The Committee reviews all full applications on February 1. One of three decisions will be made by Feb. 15: Admitted, Denied, or Waiting List for Next Round. Those admitted will have until March 15 to accept. Then, we will review any other full applications that come in after Feb. 1, plus those on the Waiting List for an April 1st Decision: Admitted, Denied, or Waiting List for Next Round, if applicable. Those admitted on April 1 will have until April 30 to accept. By May 7th, if slots are available, we will make another round of offerings with acceptance due by June 7th. We will not accept more than 20 students into the program, so we do not know the number of rounds where we might review candidates to fill up the class.

We accept either and neither of these are preferred.

Once you complete the test, you will have an email verification of the Verbal and Quantitative Score, even though it will take a couple of weeks for the score to be officially submitted to the University. If you send these unofficial scores into the program by email at curealestate-L@clemson.edu with the Subject: GRE or GMAT Scores, we will consider those adequate for us to process your application if all other materials are at Clemson. Obviously, we will need to verify those scores officially later.

We truly look at the whole individual's background and no one factor such as grades or GRE/GMAT scores are rated substantially higher. We are looking at academic credentials, letters of recommendation, your statement of purpose, leadership activities and capacity, student diversity, and experience (internships and/or full-time.)

Given the increased numbers of applicants, we have many applicants with at least a couple of years experience or related internships. These are weighed very positively but do not exclude those with limited experience and exposure. We look at the whole person.

Development is an interdisciplinary endeavor. Those disciplines most directly related would be considered positively, but we look at other aspects of the person beyond the degree showing their interest and background in real estate.

While it is not an absolute requirement, it is strongly advised in order for you and us to make a mutually beneficial decision for your academic commitment to your professional career in the MRED program. If it is impossible to visit, it is imperative that phone interviews be conducted in advance.

This really varies based on your abilities to aggressively pursue a position (with our advice and counsel), your experience, the community where job is located, and nature of the firm. Most graduates start out as a Development Associate starting in the range of $60,000 to $120,000 with bonuses after the first year and the opportunities to progress upwards quickly based on your ability to perform. With a national firm in a middle priced market (eg. not NY or SF), salaries are in the $75,000 to $100,000 range.

We are a national program and students have come from eighteen states so far in four years: AL, CA, FL, GA, LA, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA.

We have a differential tuition from the rest of Clemson University graduate education. Our tuition is the same for in-state and out-state students and is the same for each of your two years (i.e. whatever tuition you enter the program for year 1 is the same in year 2. So, if you enter at $22,500 in Fall of '09, you will pay the same tuition for your second year.)

We have around 2-5 Research Analyst positions in our Center for Real Estate Development at approximately $5,000 per year for primarily first year students working ten hours per week. This is based on our assessment of your skills and needs of the CRED. Exceptionally credentialed students might achieve a small fellowship. No graduate assistantships or related tuition reduction from our program or any other program at Clemson is allowed with the program.

We believe our program delivers an excellent return on your investment. In addition to an exceptional program and excellent networking opportunities, you receive benefits from your tuition such as the trip to the Fall ULI Conference, reduced cost of the Maymester SC Coastal tour class, several two-day regional trips, memberships to organizations, and other special activities financed by your tuition.

Students in the MRED program are eligible to borrow from the Federal Stafford Loan and the Graduate PLUS Loan programs. Loans require special handling because MRED students pay differential tuition and are not eligible for a graduate assistant waiver of tuition. Therefore, your loan may not be processed for the final (higher) amount until August when all departmental decisions regarding research analyst positions and fellowships are finalized.

To apply, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to www.fafsa.ed.gov by June 1. If you desire to borrow more than the current federal maximum of $20,500, you may also apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan by June 1. See the instructions in the LOANS section at www.clemson.edu/finaid.

To help you estimate your budget, students were eligible to borrow the following amounts in 2008-09. Please note that to borrow the entire amount, you will need to apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan or a private loan, which requires credit-worthiness or a co-signer. If you receive a fellowship or research analyst stipend (only a few are provided), your loan will be reduced by the amount of your award.

First-Year MRED          In-State $34,236     Out-of-State $34,236
Second-Year MRED     In-State $34,236     Out-of-State $34,236

The department will notify the Office of Student Financial Aid that you have been accepted into the MRED program and if you have been awarded a fellowship or research analyst stipend. The financial aid office will post your fellowship or research analyst stipend, adjust your cost of attendance to reflect your differential tuition, and increase your loan(s) if applicable. Occasionally graduate assistantship waivers are posted automatically if you receive a fellowship (not allowed in this program), and these will be removed at that time. You should not have to notify the financial aid office of your special circumstances, as these adjustments are coordinated with our department. However, if you have financial aid questions, please identify yourself as an MRED student with a higher cost of attendance when contacting their office. As noted above, your fellowship/research analyst position (if applicable) and increased loan amount will not be finalized until August.

You may have an opportunity to work two days each week at a paid internship with a local real estate-related private, public or nonprofit business. Internships may include development feasibility, financial analysis, development packaging, market research and site location analysis, project management and brokerage, land planning and project design, district-level planning and programming, and industry studies. The MRED program provides information on possible positions, but you are responsible for securing your internship. The positions typically require interns to have transportation throughout the metro area (up to a 60-mile radius). Obviously, the availability is based on the real estate market and your abilities to promote yourself. However, it is our goal to assist you to find an internship during your second year.

Please contact the program at curealestate-L@clemson.edu in order to set up a visit schedule. Typically, we will start the session in the morning with the Director, have you visit with a couple of professors individually, possibly attend a class, go to lunch with students and get a tour of campus and the nearby area showing you housing options, and then closing out your day with the Director for any further questions. If you come in the night before or stay the night after the interview, students are typically available to go to dinner or get refreshments and converse with you about the program. If you have severe travel limitations and can only come on a weekend, someone is usually available to meet with you. Mondays and Wednesdays are preferred but any day of the week is fine for the visit.

Clemson University Visitor's Center

Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) airport is an hour away; Atlanta and Charlotte are roughly 2.5 hours away.

Yes, but you need to pick up a Visitors Permit at the Visitors Center—very simple to sign in and pick up. See this link to the Visitors Center for area hotels and various aspects about Clemson including Parking Information.