HEC Paris Summer Program Worth It?
Just wondering if anybody has some knowledge about the HEC Paris Summer Program: Investment Banking and International Finance. Basically, the course is two weeks long in which they address topics like; M&A, LBO's, Financing, and Valuation. Would it be worth it and how does it look on your resume? Or should I just focus on a WallStreetPrep course + Rosenbaum & Pearl?
Some background: Currently studying Econometrics & Operational Research, at the best university in my country but highly doubt recruiters will know that; got a decent GPA; and my university provides all the basic finance course on bachelor level, and all the interesting finance courses are on master level.
Cheers
Hey,
I did this course 2 years ago. Overall I was very satisfied, but I don't think its something employers will care about. However, I noticed that most people do it simply because they think its a good starting point to understand IB and CF.
I actually think its a great starting point. Yes, its very intensive, and you're in classes every day (except friday) between 9am and 12pm, 1 hour lunch break, and 2pm to 5-6pm. You get homework, and you need to do an exam at the end (although Patrick - the lead professor is the chillest dude you'll meet, and he doesn't make the exam hard - if anything, its easy).
I'm not sure if they changed the programme since I was there, but you'll be learning about Financial Analysis, Valuation, Startup Valuation & Fund Raising, Hybrid Financing, Strategic Development Financing, Window Dressing and M&A - Advanced Brand Valuation - those are all the topics I did.
I noticed some people struggled to understand the bigger picture because they don't explain what topics belong to each areas of IB, so you might feel confused at the end, but the classes are really really really interactive - they are really long yes (±3 hours each session with no breaks), but its worth every minute. In fact, part of your grade is based on how much you interacted with the professor and the class in general.
Teaching is 5 stars. I'd say 70% of classes will be taught by Patrick, but he's an actual god of banking. They'll also bring a lot of people working in industry to deliver some of the topics like IPO's. You'll learn mainly with case studies - my favorite was when we made an IPO for Ferrari from scratch.
Speaking for myself, I'd personally take this course because you'll be learning from people with REAL experience. They know what they're teaching. If you can afford it, do it. But in my opinion, it doesn't have much value-added in terms of employer perceptions. I'd do it if i'm genuinely interested in IB. I'd definitely do it again though ;)
Thank you for such an elaborate reply, I really appreciate it. I am leaning towards going now. What was your experience with the people that did the course with you? Did you like the general vibe of the university?
Well, HEC is about 20-30 minutes from Paris in a place called jouey en josas. Its a pretty isolated place and tbh, the uni is in the middle of nowhere, so you'll stay in their uni accomondation - its been remodelled so it may seem a bit old, but it'll do the job just fine.
You get a really strong vibe tbh - depending on the intake, your classes will be in the MBA building which is that dark yellow building you see in pictures of the school, but it might also be in the Grande Ecole building. The thing is, I didn't seem to mind any of it because you feel really motivated when you're there - I can't explain why (maybe its because it IS the second best business shool in Europe according to FT).
I don't remember much about the people except that it was a really diverse cohort of students - no frat-type atmosphere or anything like that, it was a genuine learning environment. If you decide to go, there's a hotel literally 30 seconds from the school entrance - i'd recommend you stay there before the check-in day. If you're coming from the outside, the closest airport is Orly. If you want, you can also do the M&A course after the Investment Banking one. A lot of the people in my cohort that year did both courses.
Just message me if you need any other sort of information :)
I'd only do it if you get credit for it as part of your current degree (i.e., you can take a course less at your home uni).
Alternatively, I would take an easy Finance course at the LSE summer school if you're primarily interested in the signalling effect to employers. That way you also get to enjoy 3 weeks of your summer in London.
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