Admissions

One of the first hurdles to overcome when you have decided to get a real estate degree is the admissions process. This process can take months, and applicants must be aware of all requirements and deadlines. Not all the information needed on an application comes from the applicant herself. There are test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation that must come from third parties and institutions. Careful planning and timing are needed for successful admission.

Generally, students must fill out an application and write a statement of purpose. The application is a fairly simple form. The statement of purpose or the admissions essay is a chance for you to demonstrate not only your writing prowess, but also how well your interests match the program. The rest of the application depends on your past academic performance. The statement of purpose is a chance for you to improve your admissions chances. Many schools, especially master’s programs, will allow a candidate to submit a professional résumé.

Other documentation must be provided from third parties. Transcripts from past schools, including high school and colleges, should be sent from the institution itself. Letters of recommendation should be sent from the parties you have chosen to recommend you. SAT, GRE, and GMAT scores should be sent from the testing companies. These tests must be completed with enough time remaining to deliver the scores to your choice of schools. If your application meets the standards of the school, you might be invited to interview with teachers or alumni before being notified of acceptance.

Application

The college application is a multi-page form that prospective students must fill out and turn in with other admissions materials. There is a standard form that contains headings for personal information, academic history, and extracurricular achievements. The form usually contains guidelines for including other materials such as essays, test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

When filling out a school’s application, students should be careful not to add extraneous materials or information. Applicants must remember that admissions officers whom they do not wish to annoy are vetting these forms. It is also a time to be as careful as possible to avoid the impression of being lazy or sloppy.

Many colleges are moving their applications online and some are using a standardized online form that can be used for multiple member colleges, such as the Common Application and the Universal Application. The problem with these is that educational experts have traditionally recommended that students tailor their application to a specific university. That being said, these applications can save students time and allow them to apply to backups in case of rejection.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is an essay written by applicants to graduate school admissions committees, outlining the student’s career goals and aspirations. The statement should be a short document, written by the applicant and sent or uploaded to the admissions office. Each statement should be tailored to a specific program.

Many schools post on their admissions site information about what they expect from a statement of purpose.

Students must explain succinctly why they have chosen this particular program above all others. They must talk about the preparation and training that has qualified them to participate in the program. Finally, they are expected to write about the future. They must describe to the admissions committee how this specific program will forward their career goals and aspirations.

This is also the last chance a candidate has, before the interview, to impress the people judging his application. There is no need to list every activity, class, and achievement, as the application itself serves that purpose. Instead, this is an opportunity for the applicant to elaborate on formative moments and also to make the case that this program fits his needs.

Many schools have either a two or three-page limit. It is important not to go over this limit. Conciseness is an important skill in academic writing. Adopt a professional tone instead of an informal, personal style. Most importantly, know the program. Each statement of purpose should be written for a specific school and a specific master’s degree program. When applying for a degree in real estate, research the classes, internship options, and faculty of the programs you want to join. Make sure this newfound knowledge makes it into your statement.

Résumé

A professional résumé is an important piece of a postsecondary application. It can also be useful for undergraduate applicants to display work experience as a qualification. Many programs require students to have work experience in their field even if it is in the form of unpaid internships. Working in a particular field under experienced professionals demonstrates that a candidate is both serious and informed about the career path they are choosing. Admissions offices and their websites will inform candidates whether a résumé is required, optional, or prohibited.

Résumés should be concise and specific.

They should contain only relevant work experience, and they should be geared towards the program to which you are applying. This is an opportunity for you to present yourself as a professional candidate as well as a student. Student achievement and honors can be included. Young applicants should be careful to limit themselves to a single page. Only professionals with impressive curricula vitae should allow themselves to indulge in more than one page.

High school students applying for undergraduate programs also may include a résumé with their application. This résumé will differ in that it will highlight a student’s academic achievement and skills required for higher learning. Volunteering, mentoring, and extracurricular activities can highlight maturity in a candidate.

Transcripts From All Previous Colleges and Universities

Applying for a degree program in real estate necessitates sending transcripts detailing your educational experiences to the admissions office. These are the most important records you will send because they show the admissions committee how you have fared in educational settings in the past. Poor grades do not necessarily disqualify you, but they certainly do not help.

