Need advice/feedback - accepted into four real estate development/RE master's programs!

Currently based in New York City, though most of my relevant work experience was in the midwest. I'd like to stay in NYC int he long run but definitely open to other cities as long as they are vibrant, fun places to live. I've worked in a few niches of real estate, but want to become a developer. Would love to work as an associate at a good firm that will give me mentorship and experience, but ultimate goal is to strike out on my own.

I was fortunate enough to get accepted into all four programs I applied to:

1) Master's in Sustainable Real Estate Development at Tulane 2) MS in Real Estate Development at NYU (Schack) 3) MS in Real Estate Development at Columbia 3) MPS in Real Estate at Cornell (Baker) - I would likely concentrate in development

They all have pros and cons. Columbia is appealing but the $96k price tag is by far the steepest, especially as a one year program. Cornell looks good too but is the only program that is two years, not sure I want to be in school that long.

At this point, I've ruled out NYU as I just did not like the overall vibe or structure of the program. Tulane is interesting, tight community and there's a lot of development and entrepreneurial opportunities in New Orleans (which is a great city) but it is not as prestigious or well connected as the other schools (though its certainly good if I want to stay in New Orleans after). I am visiting Columbia and Cornell in the next couple of weeks.

Can anyone who has attended any of the above programs or has insider knowledge share their experience?

1 Comments
 

Sit tempore iste magni id commodi neque. Voluptatem quis et deserunt cupiditate et quasi. Et deserunt recusandae expedita. Repellendus sint id accusantium tenetur facere quisquam. Dolores in incidunt voluptatem laboriosam non ea minima. Aliquam doloremque dicta non.

Aliquam nostrum dolor optio nam omnis incidunt. Autem saepe laudantium et assumenda ut. Quo iusto laboriosam doloremque eius voluptatem.

Et sed ratione consequuntur facere placeat accusamus. Numquam fugit iusto temporibus sint sint.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”