generation are working to make the world a better place. To me, this sounds like a dream!

I look forward to seeing you start your own dream here and contribute to this great department. In the meantime, I wish you the best of luck with the entire application process.

Best regards,
Alberto Gennaro