Masters in Real Estate / Real Estate Development w/ a bad GPA?

For someone looking for a career in real estate, would you recommend a MRED or is it better to go for an MBA?

Has anyone had any experience with an MRED program and would you recommend a specific program?

I have 2.5 years of solid hands on internship experience in commercial real estate, I own an investment property, and I am currently working in commercial lending ( I was offered a job as a commercial RE broker, but I turned it down for this banking gig until I could find a better RE opportunity in line with what I want to do). I have very good recommendations from the principles at all three real estate firms I worked with throughout college.

The problem is my GMAT was only a 640 and I had a pretty shitty GPA of 2.8 from a university ranked in the 50s range. As I have only been with my current bank for 6 months now, I tend to stay another 6 months before applying anywhere. I will retake the GMAT before then.

With a sucky GPA from a mediocre school, what would you guys recommend?

9 Comments
 

Yes, I do know RE. But I only have about 2.5 yrs exp in the business, so take my advice with a big grain of salt.

Honestly, I don't know enough about you to give you any advice. And your academic profile is below average for the best MSRE programs.

What's your goal?

*Do you just want to learn more about the fundamentals about RE investing? Do a CCIM and use your tuition dollars for an RE project down the line.

*Do you want access to 'sexy' RE investing jobs? The top REPE's recruit almost exclusively recruit from top MBA schools (foolish, in my opinion).

*Do you want do something related to entrepreneurial development? An MSRE will do the trick, but it may not make you rich for long time, especially since RE development is not so hot right now.

But the latter 2 options may not be open to you. Look into the CCIM.

--- man made the money, money never made the man
 

I am in a similar situation. I am graduating undergrad this year with a BS in construction management and have been accepted into William and Mary's MBA program concentrating in real estate. I also have an opportunity at Georgetown for a masters in real estate development. I want to end up doing my own credit tenant retail developments one day and am trying to figure out if I should work for a couple of years or go to grad school now. Advice would be much appreciated.

 

Virginia Tech may be a decent resource. I don't know too much about his background, but I know its RE and he was pretty helpful answering a few PMs from me a while back.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

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