master of science in real estate development (msred) - Columbia ...

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT (MSRED)
MSRED CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED MATERIALS
q� Submitted online application
q� Transcript(s)
q� Letters of recommendation (3)
q� Essays
q� GRE or GMAT
q� TOEFL (For international students who do not meet the conditions listed below)
DEADLINE
The online application should be submitted by 11:59pm EST on January 15th. All supplemental
materials should be postmarked by this date.
APPLICATION FEE
A $75 non-­‐refundable application fee is required. This fee is submitted online and can be paid by
Visa or MasterCard. Checks are not accepted.
TRANSCRIPTS
An official transcript from each university attended and credit earned is required.
You may upload a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record to your online application
prior to submitting the application. Please refer to the details below before proceeding. You
should not mail in a copy of a transcript or academic record that you have already uploaded.
You will not be required to submit an official copy of your transcript unless you are admitted
and choose to enroll in the school.
We encourage you to upload a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record (as opposed
to sending a hardcopy) in order to save you time and ensure that a record of your academic
progress is included with your submitted application. Not only does this eliminate the need to
have a transcript mailed to us during the initial processing and review of your application, it
precludes any delays resulting from the non-­‐receipt of a transcript.
Transcripts that are in a language other than English should be translated into English. The
translation must be certified as an accurate translation of the original and be should notarized
or otherwise authenticated. Both the non-­‐English and translated copies of your transcript
should be uploaded. The “Uploading” and “Mailing” options for submitting academic
transcripts are discussed in detail below.
Uploading a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record
+ Please scan a current copy of your transcript at the lowest dpi that results in a legible
document (we recommend to use under 200 dpi whenever possible).
+ You must ensure that the institution name and other identifying marks are not missed during
the scanning process and that your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on US Letter size
paper (8 ½" x 11")
+ You will want to ensure that you also include the transcript legend (back page in most cases).

+ You will want to be certain that your document is saved as a PDF file.
+ You will want to ensure that its size is less then 500kb (0.5mb). Scanning in “gray scale” or
black and white may produce the best results.
+ If the scanned file is too large then you may want to make a photocopy first (experiment with
different settings until you find one that results in the smallest file size), then scan the
photocopy.
Mailing a copy of your transcript or academic record
Mailed transcripts must be submitted in sealed envelopes. Please mail your transcripts to the
following address:
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Columbia University
Office of Admissions
400 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Three letters are required for all Degree Programs. Recommenders may submit their letters
electronically through our application system. If your recommender does not wish to submit
their recommendation letters online, letters can be submitted on the recommender’s own
stationary and be sent directly to the school. The GSAPP does not have a special form to fill out
or specific questions to answer. The recommender should include the applicant’s full name and
program of study in the body of the letter. Envelopes must be sealed with the writer’s signature
across the flap. Please have paper recommendations sent directly to:
GSAPP Admissions Office
400 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10027
ESSAYS
In lieu of a personal statement, applicants to the MSRED will need to prepare 3 short essays
(approximately 500 words each) answering the following questions:
1) Describe a challenging experience you have had, a risk you have taken, or a leadership role
you have demonstrated, in your professional career, and how it may impact your future in the
real estate business.
2) Why have you chosen to apply to the RED program at Columbia University? What aspects of
this specific program are of appeal to you, and why have you chosen to pursue it rather than
other possible paths into real estate?
3A) For those with a related real estate background, what else would like the admissions
committee to know about you and your future in the real estate business? -­‐ OR -­‐

3B) For those without a real estate background, why do you want to go into this industry, and
what differentiates you from other applicants?
RESUME
You are required to submit a resume in support of your application.
PORTFOLIO
Portfolios are not required for applications to the Master of Science in Real Estate Development
Degree Program. However, applicants who choose to submit a portfolio should adhere to the
following guidelines:
Portfolios must not exceed 8 ½ X 11 inches (22 X 28cm) or be more than ½ inch (1.25cm) thick.
Large portfolios with glass or protruding metal parts, slides, DVDs, or CDs are not accepted.
Portfolios must be marked with the applicant’s full name.
TEST SCORES
All applicants to the Real Estate Development Program are required to submit either GRE or
GMAT examination scores. In addition, certain applicants may be required to submit TOEFL
scores (see below). Test scores should arrive by the application deadline.
A / GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE):
A minimum score of 144 (Quantitative) and 153 (Verbal) or above is suggested. GSAPP requires
a minimum verbal score of 150 (equivalent to 450 on the old test). Submitted applications with
a verbal score below 150 will not be reviewed.
Information about the GRE can be obtained by contacting the Educational Testing Service by
phone 1-­‐800-­‐473-­‐2255 or web at www.gre.org. Test scores should be sent to the institution
code 2164. A department code is not needed.
B / GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST (GMAT):
Candidates who choose to take the GMAT should contact the Graduate Management
Admissions Council (GMAC) or visit HTTP://WWW.MBA.COM/MBA/THEGMAT. Test scores
should be sent to the institution code QF8-­‐73-­‐53.
C / TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL):
All applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) exam. Information can be obtained by contacting TOEFL/ TSE Services, phone
1-­‐877-­‐863-­‐3546 (inside US) or (609) 771-­‐7100 (outside US) or by web www.ets.org/toefl.
International students who have successfully completed two years of study in an institution
where English was the primary language of instruction may waive the TOEFL exam requirement
provided they can submit relevant transcripts. The GSAPP does not accept the IELTS in lieu of
the TOEFL exam.
A minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-­‐based test, 250 on the computer-­‐based test or 100
on the internet-­‐based test is required for admission.
The institution code is 2164 and Dept. Code 12.

GPA
The GSAPP does not have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA).
DUAL DEGREE
Candidates may pursue a joint MSRED/MSUP and MSRED/MARCH degree. Interested
candidates should complete a separate application to the MSUP and MARCH program and
submit all required documents by December 15. Materials common to both applications, such
as transcripts and test scores, will be duplicated by the admissions office.