The University of Wisconsin Graaskamp Center For Real Estate Undergraduate Review

by Joe Stampone on April 19, 2010

  • Sharebar

I want to thank Brandon Winter, a University of Wisconsin undergrad with a focus in real estate, who has graciously taken the time to review the program and talk about the UW Real Estate Club. Brandon serves as president of the Real Estate Club and his passion for the role and the program at large shines through in his review:

How many real estate specific courses does the undergraduate focus in real estate entail?

There are six required real estate courses for undergraduate students, but more are available as electives.  The six courses that are required of all undergrad real estate majors are as follows:

  • Real Estate Process
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Law
  • Urban Land Economics
  • Real Estate Valuation(appraisal)
  • Residential Development

Other courses available to take within the department include Commercial Development, International Real Estate (in which students attend Expo Real in Germany,) Greed/Sustainable development, Applied Real Estate Investment Track, Urban Land Economics Readings and Research, and my personal favorite – Computer Applications in Real Estate Analysis (Excel and ARGUS training.)

Do undergrads have the opportunity to take courses within the Business School?

In order to major in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, undergraduates must first be admitted to the school of Business.  Students may apply when they have sophomore standing (recently changed from junior standing) and have completed the prerequisite courses (see http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/admissions/current.asp for more info) Admissions are very competitive.  Admitted students must then complete all of the general business school classes (see http://www.bus.wisc.edu/undergrad/requirements/businesscore.asp)

What kind of opportunities does the program provide to students outside the classroom?

The Real Estate Club (REC) and the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA)  provide a number of opportunities to students outside of the classroom.  The REC has two meetings a month in which professionals from various sectors of the industry come and present to the Club and answer student questions.  We also host a Real Estate specific Career Fair.  We take a trip each semester to a different national market (recent trips include Los Angeles, Washington DC, Denver, and San Francisco) to tour projects and meet with alumni in the region.  Students in the international real estate course go to the Expo Real convention in Germany.  The WREAA provides alumni contact information for students and members, as well as job opportunities and leads through the website (wreaa.org.) The REC and WREAA work together to plan networking events like golf outings and game day tailgates for students and alumni to meet and connect.  There is also a mentorship program in which students can get paired up with alumni or friends of the program and get advice and help in their job search.

Does the program actively assist in obtaining summer internships and full-time jobs?

The program works with the Business career center to provide job and internship resources for students.  In addition, there are job postings on the WREAA website and the REC hosts a career fair each year.

As President of the Student Real Estate Club, how to you manage the relationship between undergraduates and graduate students, many of whom have significant real estate experience?

The grad students are great resources for undergrads to reach out to during REC events or around the business school.  They have experience and knowledge that undergrads can tap as they try to figure out what they want to do in the future.  Many come from different backgrounds (from civil engineering to development to mortgage banking.)  We meet the needs of both groups through the REC, and the club provides a great setting to network with potential future business partners.

How many students actively participate in the club?

There are 120 or so club members, of those about 40 are grad students and the rest undergrad.  All grads are active in the club, and there are about 30 or 40 “active” undergrads who take on leadership roles, participate in trips, and frequent the meetings.

Is there an online real estate network where students can connect with alumni?

Yes, the WREAA website provides a great resource for students and alumni to update their profiles, communicate with one another, as well as forums to discuss industry trends and plan local events.

Does the club engage in online social networks (Blogging, Twitter, facebook, LinkedIn etc.?

The club has no formal involvement in online social networks, but students who meet through the club often communicate with one another on facebook.

What is the structure of the Real Estate Club? i.e. (President / VP / Treasure / VP of Technology etc?)

The club has two Co-Presidents who each serve a term of one semester.  The Presidents are elected as Co-VPs and serve the semester prior to their presidency as VPs.  There is also a Treasurer, Undergrad and Grad Career Fair Coordinators, Secretary, Webmaster, Marketing Director, and Co-Social Chairs.

Are all events jointly organized between undergrads and graduate students?

Yes, all events though the club are available to both undergrad and grad students.  There are exclusive graduate events but those are planned through the Graaskamp Center for Real Estate (MBA program.)

Having gone through the undergraduate program, would you consider getting an MBA from the University of Wisconsin with a focus in real estate?

I would definitely consider it, and there are many individuals who have done just that.  However, I might be inclined to further expand my network by going to another university for my graduate education.

Is there anything else about the program prospective students should know about?

If students are looking to major in Real Estate, there is no other program that provides the number of opportunities, the alumni network, and the quality of education that you get at UW.  By far the best decision I have ever made was coming to UW Madison.

Leave any questions you have in the comment section and I’ll be sure to have Brandon get back to you.

Similar Posts: