Admission Criteria

Director’s Tip

The advice to students deciding whether to apply now or wait is simple – apply now. If you are admitted then you will be rewarded with opportunities that would be otherwise unattainable and your career will take a new course; if you are not successful, the Cornell Program in Real Estate may provide contingent admission, defer your admission to the following year to allow for additional work experience, or work with you to improve your application.

Each year the Cornell Program in Real Estate attempts to select the diverse, high potential real estate leaders that share an enthusiasm for real estate and the ability to contribute to and challenge one another. Our selection process emphasizes a commitment to diversity, selectivity, and a practice of looking beyond the numbers. More specifically, the committee looks for applicants with leadership potential within the real estate industry, strong academic ability, and personal qualities and characteristics. Moreover, the Program of Real Estate aspires to create a class with diverse backgrounds and global perspectives to add to the richness of both the learning experience and the Cornell community broadly.

Successful applicants do not necessarily have the highest GMAT scores or grade point averages. There is no one formula that Cornell real estate students fit into; in fact, it is the very diversity of qualities, academic backgrounds, and experiences that create the stimulating, dynamic Cornell real estate learning community. Successful applicants do tend to have enthusiasm for the real estate field and characteristics that portend leadership potential and individual integrity. The following criteria are strongly considered in the applicant review process:

The Intangibles

Leadership Potential for the Real Estate Industry

Cornell alumni hold leadership positions throughout the real estate industry. Cornell Program in Real Estate graduates may not immediately occupy the corner office, but the Program does look for the leadership qualities that, combined with the strength of a two year real estate education, make possible a career path resulting in leadership to the industry. We are looking for candidates who have exercised leadership in a variety of settings: in their extracurricular activities while at college or university, in their workplaces, and in their communities. We will assess your leadership potential through your leadership experiences and accomplishments as well as through your essays and recommendations.

Personal Qualities and Characteristics

We are looking to learn about the qualities and characteristics that indicate integrity and a personal code of ethics. Are you someone that positively impacts the people and organizations around you? Do you have the traits that will inspire a legacy at the organization you serve throughout your future real estate career? Included is a focus on your career goals and how you intend to use the Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate to reach these goals. We seek candidates who have the highest ethical standards and respect for others, and who will be actively engaged in the educational process.

Ability to Contribute

The ability of real estate students to contribute in the classroom and to their colleagues experience is a prized feature of the Cornell program. Applicants with diverse academic or experiential backgrounds, or that bring a unique international background, can make significant contributions to the learning community at Cornell that are prized over other applicants strengths.

The ability to contribute can come from many sources and origins, which might include

  • a unique undergraduate major that provides a valued perspective on real estate
  • a under-represented geographic region of the US or internationally that brings a new connection
  • real estate work experience that informs classroom discussion
  • team-oriented and sharing personality traits

Academic Ability: GMAT and GPA

The Program in Real Estate places somewhat less emphasis on GMAT test scores and undergraduate grade point averages (GPA) than many MBA programs (see Class Profile). The GMAT and GPA are considered to the extent they predict an applicant would be challenged in handling the academic rigor of the Program, but the admissions committee recognizes that scores on standardized tests do not always portray a student’s abilities accurately. We also consider applicants test scores within the context of factors such as the resources available to them, the educational procedures within their university and country, etc.

If you feel your first GMAT score may not reflect your true potential, you may want to consider allowing enough time in your application process to re-take the test. Only the highest score achieved on multiple GMAT tests is considered in the admissions decision.

Work Experience

Students in the Program in Real Estate average 28 years of age and 5+ years of work experience. A majority of students will have real estate backgrounds, but a significant number of students each year will be career changers coming to the Program with no real estate experience. There is no minimum work experience requirement for the Program in Real Estate, however, and college seniors recent graduates routinely find success in the program. It is important for you to assess your own readiness when deciding when to apply.