Does anyone here have any experience or thoughts on the Harvard real estate program? I know it is technically a Masters of Design degree, but it appears you can take courses in the business school, law school and at MIT which is interesting. Just wondering what the placement is like out of the program.
Thanks.
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I would assume employers would cream themselves seeing Harvard on your resume.
Edit: Outdated
Undergrad degrees in Finance & Accounting.
I know a guy that did this and specialised in real estate finance/development and he's at Blackstone now.
From their website:
Real Estate Finance and Investment
This sub-concentration prepares graduates for careers in real estate investment and finance. It combines analytical skills in investment and finance with an understanding of those forces that affect sustainable values in real estate development and investment in the urban context, including legal, regulatory, political, and the capital markets. Graduates typically enter careers in fund management, mortgage finance, investment banking, REITs, hedge funds, and private equity.
That dudes sharp
Yeah I know people who did the degree. They range from Architect's moving into a development role to REIB people who want to get a better sense of the physical assets before moving on to become an investors. Plenty of people on the finance/investment side.
Just bumping this up to see if there is any new insight on this program. I will be applying this fall so I'm trying to make final decisions on where to apply.
ch66220 What's your background? Is it mostly on the investor side? From the website, it looks like they place an emphasis on the below degrees/careers.
"Applicants to the MDes program normally hold a professional degree in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning and design. Applicants with a degree in a related discipline such as engineering, geography, computer science, or industrial design also qualify for admission."
Would anyone be willing to opine or where they think this program would rank among other Master's in RE programs...? To my knowledge, the strongest programs are (in no order):
MIT is probably the best RE program in the country.
.
I'm finishing up undergrad now, degrees will be in finance and accounting. I previously had an internship with a developer here (in the midwest) and I'm currently doing an analyst internship at a REIT.
Go work in RE for a few years before you worry about whether or not you need a masters.
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I've seen a few people pop up every now and then from the "RE" program or whatever it is called. I think the Harvard brand carries weight, but unclear on whether attending a legit RE program at say MIT, Columbia or NYU is more beneficial. My guess the latter is better.
The NYU, Columbia and MIT programs are a well known quantity in NYC re investment circles. Aside from obvious brand power, the mdes could leave employers a bit confused as to where exactly to slot you in.
Hello ... a bit too late but worth a shot ...
I was a Mdes - Real Estate candidate at Harvard GSD focusing on finance & investments. I have worked for couple of years in RE before applying (recommended). There are pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the cons (by a lot).
Some of the main pros:
Cons (in my opinion)
Grosso modo: this program has a huge potential to grow exponentially if things are done right in the future. Very smart students get in + Professors that graduated from the GSD and HBS teach the course + very good networking opportunities and speakers' series
Nice update, +SB
Can you shed some light on admissions? GMAT/GRE scores, other things that are valued in applicants, and what is the total class size for your year?
Sure Expected GMAT score 640 - 680 (its nowhere on the website but I've emailed admissions back then). Of course, the better the merrier. I was preparing for MBA applications as well, so was pretty comfortable with that range (haven't really looked into GRE but a lot of people do it because it's apparently lighter on the quant side). PS: the GMAT/GRE is one aspect of the admission like any other Masters or MBA program. Class size depends on each year's intake: the average is 20-25 students for Mdes Real Estate (vs. 30-35 at MIT; ~100 at Columbia; and ~90 at HBS per section) Other things are things Harvard value in general: 1) a known employer (I worked with a large RE multinational) or 2) an employer where you had an impact on the built environment or any relevant industry.; 3) leadership skills 4) strong academic performance 5) "an international mindset"; Etc. Hope this helps. Will continue on updating this forum over the next 1 / 2 years.
Can you elaborate on the networking opportunities & "knowing how to sell yourself"? Who do you primarily network with - Harvard alums, GSD alums, HBS alums in RE?
Networking opportunities: 1) with your professors who combine academia+real world experience (development, PE, design, law, etc.); 2) Program / GSD Alums; 3) HBS / HKS / HLS peeps interested in RE; 4) Treks (we organize treks with HBS to NY, LA, Chicago, Boston , etc.); 5) Harvard RE conference every Spring - huge event with 400-500 attendees and top notch speakers (usually from the top 50 RE funds, developers, technology, etc); 6) career days; 7) cold calling people on yourself and meeting with them; 8) speakers that come to class [almost every class]; etc.
Knowing how to sell yourself: if you think you have a competitive advantage over your peers, make sure to leverage it in networking events (lets say you were in RE before the masters, you have dealt with institutional investors, speak more then 1 language [specially for global roles], have worked with high profile investors, have a start up, etc.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
This sub-concentration prepares graduates for careers in real estate investment and finance. It combines analytical skills in investment.
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