International Real Estate Case Competition

About the competition

Each November, Cornell University hosts the Cornell International Real Estate Case Competition (CIRECC), bringing together students from the top 20 undergraduate real estate programs around the world. Each participating university enters a team of up to six undergraduate students to compete in this challenging and enriching academic experience.

Teams analyze a real estate investment case and present their recommendations to a panel of industry professionals. Judges evaluate each team’s investment strategy, analytical approach, presentation skills, and ability to respond thoughtfully to direct and challenging questions.

The competition provides students with an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world real estate challenges while demonstrating their analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Who Should Participate?

The competition is designed for undergraduate students interested in commercial real estate, investment analysis, finance and property investment strategy. Participants should be prepared to collaborate, analyze complex business challenges and defend their recommendations before experienced industry professionals.

Why Participate?

Students have an opportunity to:

• Apply classroom knowledge: Analyze a real-world real estate investment challenge
• Strengthen analytical skills: Evaluate investment opportunities and develop informed recommendations
• Develop presentation skills: Communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently to industry professionals
• Practice critical thinking: Respond to challenging questions and defend investment decisions
• Gain industry exposure: Demonstrate their skills in a competitive environment alongside students from leading real estate programs worldwide
• Compete for cash prizes: Earn recognition and compete for awards totaling $18,500

Competition overview

Team composition, eligibility and participation

• Each university may enter only one team, consisting of no more than six current undergraduate members.
• The competition is designed to showcase the talent and potential of students preparing to enter the real estate industry during the current and following academic years.
• Every team member must have a speaking role in the team’s presentation.

Recommended team selection process

Universities are encouraged to distribute information about the competition broadly across campus and consider hosting an internal case competition to identify their strongest team.

An internal selection process can help universities identify students who demonstrate strong analytical, communication, teamwork, and presentation skills.

Case distribution and analysis

The case will be distributed to each registered team by email. Once the case has been released, teams will have five days to analyze the case and prepare their recommendations.

During this period, outside assistance is strictly prohibited. Teams may not discuss the case with anyone who is not a registered primary team member. This restriction includes faculty, students, alumni, alternate team members, family members, peers and industry professionals.

Teams may use publicly available research and data through the internet and other electronic resources. However, contacting individuals associated with actual property or transaction to gain an advantage is prohibited and may result in disqualification from the current and future competitions.

These rules ensure that each team’s performance reflects its own analysis, recommendations, and preparation.

Prizes

Teams compete for the following cash prizes:

• First Place: $10,000
• Second Place: $5,000
• Third Place: $2,500
• Fourth Place: $1,000

Please review the Schedule, rules & logistics for more information.