The Folsom Institute stands out as the single most helpful resource during my time on campus.
Wes Gilmer
BBA Finance, ‘18
Investment Advisory Analyst at HFF
Folsom Institute
The backbone of real estate activity at SMU since 1984, the Folsom Institute bridges the academic and professional worlds. Through its dynamic programming, students gain hands-on experience and make invaluable connections in the Dallas real estate market. The takeaway? A solid foundation for success in this constantly evolving industry.
Folsom Institute By The Numbers 2023-2024
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SMU Real Estate Alumni Society Members
1,200 -
Board Mentoring Events in Spring 2023
176 -
Full Time Positions Placed in Fall 2022 & Spring/Summer 2023
172 -
Internships Secured in Fall 2022 & Spring/Summer 2023
274 -
Endowed MBA Scholarships
$1MM+ -
Real Estate Roundtable Firms
15 -
Scholarships/Awards Presented
$180K -
Student Club Members
634 -
ULI & NAIOP Travel Scholarships
$15K
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Mission Summary
The Robert and Margaret Folsom Institute for Real Estate was originally established to provide outreach to the real estate community to be actively involved in the research and debate of critical private and public land use issues. For almost forty years, the Institute has been the backbone of the study of the real estate industry at SMU, supporting the real estate academic programs at both the BBA and MBA levels. The Institute is cultivating tomorrow’s real estate leaders by its dedication to academic excellence, real world applications, leadership coaching, networking opportunities and career placements.
Over the last nine years the Folsom Institute for Real Estate experienced consecutive student and industry growth, advancing from 14 RE Club members to 634, and 47 Advisory Board members to 205.
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A Board Comprised of Real Estate Leaders Across the U.S.
Comprised of top industry leaders, the Board is an intentional blend of both SMU alumni and non-SMU members alike. It incorporates nine (9) Corporate partners, 48 Leadership Circle level members, 68 Advisory level members, and 30 Associate level members (real estate professionals under the age of 35). Collectively, the Board links the Institute, students and the University to 92 different real estate companies in 19 cities across the US. Each Board member contributes both financial resources and time to further advance the goals set forth by the Institute.
Learn more about the institute's outreach to the professional community
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Supporting Student Success
A hub of knowledge and center for market-leading research, the Folsom Institute is fostering the next generation of real estate leaders with programming that includes:
- Scholarships and awards: in one recent academic year, students received close to $100,000 in funding.
- Internships and access to full-time employment opportunities
- Hands-on learning: company visits, info sessions and career treks
- Case study competitions and travel subsidies
- Membership dues in key industry organizations
- Travel costs for participation in industry conferences
- Mock interviews and career coaching
- Technical training in industry software: Argus, Tableau and many more
- Unparalleled networking opportunities: board mentorship; executive speaker series; breakfasts and coffees
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Affiliated Academic Departments