Hi All, Before you all jump down my throat, I did a search and found very little information on the Creighton University CFA Boot Camp. Just curious for those that did the boot camp for Level 3, what was your impression of the program? Was it worth it? Pros/Cons? I am interested in signing up for the 2012 Level 3 boot camp, but before I commit, I wanted to get reviews from people that actually went to the camp. Thanks!
I’ve been pimping this program as if I work for Creighton, which I don’t. I took this bootcamp for levels 2 and 3. I think it was most helpful for level 3. One of the instructors, Mark Lefebvre teaches a strategy to attack the much maligned IPS questions that is priceless. The only weakness is the thier coverage of the Econ topic. The guy that covered Econ was incredibly unprepared and basically read slides. Other than the Econ, I think it is worth every penny.
I went this past year and thought it was great. The instructor Marc LeFebvre really knew his stuff and spent a lot of the time tackling past AM exam questions. I went into the AM portion with a lot more confidence than in 2010 when I failed in Band 10. Not sure how I did this year yet (find out tomorrow) but I felt it was worth the cost of the class and the flight/hotel. I would recommend the boot camp over the weekly classes that other companies put out. Pros: - focuses on CFAI material - specifically tackles the IPS calculations - condensed into 4 days, within 3 weeks of exam so you would have had enough time to have seen the material beforehand - cost was reasonable - snacks/drinks were included Cons: - only offered in Omaha, NE - class was a little large (50+ people for level 3)
I went to the L3 boot camp this year. Of all the studying I did, those 4 days were the most helpful, organized, and relevant. Mark Lefabvre is a stud. However, the course is really designed to attack the written section. It’s not so good for the multiple choice, which makes sense because there’s no way to go through all of the possible, calcs, etc in 4 days. If you decide to go, make sure you’re well into your review prior to arrival. That will help you get the max benefit. I agree with ramsey, the econ overview was absolutely horrible. If I failed and have to go back next year, I’ll make sure that guy is not teaching before I spend the $$.
Agreed with everything above. For L3 I think this is the best piece of prep you can do. Lefebvre is a pimp.
Awesome, thank you all for your insights. Looks like I will be signing up for this boot camp. My biggest fear is the AM section in Lvl 3. So if this camp does a good job as far as review and strategy for the AM section, its worth it.
This boot camp is by far the best one you can go to imo. I went to DFW 5 day and thought it was a rip compared to Creighton. Will be money well spent. Oh and Marc Lefevbre is the man.
CFA Jay Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > This boot camp is by far the best one you can go > to imo. I went to DFW 5 day and thought it was a > rip compared to Creighton. Will be money well > spent. Oh and Marc Lefevbre is the man. Sweet! Hearing this from someone who has earned the charter and taken the camp, removes any doubt in my mind about signing up. Thank you!
This post should be permanently affixed to the top and Creighton should have an AF referral source/comp. L3 is going to be packed next year (as well it should be).
To update this… I took the Creighton boot camp and passed!
Attended for level II and III. Passed both on first try and worth every penny.
programmer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > To update this… I took the Creighton boot camp > and passed! Congrats programmer! I have been trolling the Official Results post to see who had passed and I saw your post. Definitely signing up for this boot camp next year.
Wouldn’t have passed without it.
Thanks man. Here is the breakdown. I crushed a lot of the AM portion as I predicted. The boot camp really prepares you well for the essay questions. Essay Q# Topic Max Pts <=50% 51%-70% >70% 1 Portfolio Management - Individual 15 - * - 2 Portfolio Management - Individual 23 - - * 3 Portfolio Management - Institutional 26 - - * 4 Economics 23 - - * 5 Portfolio Management - Asset Allocation 20 * - - 6 Fixed Income Investments 19 - - * 7 Equity Investments 22 - * - 8 Portfolio Management - Risk Management 16 - - * 9 Portfolio Management – Performance Eval. 16 - * - Item Set Q# Topic Max Pts <=50% 51%-70% >70% - Alternative Investments 18 * - - - Economics 18 - * - - Equity Investments 18 - - * - Ethical & Professional Standards 36 - * - - Fixed Income Investments 36 - - * - Portfolio Management - Execution 18 * - - - Portfolio Management - Individual 18 - - * - Portfolio Management - Risk Management 18 - - *
i haven’t attended creighton but i did attend to of marc lefevbre’s review classes through schweser and i completely agree with all the positive comments about marc. i made up my mind that if i didn’ pass this time, i was going to attend creighton next year. fortunately i’ll never have first hand experience with the creighton review classes.
Creighton was my hail Mary this year, as I failed last year and I did not have a lot of time to prepare this year. It worked! Didn’t do as well in the AM as I would have guessed, but better in the PM than expected. In the end, there is no magic bullet, but the tips at the boot camp and review just weeks before the exam are pretty close.
jcole21 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Wouldn’t have passed without it. Congrats jcole21! I saw you post in the Official Results thread too.
Just to add some balance, this love fest is a little over the top. I was there. I’m glad I went. Checked out Omaha. Discovered a couple bars. Gambled a bit. Met some good people. But if I would have spent four days straight studying on my own, which I would not have done, I would have been even more prepared. Marc cares, is enthusiastic, and plays the game, but I think it comes down to how you learn. His course is set up for those that rely on crystallized intelligence. If you are more fluid in your approach, your take away will not be worth the cost. On another note, the course will fill up. It was at capacity this year. If you want to go, sign up NOW if it is open for enrollment.
I’ve failed L3 for the third time and the past two attempts I’ve gotten less than 50% in both the individual and institutional IPS. I walked out of the morning feeling confident that I at least got some points on the IPS’ since I spent so much time on them, but got nothing. Do any of you have a similar experience as mine, went to the Creighton workshop, then showed marked improvement/passed the IPS’?
If you do the bootcamp, you will get >70 on individual ips section.