I’m currently mulling over the idea of getting an MBA to jump to a much larger shop. I’m SoCal based so I have apps underway for UCLA and USC, but what other schools have people gone to that they liked? I personally only think it would benefit my resume if I went T20 or better, and ideally I think I would like to be near the big finance hubs (LA,SF,NY). But want to explore any other schools I should add to my application list that place well. Also considering MRED and some of the top schools but think the MBA covers a broader scope and would help me place better post grad. My profile: Non-target UG with mid GPA 1 year fellowship at a private capital IS shop 2 years institutional investment sales 1 year+ at a smaller ($2.5B AUM) REPE shop I have a 317 GRE in the bag but am working on getting this up to at least a 325+ Post grad goals: I want to pivot to a more institutional and sophisticated REPE shop and have my eyes on a special situations/opportunistic type seat that invests at both the asset and entity level.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some recommendations for MBA programs that are strong in Real Estate and could help you achieve your post-grad goals:
Top MBA Programs for Real Estate:
Wharton:
Columbia:
NYU - Stern:
Northwestern - Kellogg:
Berkeley - Haas:
Dartmouth - Tuck:
Cornell - Johnson:
UCLA - Anderson:
UNC - Kenan-Flagler:
Georgetown - McDonough:
Additional Considerations:
MIT Sloan Fellows Program:
USC:
Key Points:
Post-Grad Goals:
Good luck with your applications!
Sources: What I've learned so far after 1 yr at a top MBA program (If I could do it over):, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/real-estate/mba-programs-for-real-estate?customgpt=1, Ask mbaMission about Business School Admissions, Target schools for Real Estate Finance, Best M7 MBA Program for REPE
MBAs are almost always M7, the best local school, or the school you get a full ride to.
So for you, look at Harvard, Columbia, Wharton, Chicago, MIT, Stanford, or Northwestern and then USC, UCLA, or Berkeley.
USC network goes hard in California though and they also have a great real estate masters program.
The reality is with OP’s profile, he’s not really a candidate for M7, unless he’s shown tremendous achievement professionally (quick promotions and in a decision making / managerial role - doubtful with the multiple different roles in relatively short period), some sort of substantial outside-of-work-achievement (Olympic athlete? World class violinist? Sold your side hustle start up to a F500?), or has a network that truly can pull strings to get him in. Other way in is to not be a he, but a she. That said, I am totally going to profile here and guess the person with a mid GPA from a non-target school who worked as a broker and is now at a small- to mid-sized multifamily REPE firm is a dude.
OP, step 1 is having a firm idea of where you want to live post-graduation. If you can narrow that down further, you can narrow down your options (e.g. someone from USC could have a tough time getting a gig in NYC initially, but will be swimming in opportunities in LA). You then want to think about what part of real estate you want to go into post-graduation as every school has different strengths and weakness. UNC for example is a pipeline to multifamily development. If you want to do REIB in NYC but can’t get into the absolute top schools, then UVA and Georgetown are strong alternatives as employers specifically target those schools. If you want to invest in hotels, get yourself to Cornell.
My recommendation is to pick one stretch school that checks all your boxes, go after that hard, but more realistically plan for and go after a small group of schools (2-3) in the 10-25 range given your profile. The big difference between undergrad and MBA applications is the networking before you apply - your chances skyrocket if you are on the radar of admissions people or a professor that runs the real estate program. This isn’t the Common App for undergrad. Anyway, here’s my thoughts on what’s probably realistic and gets you to cities you noted:
LA / SF: UCLA Anderson, USC, Berkeley Haas
NYC: NYU Stern, Columbia, Yale SOM, Dartmouth (Tuck), Cornell, UVA Darden, Georgetown McDonough
If you’re looking at Master’s programs, I have found the MIT, Columbia, and USC programs to produce far and away the strongest graduates. Really the only ones I’d consider on par with a top 25 MBA. I have zero idea what your GRE score means (I took the GMAT long ago - no GRE accepted back then), but based on the rest of your profile UCLA, USC, Georgetown, and maybe Darden all sound like achievable schools, along with the masters programs I noted. A school like Stern, Haas, or Columbia would be a stretch but not a total waste of time like applying to Stanford would be.
Good color, your profiling is a little off but nevertheless the sentiment still rings true. I’m not targeting M7 as I don’t think the chances are high that I get in.
Sounds like everyone is in agreement that USC/UCLA are probably the best fit for what I want to do post grad. Thanks for the input.
If you want to stay in LA/OC/SD area I would target UCLA. With that GRE score/profile (assuming you're also a white guy) you're probably not going to get M7. UCLA places well and has a good SoCal network. USC is probably fine but I would give the edge to UCLA for finance type roles. If you want to do acquisitions at an institutional shop I would skip the MRED unless you don't get in to anywhere other than USC and you do the dual MBA/MRED degree.
I think the UCLA GRE score is like mid 320 range as well, so if you get that up I think you'd be a good fit there.
This was my gut feeling but wanted to make sure I flushed out any other avenues that could benefit me. Agree on GRE, I'm retaking in a couple weeks because my score is "decent" but need to be in line or above the average to feel more comfortable with my application. Thanks for the insight!
If you’d be open to moving to Dallas SMU punches way above its weight. The program has serious backing from some of the top firms in DFW and you get FaceTime with some of the wealthiest and largest landlords in the country.
I don’t know anything about SMU other than it has hot coeds but I’d echo that DFW is home to some of the top shops for what op described interest in.
For context, I’m in REPE within an acq group that targets what he described on the risk/return spectrum
Agree that Dallas has some heavy hitters. While great, it’s not my cup of tea. I’ll leave it for you Texas boys.
That’s a bit like leaving Blackstone to work for M&M
Not an accurate comparison at all. Dallas is a hub for CRE and is only going to keep growing. Most of the major players have a presence in the market.
HBS (it's HBS)
Wharton/Columbia have most established RE programs of the top schools. RE is extremely network driven, and at each of those schools you'll have 20-30 kids per class and a great alumni base
Outside of those, go to a school where you want to end up and network your ass off. UNC and UCLA/USC have established programs
Berkeley Haas MBA, especially if you’re thinking California. Also, Berkeley’s alumni association for real estate is top notch. I’m biased because I went there and continue to enjoy the perks.
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