MBA seeking advice for MSRE or MSRED

Hi All,

I am currently three years out of my MBA, concentration in Finance and International Management from a Top 40 school. However after much self introspection, I have decided I want to transition into Real Estate. Past work experience includes 8+ years in Insurance, Project Management, Wealth Management and Retail Banking. This isn't just an overnight thing and I have always been interested in RE but never pursued a job in the industry. My interests currently are REIT, REPE, Project Management, acquisitions and development. I'm also interested in learning about International RE. However this could all change once I am in a program, and start learning and networking.

I would love to hear thoughts on what the best programs would be to accomplish this desire. I've cut my list to the following below, but definitely will listen to other options.

NYU, Georgetown, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Clemson, Cornell, Texas A&M, Maryland and Florida
Out - MIT because they require RE experience, and USC - don't want to be in the West Coast (unless I am convinced that is where I should be! lol)

I would prefer:
- A shorter program
- Best bang for the buck in acquiring real estate knowledge
- A program that won't seem redundant with my MBA in Finance
- A program with not many students straight out of UG
- Not taking the GMAT again

On the other hand, is a MSRE or MSRED even needed? Are there courses or another route I can take to get there.

Thanks for the advice and info!

 

Most A&M students are fresh out of UG (Myself and a few others are exceptions to the rule) I don't think anyone lacking a recent gmat score can apply, WE or not. It's 100% RE focused, so I doubt it would seem redundant at all.

"There are only two opinions in this world: Mine and the wrong one." -Jeremy Clarkson
 

I like it quite a lot, I had zero finance work experience or classwork prior to starting it in the spring and still got an internship at large bank (Wells, BoA, JP, etc) The classwork is very practical and applicable to the "real world" and helped me get off to a strong start in the internship.

"There are only two opinions in this world: Mine and the wrong one." -Jeremy Clarkson
 

Personally I think Cornell would be the best for you then NYU or Georgetown. Columbia seems too frilly frilly to me. The rest you listed are significantly worse in terms of opportunities for career switchers if you're not straight out of UG.

 

I agree with CRE Shervin. MBA should outweigh MSRE anyday, and you should be able to obtain a position with MBA that you can get with MSRE. Also, all the reputable ones (like Cornell, NYU, Columbia) require GMAT - you don't have to ace them but still need to take one. For NYU, the acceptance rate is like 70%.

Columbia has no part-time, but is one year. You can do NYU part-time, but the structure is 2 years.

 

Any thoughts on the GT program? ...I am just curious if the learning curve would be MUCH shorter obtaining a MSRE/MSRED. Also I would hopefully gain more exposure to different topics in RE, and maybe even meet future business partners! (theory lol)

 

I'll preface this by saying I'm an MRED student and one of the biggest advocates for the degree on this site - but by no means should you go back to school. Every program you enter will have half the class a year or two out of undergrad, they will all be at minimum 50% redundant with your MBA. The people ITT who recommended Cornell are insane - that's another two years out of the workforce and another two years without making any money.

Join ULI, network with people in the industry, and get a job. It might not be your dream job, but if you spend two years getting experience, you'll learn more anyhow PLUS actually make money, not spend it.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I get what you're saying. I just personally have much more respect for someone who went to Cornell, NYU or Georgetown than TAMU/Florida/Clemson (for example). I think going to TAMU/Florida/Clemson is only good if you're straight out of UG end of story. If you have been working and want to go back to MSRE full time I stand by opinion that Cornell, NYU or Georgetown are the best (maybe Columbia if you're into design and weird shit like that). Granted if you're doing part-time then that's a different story.

 

While I respect that and I'm sure other people hold the same opinion, I think you're way overstating how the market approaches it. I'm in a TAMU/Florida/Clemson-tier program and while half of the class is certainly young, no one is IMMEDIATELY out of undergrad. Getting a MSRE/MRED is more about checking a box, expanding your network, and gaining access to companies you otherwise wouldn't. If you're looking for accumulating prestige, it's the wrong degree, and frankly real estate is the wrong career path.

I did have a few years' experience going in, but I faced absolutely no problems when it came to recruiting either from my "lower tier" program. I interviewed with top REITs and developers (Related, Hines, JBG, Tishman, Highwoods, Cousins, etc.) and am currently a summer associate at a developer right alongside Wharton MBA students and Harvard MBA grads. My mentors, whom I get lunch with on a semi-regular basis and text for advice, are the international head of real estate for a top life co and the former #3 at one of the most successful REITs on the planet.

Is this because I'm awesome? Well, I'd certainly like to think so, but I'm obviously not awesome enough for MIT's real estate program, or Wharton's MBA program, or a host of other places I'm sure. I got into other programs, including two of those on your list, but went where I went because in real estate, short of REPE at Blackstone, your program doesn't matter, and Cornell isn't getting you there either.

For @PRG23" it matters even less, to the point where acquiring the degree at all doesn't matter. He already checked the "advanced education" box. The Wharton and Duke MBAs who work with me didn't get there because they took Real Estate 101 as an elective - they got there because they're MBA students. Real estate is all about interest and who you know, so if OP spends his time networking and doing some self study, he'll be more than prepared enough.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Lizard Brain:

It's all about USC, baby. It'll change your life

How is the program? I know the network is legendary.

I've never lived on the west coast and it's always been one of those "what if" fantasies of mine. Love San Francisco too but I have no idea how people afford to live there.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

My understanding of USC is that yes, the network is legendary - but only if you intend on living and working in that area, or at the very least in California. I'm an east coaster, and knew I wouldn't live out there beyond school, so opted to stay east. A Columbia MSRED was well worth my time.

www.assessre.com
 

Hey spencerassess was Columbia the only MSRE/MSRED program you looked at in nyc? Did you look at Baruch or NYU for MSR/MSRED? -- The reason I ask is I am from NYC and I'd like to stay in the area.. Only thing is Columbia's program is full time, and i'm looking for part time programs? do you have any thoughts or advice?

 
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