MRED Decision: Cornell, MIT, USC, Columbia & Berkeley
Hi everyone,
I’ve seen a few people posting about getting into MRED programs on this platform and wanted to ask for advice on my grad school decision as well. I applied to a number of schools thinking not all would accept me, but I ended up getting into all the schools I applied to: Cornell, MIT, USC, Columbia, and Berkeley.
For context, I’m a Canadian with a background in urban planning. I have 4 years of work experience in residential development and want to go back to school to learn more about the finance side of real estate, as well as explore other academic interests such as hotel development and urban design. I plan to build my career in real estate development in the US after completing the MRED program. Most of the programs are one year (3 semesters), except for Cornell, which is two years (4 semesters) plus a summer internship. A one-year program seems really short, and I feel like it would be a lot to absorb all the learning materials while recruiting at the same time. I would really appreciate any advice or insights on any of these programs! Thank you in advance.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown of the programs you’re considering, tailored to your goals and background:
1. MIT MSRED
2. USC MRED
3. Columbia MSRED
4. Cornell MSRED
5. Berkeley MRED+D
Key Factors to Consider:
Recommendation:
Each program has its unique strengths, so your decision should align with your career goals, preferred location, and learning style.
Sources: MSRED/MRED 2019 (MIT vs. USC vs. Columbia) WHICH ONE?, MSRED/MSRE Megathread 2020, Cornell MSRED vs. Columbia MSRED or a mid tier MBA?, Q&A: Cornell MSRED Student, Making The Jump - Construction Manager to Development
Do you mind sharing when you got your USC decision? I’m assuming for summer 2025?
Congrats btw, seems like there really isn’t a wrong answer here!
Thank you! I got mine towards the end of Feb for summer 2025.
Hope that helps!
MIT has an option where you can do a summer internship and extend the program to 16 months
That's a great addition to the program, but I am worried about Visa so STEM designation is a must at this point
Did you apply for Part-Time or Full-Time for Berkeley? Or is it no longer available for the incoming cohort?
Best option, go get your MBA. I say this as someone who is currently in one of the program above, if you really want to do MRED just go to MIT and you will be ok since you are in Boston, if you want Cali then do Haas adjacent MRED.
I still do believe the advantage of MBA are quite superior since they give more formal recruitment. I was in the same boat as you at one point and I do think an MBA would have been better, UNC Kenan is still doing R3..
MIT does not do STEM OPT, you might be able to TN canadian visa? I think Baker is the only one that is STEM but real estate developers are lean shops that don't really sponsor so it will be very hard.
Is this coming from the same engineer who said they didn’t want to learn modeling bc AI will do it all for them? And that interviewing was going well?!
Get your MRED where you want to live after school
And the advice to get an MBA is worthless as it’s a total waste of money for real estate unless you go to Harvard or Wharton
Thanks for the advice. I am currently split between Berkeley and Cornell at the moment. I'm not familiar with the US job market for development roles but in your opinion which market would be easier for an international to break into?
I disagree and take a look at where people intern or work after graduating from the program. You will have a few odd Hines PGIM once in awhile from mred but most of them get subpar placement for a similar investment as an MBA. In my school I have seen the recruitment is also better for MBA and is non existent for the MRED program.
I do agree that you should get your degree in the market you want to work in. It is a very local business, I hope I’m not making you more anxious about your decision but it does help to know the facts. Ask the program director about specific placement and how international students are doing, talk to alumni, look at LinkedIn. Grad school is less about what you learn and more about who you meet
Totally agree with your point on placement.
Some people genuinely hustle and network themselves into a good seat whereas others don’t. I’ve seen some unimpressive placements and some really good ones within the same MRED cohorts; it mainly depends on how proactive you are, but the job market surely isn’t helping either rn.
This is really stupid advice
MBA’s outside of the very top schools are utterly worthless and you learn nothing practical about real estate.
MRED’s from good programs give you great real world exposure
I can provide a long list of successful MRED’s I know who have done extremely well in real estate especially in more entrepreneurial ventures
Veritatis sed aut quidem incidunt veritatis occaecati numquam. Totam itaque natus enim quis dicta vel mollitia. Quis vel earum praesentium quibusdam vitae sunt et. Rerum nesciunt sit expedita ipsa quia illum. In neque id rem suscipit blanditiis.
Illum aut est doloribus et nam. Quibusdam magni placeat ab. Similique cupiditate eius vitae.
Sed fuga repudiandae vitae cum. Iste veritatis repudiandae qui ullam ducimus totam fugit. Aut maxime cum tempore ab. Illum dolorum aut illo sit est unde officiis sint. Nesciunt ut reprehenderit quae tempore deleniti quia inventore.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...