MBA in Real Estate for Architecture Background? Evaluate my profile please!

[dary410]

Hi all,

I am considering getting a MBA with a focus in real estate with a background in architecture. Can you help me evaluate my case and advise me in what I need to prepare for this career change and what school I should consider? Looking to apply next year and start MBA by fall 2011.

My credentials:

- BA. Architecture, UC Berkeley: 3.57 GPA
- Will have 3 years of work exp at an architecture firm doing school projects with experience from schematic design to construction administration.
- Took some introductory classes in accounting/econ/finance while at berkeley. Real Estate Simulation in one of my architecture classes, awarded pilot team.
- Some volunteering work to help build low-income housing
- Interned at a big architecture firm in Taiwan
- Fluent in Mandarin

Achievements:
- LEED AP (Sustainability Professional Certification)
- An international city planning competition winner (out of 111 entries)

Here's why I am considering this career change:

- Low pay and difficult career advancement (no say in design until you become the principal)
- I was never the artistic one or humanitarian ones in architecture school. In fact, I like to approach projects from the budget side, more down to earth than my fellow colleagues.
- The design competition experience made me realize building grand architecture comes from the initial urban planning and the entrepreneurship of the developers. Real estate development seemed like an exciting career.

My biggest concern would be getting LORs. I would not be able to get any recommendations from my architecture professors. Is LORs from coworkers and my boss be sufficient?

Also would I be disadvantaged in landing a job after MBA for no exact exp in real estate? Just want to know if MBA is really the solution for me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!

Dary