Eastdil Training Program?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, the Eastdil Secured (often abbreviated as "Eastdil") training program is highly regarded in the industry, especially for those looking to dive deep into real estate investment banking. While specific details about the weeklong EDS training program are not directly mentioned, it's known that Eastdil's training, particularly for new hires, is intensive and designed to equip participants with a solid foundation in financial modeling and understanding of real estate markets.

Comparing Eastdil's training to online courses such as those offered by Wall Street Prep (WSP), Breaking Into Wall Street (BIWS), and others, there are a few considerations:

1. Depth and Focus: Eastdil's training is likely to be more specialized towards real estate investment banking, given their market position and expertise in this area. This means for someone like you, currently interning at a hotel-focused REPE (Real Estate Private Equity) shop and looking to broaden your exposure, Eastdil's program could offer valuable insights into other segments of real estate beyond just hotels.

2. Practical Application: Training programs conducted by firms like Eastdil are often more hands-on and practical, focusing on real-world applications. This could provide a more immersive experience compared to some online courses which might be more theoretical or broad in scope.

3. Networking and Mentorship: Participating in Eastdil's training program could also offer networking opportunities with professionals in the field and potential mentorship from seasoned experts, which is something that online courses cannot offer to the same extent.

4. Online Course Flexibility: On the other hand, online courses offer flexibility in terms of pacing and scheduling, which can be beneficial if you're balancing the internship and looking to learn at your own pace. They also cover a wide range of topics that can complement firm-specific training by providing a broader base of knowledge.

In conclusion, if your goal is to sharpen your general modeling skills with a focus on real estate, the Eastdil training program could offer a more specialized and practical approach compared to general online courses. However, incorporating online courses as supplementary learning tools could also be beneficial for a more rounded skill set.

Sources: Eastdil training vs other brokerages (CBRE, Newmark, etc) - Adam Spies/Doug Harmon, WSP vs Wall Street Training vs BIWS vs NYIF Investment Banking Certification