"Should I go back to grad school?"
We often get this question, usually from eager young professionals on the outside looking into the real estate industry.
What advice would you give: A, B, C, or D?
(A) Yes, get that degree...
Earning an MBA is expensive ($50-80K per year and a lot of time). But is it worth it? The short answer is yes, an MBA is almost always worth pursuing, says Martin Van Der Werf, the director of editorial and education policy at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
“Generally, taking out a loan is worth it, because your earnings far exceed the debt payments,” he tells CNBC Make It. “If you earn the degree and then are able to get a good job, it is generally worth it.”
(B) No, don't be a scarecrow...
Remember the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz? He was convinced that he didn't have a brain and desperately wanted to be smart. He followed a long path with strangers, whom he helped to solve some really difficult problems. When he finally got to the end of the road, he met the Wizard, who said:
"Why, anybody can have a brain. That's a very mediocre commodity. Back where I come from we have universities, seats of great learning ...and when they come out, they think deep thoughts -- and with no more brains than you have.... But! They have one thing you haven't got! A diploma! Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Universitatus Committeeatum e plurbis unum, I hereby confer upon you the honorary degree..."
(C) It depends
Lean "yes" if you are lost or rich, can get into a top 10 school, need to learn accounting, want to network and/or party for two years, or need a resume booster.
Lean "no" if you're looking for a magical career changer.
(D) Other
???
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PS 1: Most of our alumni (most common profile: late 20s, comp between $150-200K) say they wouldn't go back to grad school.
PS 2: If you're interested in high-impact CRE skills at a fraction of the cost of grad school, join this Friday morning's info session.
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