Is MSRE worth it?

Have a few of friends in MSRE / equivalent programs in Ivys. Some observations:

1. Almost all would prefer an MBA if they could have gotten in.

2. People with a few years of experiences seem to get much more out of it than people who enter straight from undergrad.

3. Networking opportunity is great but didn’t seem like something you can’t get after a couple of years just working.

You might want to talk to some current students and get their take.

Agree it will be more meaningful with some experience under your belt.

Work on a team with an MSRE grad and an MBA grad, as well as people with no grad school. All can get you to same place. It’s about being hungry. Most people in real estate don’t give a shit about msre/mba/no grad school. It’s all about your ability to produce or perform. Whatever you choose, go all in and get as much out of it as you can and you’ll be fine.

Don’t take this too hard but it’s just my two cents. I never understood why someone with years of exp would go back to school for a grad program. If you’re proactive in the industry, you can easily meet people at even “prestigious” firms or highly successful execs. 
 

Only reason I can see someone going back for MBA/MSRE is if they do not like their current role. For a data point, I’m at a large, renowned firm and we don’t pay extra if you have MBA/MSRE/JD/PhD. You’re base pay is same if you are at same level. Your degree has 0 impact on what the firm comps you at bonus time too. 

Unless money is burning a hole in your pocket, you don't need an advanced degree. If you do choose to get an advanced degree, it should be from a top school (better branding and network) but absolutely don't go into debt for it.

FYI and you can find the employment reports online, even the best business schools for real estate (Wharton, Kellogg, CBS) hardly place in the industry. You'll likely get funneled into consulting or IB. Don't necessarily agree with MBA over MSRE because of that (there are a lot of Columbia and NYU MSRE kids all over the place in New York). Experience triumphs any degree though.

I’ll caveat all of the above with the simple fact that most of them are correct, HOWEVER if you want to do CRE in Texas the A&M MSRE is very good training and has a great alum network to tap into and the MBA from McCombs (UT) has a fantastic reputation and alum network in DFW/Houston/Austin, etc. All depends on what you’re going for. If it’s Hines or bust, I’d say you need that advanced degree to even get an interview. If you’re willing to hustle and network then you’ll land at a good spot. 

This is going to be a thought dump:

If you want to be in Texas for CRE do it. The alumni network is outstanding. However, you can land good jobs outside of Texas, as well. Though not as active Dan Sparks and Cydnee Donnell. Have great connections in NYC and northeast.

Former CFO of lonestar/Hudson Advisors has been very willing to help students as well.

You are a lot more prepared for REPE interviews then most people applying for similar roles coming out of undergrad. But if BX is the goal, then you need to do a lot of networking on your own. But I would highly recommend A&M MRE. But expect some lighthearted jokes about you being from UT.

It is up to you. But you ended making good relationships with students who are all going into CRE and will eventually have very successful careers. I think it was well worth it. But there is also an opportunity cost. You have to weigh that on your own

I did the MSRE route. Here's my two cents:

• MSRE can be helpful if you are looking to change career paths or are already in the industry and want exposure to other aspects of the real estate world, ie real estate finance etc.
• Real Estate is a relationship and network heavy drive business. An MSRE can help build relationships and expand your network with your peers in the industry that will continue to grow in their careers alongside you. 
•  If you elect to go to the MSRE route, make sure its in a location that you intend to operate in, as your relationships and network from MSRE are generally local
• An MSRE degreee will generally demonstrate a core understanding of real estate in addition to work experience
• I dont recommend going straight out of undergrad to MSRE. Work experience helps with the stickiness/comprehension and general understanding of the subject matter by being able to draw on work experience. 
• Find out what school the MSRE is operated out of, is it out of an architecture or business school- it impacts the program
• Find out who the teachers are, my MSRE program was full of local practitioners when I attended and it was really helpful in both the connections made and also having practitioners or former practitioners lends to real life examples and a more engaging course.
  • Recently the program has transitioned faculty from practitioners to academics with PHD's in real estate (not even sure why thats a thing), that have no real world experience. I have friends who have attended under the new faculty and the experience and value of the program is not the same.
• An MSRE was helpful for me as it gave me exposure to areas of real estate that I wasn't exposed to during my daily work at the time and expanded my overall understanding of all the parts and pieces. It made me better rounded and helped as I transitioned from a development project management role into a managerial role in acquisitions, lease negotiation and raising capital. 
• An MSRE, depending on the program, can be better or worse than an MBA. I liked my program experience as I knew I wanted to be in real estate for the long term and I wanted to spend as much time on real estate courses and not necessarily an MBA that had a real estate focus. 

The alumni network coming from Texas A&M's MRE program may be valuable since they have a strong real estate network. UT and Rice (MBA) as well. 

Would not advise doing this if you’re going to be taking out loans to attend. Most people who do these programs do so out of necessity rather than pure interest; either as a career pivot or because they didn’t land a desirable role out of undergrad.

Many people coming out of the programs will have a strong network but they don’t necessarily know anything more than someone with 1-2 years experience will have. And you’re going to be recruiting for Analyst level roles for the most part, with $100k+ in loans over your head. Only do it is absolutely necessary or if money is not an object.

MSRE=scrub………howevvvvver if you’ve exhausted all options and still can’t land a solid role, have the money and time; then one of the top programs can do you good IF you still have a decent resume.