I think all of those programs are actually better for learning financial modeling than helping you stand out among the crowd: i.e. if you don’t know financial modeling then those courses do a really good job but they’re so expensive. I would just say get a bunch of M&A, LBO, DCF, 3-statement models and go through them yourself: build them from scratch and really understand how they work – it’s the same thing the programs are going to do. I might help if you have a non-finance background before your MBA to take these courses and highlight them on your resume but if you were a previous finance person then it might be a bit over the top.

Are there any programs at your school that offer advanced financial modeling courses?

I agree. The programs are good at helping you train to model, but it won’t necessarily train to help you get a job. What types of things in particular are you trying to learn/accomplish – or is it that you aren’t sure and you are just trying to get an edge?

Personally I’ve done the Investment Banking Institute’s program and it was successfull in teaching me the basics of M&A, LBO and etc. However it was through my university so they did a crash course style over 3 days and they also reduced the price to just over $200. It was worth it for that price poit, but I don’t see the return if you pay the full amount. It is definitely useful in interviews, but it was not the closer for when I landed my Analyst position with a BB. Hope this helps!