Your transcript is an official document and schools will not accept a copy. Transcripts must be sent from one institution to another to prevent them from being tampered with. Each school has a bursar, registration, or student records office. These offices have the responsibility of maintaining these records. They will send them for a fee to as many institutions as you deem necessary. Many offices have online request processes that simplify the transaction. Schools will not release transcripts unless all financial obligations of the student to the school have been met, which can usually be done through the same office. Each institution you have attended should be included.

Transcripts are needed whenever a student moves from one school to another. Even if the student is not seeking another degree, but merely wants to take some continuing education courses, transcripts can be required.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to real estate degree programs are usually asked to provide two letters of recommendation. If you are applying for a graduate degree program, the letters are customary. They must be requested by the student and sent to the school without being vetted by the student.

Asking a former teacher for a letter of introduction can be a nerve-wracking process. Often it takes several months to request, coordinate, and confirm letters of recommendation. This is especially true for students who take time off between getting one degree (a bachelor’s) and the next (a master’s). It can take time for professors to research the student if the student has not recently been in their class. It is also polite to give your recommenders plenty of notice, as you are asking them a favor.

Because students do not have access to the letters, they must make good choices when requesting a letter from a former teacher. It is also important to select a teacher who has relevant experience and can speak to your qualifications for taking a higher degree. You must often give your recommenders information on your educational career so they can write an informed recommendation.

Finally, it is important to check with the admissions department to make sure your recommender has followed through. It does not hurt to have a backup in mind. Remember to thank your recommenders or they will no longer be there for you in the future.

GMAT

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized test taken by postgraduate students wishing to enter M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) programs. Candidates wishing to get an M.B.A. in real estate must take the exam and score high enough compared to their peers to meet the expectation of their desired program. Along with the completion of a bachelor’s degree, the GMAT is a requirement of nearly every M.B.A. program in the United States.

The exam is administered by a private educational institution and must be taken on-site at one of their facilities.

It consists of three very specific parts. The first part is the analytical writing portion. During this portion of the test you will be required to write two essays in thirty-minute increments. The first essay, called the issue question, is based on a prompt about a current topic in business or economics. In the issue question, you are expected to give your opinion on the issue at hand. The second essay, the argument essay, asks you to read an argument and critique it. In this essay, the object is not so much to give your opinion as to comment on the opinion of another.

The second part of the test is a 37-question quantitative analysis test. This is a multiple-choice format quiz that tests mathematical knowledge. It covers algebra, statistics, geometry, and even arithmetic with two types of questions: the data sufficiency question, which asks whether there is enough data to solve the problem; and the problem-solving question, which asks you to choose the correct answer to the math problem.

Finally, there is a 41-question verbal section, which tests your grammatical and stylistic knowledge of common English usage. There are reading comprehension questions and sentence correction questions. Candidates are given 75 minutes to complete each of the final two sections.

The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with most candidates scoring in the middle 400 to 600 range. M.B.A. programs usually do not post a minimum score, although they do publish statistics concerning their student body’s scores. Candidates can compare their own score with the average of the previous year’s matriculating class to see how they compare. Scores can be used for five years when applying to M.B.A programs.

Interviews

The last stage of the application process is the interview. These are used by admissions officers to test a candidate’s suitability for a program in person. Many undergraduate programs, associate’s degree programs, and online degree programs forgo the interview step. The best place to find information about interview requirements is through a school’s admissions office.

If other elements of a student’s application are in order and acceptable, a school will schedule one or two interviews for the student. Depending on convenience, interviews might be conducted on campus, at a location close to the student, or over the phone. The interviewer is typically an alumnus, an admissions officer, or a faculty member. Interviewers are given a lot of latitude in conducting the interview as they see fit. Students might prepare some topics they want to speak about for interviewers with a laissez-faire approach to interviewing.

Interviewers ask candidates questions about academic achievement, family background, and future plans. They will usually cover topics that are not included on a student’s transcript. If a school is curious about a student’s GPA, they will consult the student’s transcripts. The interview is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate social skills and sincerity of purpose. It is another chance for the student to stand out from peers and make a personal impression on someone in the decision-making process. It will more often help a borderline applicant than harm a solid one.