slumdog1000000
tsiria
I think UNC has a superior real estate program especially R.E. development. If that's your main criterion.
drew031482
I'm in as well.
This is bittersweet for me considering I got a big fat goose egg for acceptances when I applied to programs 2 years ago.
Question for each of you - I'm interested in Real Estate Development, and I applied to Ross (Michigan), Kenan-Flager, and Owen (Vanderbilt). I was waitlisted at Ross, accepted now at Kenan Flagler, and was given some money at Owen - which would you choose?
I'd prefer to end up somewhere on the east coast, including the SE. Thoughts?
Agree with tsiria. UNC has one of the better programs in the country as far as RE development is concerned. The UNC RE club is one of the most involved student clubs on campus i.e. you get a lot of opportunities to interact and meet with industry professionals and this is critical especially since RE is pretty much a relationship-based industry. Prof Dave Hartzell is also a key driving force behind the RE program at UNC. You'll definitely stand to gain by going to KFBS, if RE is your career choice. There isn't a RE concentration at Ross - you can only take a RE certificate program, and even though they have top schools in architecture and urban planning, RE is still not a strength for Ross for the time being, though they are definitely working on it. I don't know much about Owen so I can't help you out with Owen.
If you are serious about a RE career and want to end up on the east coast, have you considered a master's program in real estate? Cornell has a great RE program, in case you are keen.
My advice is, if $ is not an issue for you, go for the best school you can get into. The brand of the school and strength of the program matter a lot when you are applying for jobs. All the best !
Slumdog, man...looks like your on the up & up about all these programs.
I have thought about a MRED degree. In fact, one of my former clients went through MIT's program, and I've talked about my career aspirations with him. However, since I already have one specialized degree, I think an MBA would complement that better, though it's still potentially an option.
Touching on your point about UNC, I met with David Hartzell a few years back and everyone I have met sings his praises. Additionally, I have a friend or two in the program right now. However, since I do already have some contacts within the industry - on the opposite side of the table - do you believe that it would really help that much? Right now I'm really focused about my ROI (back in 2008, Architecture and development was hit super hard), and if that ever happens again, I really would like to have as little debt as possible.