This may be a stupid question, but did you apply to both programs simultaneously or branch into one or the other after singular acceptance?

Did you plan to stay in New York when you applied to the Columbia programs or did that pan out as school took shape?

How much design work vs. real estate (not sure how to classify this otherwise) work do you do? 

How large is your firm?

What aside from the financial side of things drew you towards real estate? Are you happier now?

* To preface, this isn't a trick question *

To run a design/build firm, what's your gameplan for the design side? Sounds like you're obviously getting an excellent jump into the business side of the coin, but having worked for 2 years now post-M.Arch, Im only just starting to get my head around a lot of the contractual/legal processes of getting something built. I'm genuinely curious how you plan to pursue it without the tradition of working under another architect to learn the ropes of both design and management of a project.

How long does it take you to finish the dual major? Can people finish it in 3 years?

i feel like i walked in on a billy mays commercial.

it may shock you that some people don't value an additional 40k more as much as a day to day role that they find more life satisfaction in. 

wall street journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2010/09/07/the-perfect-salary-for-happiness-75000-a-year/

You could go into real estate, on the other hand, you will be miserable and will never have credibility in real architecture again, and will probably become a cokehead by age 30. But cheer up, you could be president by age 70. 

GSAPP is a joke to put this much debt on any arts graduate students. Their administrators should go to jail. 

do you wear a monocle and bow tie?  or a top hat and cane?

This may be a stupid question, but did you apply to both programs simultaneously or branch into one or the other after singular acceptance?

I applied to the M.arch program first and then I applied once i got in. I believe you have a much higher chance of getting into the MS.RED program once you're in the M.arch program. I heard they like to take their own, but don't take my word for it. I feel like every year after I applied more and more students began to take notice and started to apply as well. I think only one person didn't get in.

Did you plan to stay in New York when you applied to the Columbia programs or did that pan out as school took shape?

I am going to stay here for a couple more years to learn what I need to learn before I move somewhere to start my own firm. But as of now, staying in NY is the best choice and opportunity,

How much design work vs. real estate (not sure how to classify this otherwise) work do you do? 

I would say equal, but I don't really do "design" work. I do work with architects occasionally to comment on their floorplans, renderings, and general direction for a specific development (like finishes, etc.)

How large is your firm?

medium size.

What aside from the financial side of things drew you towards real estate? Are you happier now?

I worked with a couple of design and build firms (there's many in NY just like Jonathan Segal) who are their own developers but they're architects. It was a enlightening experience to really just do what you want to do. 

Am I happier now? Yes! definitely! People think it's a 9-6PM desk job, but I work on multiple projects in a week and it's very fast pace and all that jazz. I am learning what I want to learn while I am getting paid for it. That's the good part, I don't have to live pay check to pay check. I can pay rent, pay my loans, and not live frugally. 

* To preface, this isn't a trick question *

To run a design/build firm, what's your gameplan for the design side? Sounds like you're obviously getting an excellent jump into the business side of the coin, but having worked for 2 years now post-M.Arch, Im only just starting to get my head around a lot of the contractual/legal processes of getting something built. I'm genuinely curious how you plan to pursue it without the tradition of working under another architect to learn the ropes of both design and management of a project.

I still have a lot to learn myself in both design and the business side of things, so I am still figuring out as I go. As of now, I am more focused in the business side still in terms of how to develop unit mixes, pricing strategies, etc. For design, I figure you can always contract it out or hire other people to do the grunt work haha. but it's true.  Hopefully I answered your question. 

How long does it take you to finish the dual major? Can people finish it in 3 years?

3.5 years.

i feel like i walked in on a billy mays commercial.

it may shock you that some people don't value an additional 40k more as much as a day to day role that they find more life satisfaction in. 

wall street journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2010/09/07/the-perfect-salary-for-happiness-75000-a-year/

Ok, if you're rich and can afford to go to Columbia and not worry about a $40-$60k salary then fine, maybe your statement rings true.

BUT.. if you have already accrued debt from your undergrad and you plan on stacking another $120k+ on top of that...how can you possibly be SATISIFED with a $40-$60k salary?

JUST THINK FOR A SECOND. most of your paycheck will be paying rent/loans for the next 5-10..20 years? are you kidding me? you think anyone is SATISFIED when 3/4 of your paycheck is NOT FOR YOU???? AND DONT FORGET YOU'LL BE WORKING OVERTIME WITHOUT OVERTIME PAY. Yeah, don't try to feed other people about this "people aren't concerned with money". I am just giving prospective students the cold, hard facts. Sometimes they're so overwhelmed by this "I got into an ivy league school!!" they overlook the fact that it's going to cost a sh!t ton of money with no returns until you're 40-60 years old.

