Son is going to college and wants to take some investing classes...what to look for?

[Nichole Wall]

So my son is interested in getting into Real Estate investing along with becoming an English professor. He's starting to look at colleges because he's a junior in High School. My question is...should we be looking at colleges that have Real Estate investing majors or are there specific classes that he can take that are really help someone out with real estate investing instead of limiting to only those colleges with those degrees?? There are about 5-6 colleges in NY that have these degrees however they are very expensive! So I was trying to look for courses related to it that he can take as electives. Any advice?? 

[Tom V.]

Don't study real estate in college.  Have him take classes in courses he won't have the opportunity to take elsewhere later in life.  A great Shakespeare professor is hard to come by.  "How to get started in real estate" classes are literally a dime a dozen. 

Don't waste college on fake job training.  Maybe an accounting course at most.  Virtually ever college should have accounting.  

Have him consider renting an apartment and subletting to friends.  Consider buying a house and letting him manage it.  Find a part time job as a property manager.  Have him mow lawns in your neighborhood - that's how to get started in property management....  

All of these are time better spent than listening to somebody explain cap rates or mortgage applications.   That stuff comes in the professional world.