What is REPEC?
The Real Estate Private Equity Club (“REPEC”) is a selective organization that was founded in 2022 to help high-achieving University of Wisconsin – Madison students project their career trajectory to the fullest potential. The club offers a structured process that equips members with the skills and insights needed to excel in real estate private equity recruiting, internships, and full-time opportunities. In addition, the club equips members with technical training in real estate valuation, financial modeling, and investment analysis, along with exposure to market trends and an extensive alumni network.
Through weekly meetings, interview preparation sessions, case competitions, and semesterly treks to New York or Chicago, REPEC helps members build the skills needed to succeed in the industry. With Wisconsin’s Real Estate program continually ranked as the best in the country, REPEC serves as a catalyst for motivated students to excel in competitive careers in commercial real estate.
Career Placements (Full-Time & Internship Offers):
Main Takeaways of REPEC from current members & alumni:
Ayo Kolawole (Alumni, Class of 2025) – Real Estate Private Equity Analyst at Morgan Stanley
How has REPEC influenced your college and career journey?
I joined REPEC pretty late which was the first semester of my junior year. Before that, I had to grind hard just to get to a point where I could walk into interviews confidently, especially when it came to technical real estate questions. I spent hours on YouTube and other resources trying to fill the gap.
Looking back, if I had joined REPEC earlier, I wouldn’t have needed to do as much of that on my own. The club shaped me in two major ways:
- First, serving on the board for the past two school years and going through the interview and internship process has been incredibly rewarding.
- Second, REPEC gave me a community and structure, something that accelerated my understanding of how to think like a real estate professional.
What’s been your favorite part of the club?
The Harrison Street Case Competition, hands down! I participated during my junior fall, and it felt as close to being “at work” as you can get without actually being at work. The event was well-organized, intense, and incredibly impactful. Now, being in a position to help host REPEC events myself has been incredibly rewarding.
Any advice for students hoping to join next semester?
Get comfortable with the people in the club and build relationships early. Coffee chats and networking aren’t just checkboxes; they’re essential. As a result, network intentionally. Stay tapped into both the REPEC community and the broader market. And remember, if you don’t get in the first time, it’s not over. Reapply, refine your approach, and keep pushing. The effort compounds!!
How has REPEC influenced your college and career journey?
When I joined REPEC in my second semester of freshman year, I had a passion for Real Estate and a love of numbers. The club taught me how to channel those two things and equipped me with the requisite toolset to succeed in the recruitment process. Further, the club has also given me access to a tight knit network that I look forward to growing as I begin my career.
Graham Kunick (Class of 2027) – President
What’s been your favorite part of the club (e.g., events, case competitions, networking)?
What I’ve enjoyed most about REPEC is seeing the club continue to grow and evolve each semester. As a young organization in the business school, REPEC’s progress over the past few years has been incredibly exciting to watch and was one of the factors that motivated me to take on a larger role in the club. Since becoming President, it’s been rewarding to see placements improve, new members join, and new initiatives take shape. This semester has reflected that momentum, as we’ve welcomed 12 new sophomore members and are looking forward to our third annual Harrison Street–Capital One Case Competition, our inaugural trek to New York, and several speaker events throughout the semester.
Any advice for students hoping to join next semester?
I would encourage any underclassmen interested in joining REPEC to reach out to us! We are always happy to chat about our experience in the club and walk through the club recruitment process. We encourage all interested applicants to visit our booth at the WSB org fair in January and keep an eye on our website and LinkedIn for updates on recruitment timelines.
Mason Howard (Class of 2026) – President Emeritus
How has REPEC influenced your college and career journey?
REPEC has contributed heavily to my career journey through preparing me for interviews, hosting information sessions with the top real estate private equity firms and providing me with hands-on investment experience through the Harrison Street case Competition.
What’s been your favorite part of the club (e.g., events, case competitions, networking)?
The mentorship program is by far my favorite part of the club. My mentors were instrumental to my success in navigating the real estate private equity recruitment process, developing technical expertise, and learning the vernacular of the industry.
Any advice for students hoping to join next semester?
Spend time crafting your interview answers, particularly for the question “Why real estate?”. Be ready to explain what’s happening in the real estate market as well. Most importantly, be yourself!
How has REPEC influenced your college and career journey?
I joined REPEC during the first semester of my sophomore year, and when I look back on how far I’ve come both professionally and personally, it’s truly been one of the most influential and rewarding experiences of my life. Early on, I established a strong technical foundation and understanding of macro events influencing the real estate industry beyond the classroom. From there, I took advantage of everything REPEC has to offer: case competitions, networking events with industry professionals, speaker events, peer mentorship, and of course, in-person office visits with real estate private equity firms in Chicago. Our alumni network continues to grow year after year, and it’s inspiring to see how dedicated and supportive the REPEC community has become in shaping the next generation of real estate leaders.
Brooke Dombkowski (Class of 2027) – Internal Communications Chair
What’s been your favorite part of the club (e.g., events, case competitions, networking)?
Although it may sound cliché, my favorite part about REPEC has been the community of people I’ve been able to learn from and grow with as we navigate the real estate industry together. I’ve especially enjoyed the opportunities REPEC has provided to connect personally with professionals, whether that’s networking events, office visits, or speaker sessions. There’s no doubt in my mind that the relationships I’ve built through this club will be with me for the rest of my life.
Any advice for students hoping to join next semester?
REPEC attracts a group of people who are connected through shared values of curiosity, ambition, and collaboration. My biggest piece of advice for anyone interested in becoming a part of this community is to be genuinely eager to learn and contribute. Anything can be taught, but drive, passion, and initiative can’t be. If you bring those qualities to the table, REPEC will give you every tool, connection, and opportunity to grow into the professional you aspire to be.
Connor Vance (Class of 2028) – Member
How has REPEC influenced your college and career journey?
REPEC has been an impactful part of my college experience because of the people in it. The upperclassmen were the first to show me what a career in commercial real estate could look like and helped me navigate everything from classes to interviews. Their mentorship and willingness to help motivated me to give back in the same way. The club taught me how valuable it is to learn from those ahead of you and to surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed.
What’s been your favorite part of the club?
Definitely the people. REPEC attracts some of the most motivated students on campus, and everyone shares the same level of curiosity and ambition for real estate. Whether it is collaborating on case competitions, preparing for interviews, or just talking about market trends after meetings, you are surrounded by peers who push you to grow. It is inspiring to learn from members who have already been where you want to go and are willing to guide you through the process.
Any advice for students hoping to join next semester?
Start early and be proactive. Learn the language of the industry, read real estate news, and get familiar with basic terms and deal concepts. Do not be afraid to reach out to upperclassmen or alumni because everyone remembers being in your shoes and wants to help. The earlier you start building relationships and exploring different areas of real estate, the more confident and prepared you will feel when opportunities come your way.
After gathering these invaluable insights from current members and alumni, if you’re inspired to be part of this exceptional organization, head over to the REPEC website to explore the Spring 2026 recruitment schedule and take the first step toward joining.