Columbia is a great school nonetheless. If you can afford it great. If you can't...well think elsewhere. If you want to get into the MS.RED program, I SAY GO FOR IT! 

also google the GSAPP salary survey or whatever to get a general sense of where Alumni's from different programs are getting paid. 

You could go into real estate, on the other hand, you will be miserable and will never have credibility in real architecture again, and will probably become a cokehead by age 30. But cheer up, you could be president by age 70. 

GSAPP is a joke to put this much debt on any arts graduate students. Their administrators should go to jail

yeah, the cost of this school is UNREAL. Disagree with your above statement though. 

do you wear a monocle and bow tie?  or a top hat and cane?

I dont,but i am pretty sure I can afford all that without buyers remorse/regret.

do you use a cigarette holder?

How many bodies can you fit in a Fiat 500?

Sounds interesting and I don’t think its dark.

1. How abt the workload in these 3.5 years? M.Arch is already crazy, is it even more stressful to take the dual degree? Does the workload results in affecting your M.Arch grade?

2. So are you working in a design & build firm now? And if I get it correctly you are earning $40k - $50k per month?

3. Is it difficult to go back to pure architecture firm after spending all those years in the real estate field?

4. Did you work as intern in the summer in those years? Were they design work or real estate work?

5. Sorry to ask about this unrelated question here but I emailed you a few days ago asking about deferral.
   Can I know if you needa provide any proof of your family issue which made you unable to attend the program that year?
   Are there other GSAPP students successfully defer by reasons other than medical issue?
   Does GSAPP usually allow deferral?

Thanks.

Hi. I would like to ask if MArch students can do individual thesis in the final semester? I have read about the MArch curriculum only found out they have core design studio and advanced design studio. Thanks.

How much extra did u pay for the tuition fee of the MSRED program?

Are you an international student? Just wondering if you have any scholarship/ financial aids offered by the school? I will get a F1 visa to study in the States so I am not eligible to the university’s financial aids.

How much in general do M.Arch graduates earn per month after graduation?

Which firms are most likely to hire GSAPP M.Arch graduates?

Did you live on campus or off-campus? What are their dorms like (if yes)? I read on the website that it's very difficult to try and secure on campus accommodation. What do you recommend is the best way to find housing? and which areas are relatively close/affordable/ have other gsapp students.

Thanks!

Do you like real estate job? do you feel like that you can be an architect in the future again? or you stay in the real estate? Are you an international student? Does the real estate company welcome international students? 

In what course and or level of study do they teach future Harvard grads to be condescending pricks?

 Do you know anything about the MSUP program at Columbia and where the graduates go to? I am having a hard time deciding between Columbia and UPenn. 

At UPenn, I am thinking of getting the MCP with a concentration on urban design and a certificate in real estate design and development. My background is in architecture, and I am an international student. I am looking to get the maximum value out of my graduate education.

At Columbia, I am thinking of the urban analytics and international development tracks. I ofc have no idea how that can translate into real world work.

Would appreciate your honest opinion. 

Hi,

I understand that you have a pessimistic view about the MsAAD program. My understanding was that majority of people who enroll in this program are willing to have careers in research/academia and use the program to test out/develop their particular agendas/make connections in pursuit of a perhaps more theoretical career. Would you care to expand on your opinions? Would you really say that this is a program kept intact by the school to "keep the business running"? My view as an outsider was that it's a highly regarded program despite a relatively higher acceptance rate.

Thank you,

Hello,

Thank you for this, all the information is really useful!!

Did you apply to both the M.Arch and Masters of Real Estate and Development programs concurrently, or start off as an M.Arch then apply to the MRED program?

How hard is it to get accepted into the MRED program, if you lack experience (0-3 yrs)? *Whilst I do lack several years of experience, my experience includes co founding an engineering consultancy (How helpful will this be?) 

How many students does Columbia's MRED program take in a year?

How much of a factor is GPA, versus non-degree post graduate courses (e.g. professional certificates), experience, rec. letters, GRE scores...etc. in the application/acceptance process (basically what are they looking for)?

I'm an International student with an American B. Arch degree, with a passion for development. What backgrounds d students come from, and would you say it would be a tough transition from an Architectural background to the MRED program at Columbia? Do you recommend any other similar good programs? (and what do you think of Pratt's Real Estate practice, or Urban Place-Making program?)

