How to make the most out of an MSRE program?

I was recently admitted into an MSRE program on the east coast which I'll be attending starting in January. I'm curious, especially from people who have gone through the program, how to best leverage the experience?
I'll be attending part-time and working in development full time. My goal after the program is to jump to a large institutional developer (currently at a much smaller shop).
Obviously am planning on networking with alumni and getting involved in all the student real estate groups, etc. Was wondering if anyone has advice on things I can do to successfully make that switch to a larger dev shop and be successful in the program and after. Also, I'll be graduating in 2026, so hopefully by then the market is at least starting to recover.

Thanks.

6 Comments
 

Conrgats on the admission! I don't have advice for you unfortunately but I'm curious about your MSRE journey if you don't mind a couple questions.

What made you go for a MSRE rather than a MRED (if wanting dev) or a MBA (if wanting a role at a bigger shop)?

I'm guessing the program is nights & weekends? Is it in person? Do you feel like you'll get enough exposure to lecturers, guest speakers, and classmates on a personal level for you to get value out of the network?

What's your current role and what kind of shop are you at? H/M/LCOL?

 

Sorry, should have been more specific - I am doing an MRED - I tend to use the two acronyms interchangeably. As for MRED v. MBA, for my personal financial situation I wouldn't have been able to swing an MBA, and I don't have the ugrad GPA to get into an M7 program. I'm not going to be targeting a MF once I graduate, but a larger firm than the one I'm at now, with the eventual goal of going out on my own.

I'm currently working as a Development Analyst for a developer that mainly does work for municipalities, universities, affordable housing, and federal buildings. Basically, a fee developer and I'm looking to move to a more traditional development shop. I'm in a HCOL area and have been with the firm for a year, prior to that was at a big 4 doing transaction advisory. 

The MRED program I'm in is on nights and weekend, and I'll be working in this same role full-time throughout the program. I'm confident it'll give me what I'm looking for as a few of the companies I'm looking at recruit/hire students from this program. Also, since I'm already working in development I'm hoping to move into a development associate role after graduating. 

Let me know what you think. 

 
Most Helpful

Blanditiis aspernatur debitis similique beatae est culpa. Tenetur aut repellendus officia dolorem iusto.

Expedita occaecati iste cum maxime consectetur nostrum. Sapiente ducimus reprehenderit officiis aut tempora consequatur. Culpa non rem vel blanditiis.

Dolore vero aut voluptatem itaque. Cupiditate velit maiores voluptate ut asperiores quisquam est. Soluta corporis odio dignissimos molestiae non ut deleniti. Voluptates non consequatur neque aut. Dolore aut sed in aut exercitationem dignissimos. Corporis tempora eveniet aliquam atque doloremque. Magnam sed quae qui perferendis aut odit sint.

Dicta id animi ratione vel et facere error. Magnam atque voluptatem et consequatur ratione ipsa. Rerum pariatur blanditiis atque at harum numquam voluptatibus. Nulla vel qui qui exercitationem repellat nisi assumenda et. Debitis explicabo et accusantium aspernatur voluptas sed id. Nisi assumenda qui blanditiis totam esse.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”