General

Q. How long is the MPS/RE Program?
A. The Program requires 62 credit hours. This is usually two years of full-time study.

Q. Does the Program offer Spring admission?
A. Students have begun the Program during the spring semester, but due to course and Program sequencing it is recommended that students start in the fall.

Q. How many spaces are available each year?
A. Class size is limited to 20 students. This small class size ensures that students have the opportunity to develop strong relationships with their classmates and with faculty members, while also benefiting from relationships with other graduate programs on campus.

Q. Does Cornell offer a Ph.D. program in Real Estate?
A. No, we offer only a two-year Master's degree.

Q. What is the average age of current students in the Program?
A. 28

Admissions

Q. When are applications reviewed and decisions made?
A. Applications can be submitted at any time, and beginning in October the admissions committee reviews completed applications on the rolling basis and provides admissions decisions within 3-4 weeks of receiving a completed application even if it is before the official deadline.

Q. What is the most important part of the application?
A. Your statement of purpose is considered one of the most crucial parts of your application. Your statement should reflect an understanding of the Program and its curriculum, and the reasons why you believe that it is the best choice for your professional development.

Q. Is it permissible to apply to two separate programs at Cornell?
A. If you are applying for a dual or joint degree, then you will be required to submit separate applications to each department. Otherwise you can only apply to one field. An applicant cannot apply separately to two different fields in the same year; the Graduate School will accept only one application.

Q. Do I need to have a specific undergraduate degree?
A. No, our students have a varied background. A 4-year undergraduate degree is required for admission. Many of our students come from architecture, engineering, business, planning and economics backgrounds to name a few. Students with degrees in fields far from Real Estate (e.g Anthropology, English, Psychology) are encouraged to highlight their real estate interest.

Q. Do I need to have a background in financial accounting?
A. Although it is not required for admission, knowledge of basic financial accounting is fundamental in many of the courses you will take if admitted to the Program. Applicants who have been admitted and do not have financial accounting will be required to take it in their first semester or prior to arriving at Cornell. Many students will complete their accounting requirement at a local community college or university the summer prior to starting the Program.

Q. When should I submit my GMAT score?
A. You should forward the printout you receive immediately following the GMAT exam to the Program in Real Estate. It can take ETS several weeks to process and send your scores, but by providing the printout the admissions committee can make an admissions decision subject to receipt of the official scores directly from ETS.

Q. If I already have a Master's degree, can I waive the GMAT requirement to gain admission to your program, or substitute the GRE?
A. The Cornell Program in Real Estate only accepts the GMAT.

Q. Do I need to submit one or two copies of official transcript from each university I have attended?
A. One, and it must be in a sealed envelope sent directly from the registrar.

Q. Do I need to have a transcript request form?
A. That depends on your University, some require it, and others do not. Check with your University's records office.

Q. Is work experience required for this program?
A. Work experience is not required; however, applicants with work experience, especially in a real estate related field, typically constitute the majority of the class.

Q. Can I submit recommendations from my employer in place of academic references?
A. Yes. Many of our applicants have strong professional backgrounds, and recommendations from employers are encouraged.

Q. There is a section in which the application asks for your academic recommenders/contacts. I have two recommendations from current and former employers. Should I list their names in this space?
A. Yes.

Financial Aid

Q. How do I apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships through the Program in Real Estate?
A. You are automatically considered for program-based financial aid as part of your admissions application to the program. No additional application is required. Scholarships and graduate assistantships are awarded based on merit regardless of citizenship and recipients are selected once an offer of admission is made.

Q. What types of scholarships and fellowships are available through the Program in Real Estate?
A. Small scholarships are available to incoming students to defray some of the initial expenses, including orientation. During 2006-07 100% of first-year students received some scholarship support. Alumni scholarships are available to a limited number of students, and have provided from $2000 to $8000 in support.

Q. What external support beyond the Program in Real Estate is available?
A. In addition to loans, you may qualify for scholarship and fellowship funding from sources outside the Program in Real Estate. Once you have been admitted the Program in Real Estate will work with you to identify external sources of support. Periodically students will staff and be paid through externally-sponsored real estate projects sponsored by companies and other industry entities, and can be a significant source of financial aid. Colleges on campus, including the Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Hotel School, also hire students to work as teaching or research assistants with faculty and are paid on an hourly basis. The Internet is a great resource for scholarship information as is the Cornell Graduate School. You should also consider any organizations to which you belong that might have aid funds available such as: religious organizations, fraternal organizations, clubs, athletics, veteran groups, ethnic groups, unions, employers, rotary clubs, etc. The key is to apply early.

Q. If I am awarded financial aid, when will I receive the money?
A. All financial aid sources will be applied first to your university tuition bill. If any of these funds result in a credit balance to your account, the credit will be refunded to you AFTER university registration.

Q. When and how do I apply for student loans?
A. U.S. citizens and permanent residents need to complete a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as soon after January 1 as possible. You can do this over the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Cornell uses this document to determine your eligibility for federal and institutional loans.

Q. As an international student, do I qualify for any loans?
A. International students can borrow through several private lenders. Contact the Cornell Graduate School for more information.

Q. Can international students use student loans on the declaration of finances?
A. Educational loans may not be used on a declaration of finance. You can apply for student loans after you have received your student visa.

International Student

Q. Can international students work on campus?
A. Yes, but they must have a United States Social Security number for which a student can register once they are in the US.

Q. Are international students allowed to work in the US after completion of degree and do they get extended visas to do so?
A. Yes. International students have found positions in the US as well as opportunities in other counties in addition to their home countries. International students can also apply for practical training after graduation and extend their visas for 12-18 months.

Q. Is there any financial aid for international students?
A. Yes, international students are considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships through the Program in Real Estate automatically as part of their admissions application.

Q. What is the TOEFL School code and department code for the Program in Real Estate?
A. School Code: 2098

Q. Do I have to meet the minimum TOEFL requirement to have my application reviewed?
A. Yes, international applicants for whom English is a second language should achieve scores of at least 250 for the computer-based TOEFL and 600 for the paper-based TOEFL.

Q. Is it possible to waive the TOEFL?
A. An international applicant can waive the TOEFL if they have spent two years studying in a country where English was the dominant language of the country and where all their course work was taken in English. For example, if an applicant completed a bachelor's degree at Cornell, and spent 2 or more years doing so, they would be exempt from the TOEFL. If you think you may be exempted please provide a letter and documentation supporting your request with your application.

Dual Degree

Q. How do I apply for the dual MPS/RE and MBA degree?
A. You will need to apply to both Programs separately indicating that you are applying for the dual degree. You can visit the Johnson School web site at http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/ or call the admission office 607.255.4526 to request an application. Any questions you may have regarding their application should be directed to them. You will also need to apply to the Program in Real Estate.

Q. I am applying for the dual MPS/MBA degree, do I need to send separate copies of my GMAT (and TOEFL) scores to both Programs?
A. Yes. Each Program needs to have official copies of your scores.