Currently looking to apply for MSRE, debating between the two programs. I want to pivot to real estate development (arch background, minimal finance knowledge, zero experience in CRE and haven't had much luck with the pivot) and want to stay within the DC region and work full-time while taking courses online part-time.
Was initially leaning towards Georgetown, as I was assuming it was the more business-focused school, but Georgetown MSRE program is not part of its business school (under the Professional Continuing Studies) and their website/faculties look a bit crummy & dull vs Johns Hopkins (which is in the Carey Business School). JHU also has more finance-focused courses to take, which I like and prefer. Both programs seem to cost roughly similar.
I may be missing something critical with my assessment above. Any alums or those with insights -- what are your opinions between the two?
So you can take this online?
Yes
GTown name likely garners more respect nationally and most people will look past whether the program was in McDonough or not. However, I’ve interacted with grads from both programs and I think on average that JH grads are sharper.
Aside, Georgetown’s MBA program is starting to offer a real estate concentration, which may be a better option overall. In either MSRE program, I think you’ll learn and grow based on your lack of prior business experience. Just pursue the finance concentration and you’ll get what you’re looking for.
Last comment - if you can swing it and get accepted, I’d go to Columbia any day of the week over your two listed options.
You’re basically paying 50k or whatever it is for an upgraded shot at breaking in, it’s not a resume boost in long run.
do you have background and enough work experience out of college to go to a top FT MBA? I would recommend that route over either even if you have to wait (probably a better recruiting environment then as well).
If not and you’re dead set on doing a program… I’d say Georgetown. I agree on all of your points about continuing studies vs Carey, however, anecdotally Georgetown has a much bigger and younger alumni base in the regional shops you could sell your story to. I work in DC.
Thanks for the insight! I've heard many comments about FT MBA at prestigious universities outweighing benefits vs MSRE (and all of it makes perfect sense) but it's been difficult to commit on that front considering I'm in my mid-30s, trying to have our first child, must work full-time and take courses online to provide for my fam, not to mention the 150-250k cost... My thought was, if the experience matters more than degrees, I'd take the shorter route getting my feet wet with a masters and just work my way up. What else am I missing here that would make me seriously consider an MBA over any of the above, e.g. significant potential upside when I'm going after my own deals with the connections and credentials, etc?
Tough to answer in that case man. I wrote that thinking you were 23-26 y/o.
both make sense. MSRE saves a lot of money and you have a decade of development adjacent experience to point to with the architecture background.
The big argument to the MBA for me would be it gives you more time to cast wider net and access to more formal recruiting cycles for firms that hire MBA classes. Which could be big in a market like DC. We don’t have a million dev shops like NYC does here. So only so many jobs, and recruiting is very very scattered as it’s by need. Having the extra year and potential internship could be an advantage.
Happy middle ground may be masters programs mentioned like Columbia, NYU, Cornell, MIT.
I'd also take a look at the Cornell program as well, they've got some decent placements in DC from what I've seen.
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