Hello,

Thank you for your offer to help ... 

I am an architect and would like to pursue the MS in Urban design and the MS RED programme in Columbia. It is not a designated dual degree . I cannot afford a three year tuition and i think the above two can be completed in 2 years . pl advise how do i go about applying for this. Do i apply for MSAUD and then later apply for MSRED ? 

Hi there,

Just wondering whom you may have used for your letters of rec after your fall semester of the M.Arch? I have no previous background in real estate and am thinking of applying to the MS.RED after fall, do you know what the general rule of thumb may be?

All my best

Well... unsolicited comment, but... why the fuck would anyone study architecture to become a real estate agent? 

You study architecture to do architecture I would think.

Developer, agent, whatever, fuck all to do with architecture.

Hey batman,

I am planning to apply to Columbia MSRED this year. But I am worried about my 3.2 GPA and GMAT scores. What is average gpa/GMAT for admission like? Do they put much weight on GMAT? Also what do students in Columbia MSRED think about NYU MSRE?

Hello, 

Thank you for all of this info and for ignoring the trolls. I am wondering what you think about skipping the M.Arch program and just going for the MS.RED. My undergrad degree is in fine arts, but I have been working on and off at architecture firms since matriculation. Ideally, I design, but I am also very interested in development. 

How much of the M.Arch degree applies to your profitable and enjoyable work as a developer?

 Could you have skipped the M.Arch part?

 Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you again. 

hi,

How many years of work experiences did you have before you got into MSRED? 

what was your gre score?

hey batman!! 

Thank you for your interesting insights on the M.ARCH and MS.RED dual degree. I have been admitted to UMICH for the M.ARCH 2 year path and considering the real estate certificate which I will complete in the same time as my M.ARCH. As my goal is to have my design and build firm somewhere down the line!

Do you see the certificate in real estate as an asset/not so when compared to pursuing the degree in real estate? how does it differ if I applied for a job with a developer? 

I see that I can save a lot of time and money by having a certificate than pursue a degree in real estate. Your insights are valuable! Hope to hear soon! 

Hi Batman, 

I'm starting Columbia's March program in the fall. I was wondering if you had prior experience working in real estate before getting that first job after your Masters. Did you have previous internships in the field? how and when did you transition? what was your first position and in what area?

What did you study for undergrad? What are real estate courses like? Is it mostly economics finance with a little less law and policies and a few math?

Sorry for the late reply. been busy and forgot about the architecture world. as an update, i do not regret going into MSRED at all. congrats to those who applied and got in. you wont regret it.

Hi batman, I wonder how much can a MRSRED student earns after graduate? Is 40~50K per year? Gosh, tuition of this amazing Uni is sooo expensive. Could you remember how approximate costs have you spent for this 3 yrs course? I am an international students, maybe it will be more higher, so I'm afraid that I have to spend half of my life to win the cost back.

Have a lovely day!

Hi batman, are recommendation letters important? Do you think that they will review an application without three letters of recommendation as required. I'm struggling to get three. Thank you.

hello Batman,

I am currently an M.ARCH + certificate in real estate development student at University of Michigan. I saw you interned at an architecture + development firm before this. I would love to have a conversation with you hopefully and also would like to know the company you worked for.

email - [email protected] 

have a lovely evening 

Hello batman! 

What does your job description entail after doing MSRED?

what do you work on, on a daily basis? 

Hello, I ran into this thread regarding the MSRED program at Columbia GSAPP. I am about to make a decision to attend as an international student.

 I am very interested in this helping with a design-build firm I have back in Mexico, but would like to know if I can get into the industry for a while in NYC to pay back some of the tuition and learn at the center of it all... How likely do you think it is for someone like me to land a job after doing my CPT/OPT there? Did you have any colleagues in this situation who might share their experiences?

Best regards and thank you in advance

Hi Batman,

I've also just been admitted, forgot how big this thread was. I was curious if you knew about how the MSRED compared to the Graduate Certificate of Real Estate Development at Berkeley and Penn (each would be taken concurrently with an M.Arch I). 

Thanks for the Q&A @batman, really appreciate the insights and thoughtful answers. 

Just wondering what kind of roles/verticals (development, investment, lending, etc.) do MSRED grads usually end up in? Seems like relatively few place into REIB or PE directly, and those who did had finance background prior to program entry. 

And also given current macro print, how do you think about your own career trajectory? Are you looking to stay where you are long-term?

What was your undergrad GPA when you applied? I'm a junior in undergrad and mine's at slightly higher than 3.8 and I don't know if that is enough. Thanks!