How selective is Swiss Finance Institute?
Swiss Finance Institute is highly selective. For the incoming summer class of 140+ students during the June-July 2008 session, Swiss Finance Institute received several hundred applications. While most applicants are qualified to attend the program, we are unable to offer admission to all who qualified applicants. As a part of its highly selective admissions process, Swiss Finance Institute seeks mature individuals who will thrive in a challenging academic and work environment where teamwork and professionalism are paramount.

Who can apply?
We seek excellence, passion, and integrity in our applicants. The success and future of the International Wall Street Training Program depends upon the quality of its accepted participants. We are committed to a fair admission process that brings together highly ambitious individuals who share our program values.

We accept applications from undergraduate students, graduate students including MBA, JD, and doctoral students, and recent graduates, as well as those with several years of work experience. We seek diversity in academic backgrounds and therefore all majors and academic concentrations are welcome to apply.

I am very interested in a career in investment banking, but do not have a background in finance and am afraid that the Program may be too fast-paced for me. Should I apply?
If you are interested in a career in investment banking, capital markets, institutional sales or proprietary trading, or if you simply wish to boost your career prospects in any competitive industry, you can apply for the Investment Banking Program, which is specifically tailored to build the knowledge and the skills that one needs to find job opportunities at investment banks and to excel in those and other industries. The Investment Banking Program also goes into the rigors of M&A modeling, leveraged buyouts, private equity and hedge fund strategies.

You do NOT need to have a background in business or finance. While we welcome strong performing students with backgrounds in all academic disciplines, we specifically encourage students with liberal arts and sciences backgrounds to apply to our programs. In fact, more than half of our students do not major in business or finance. Having a background in finance is not likely to offer you a significant advantage over liberal arts students during the course of our program because the majority of what we cover in our programs is not covered in undergraduate or graduate business schools. The learning curve is steep for both programs for all attendees, but accepted students are expected to complete pre-arrival assignments that will bring them up to speed. We are confident that the students we admit through our highly selective process have the skills and talent to work hard and grasp the material that is covered in our classes.

I was offered admission in 2005 or 2004. Can I attend in 2009?
No. You need to re-apply and be offered admission again.

I am interested in gaining a very solid grounding in business. I have some background in business and finance, but am not particularly interested in a career in investment banking or corporate finance. Is Swiss Finance Institute right for me?
You should carefully review our rigorous curriculum and consider applying because our Program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the core fundamentals of business. Even if you have a background in business and finance, you will find that there are opportunities for both practical and applied learning that are not available in the typical classroom setting and that are geared towards giving our students a competitive edge in their chosen careers. The majority of the students who attend our Investment Banking Program have a strong interest in that industry, so the program’s curriculum is particularly tailored to develop the specific set of skills needed for success in that industry. If your interests lie elsewhere, or if you are undecided, you can still benefit a great deal from the Program, as it will equip you with skills that are highly applicable to any career.

How do I apply? What are the application requirements?
We require GPA, class rank, standardized test scores for at least one of SAT / ACT / GMAT / GRE / LSAT, resume and two essays about past and current achievements. Standardized test scores are required of US applicants, but optional for others. European and other non-US applicants must provide their class rank, as well as a complete description of grades, coursework, and academic qualifications. To start application, click here.

After filling out the application online, do I need to send anything else?
Yes. Accepted students must send an official copy of their university transcript (academic performance record) to Swiss Finance Institute at the address indicated on our website. (Only applicants who have been offered admission are required to do so by post.) US applicants are also required to send photocopies of their official standardized test scores.

I am a non-US applicant and don’t know my GPA. I also never took SAT / ACT / GMAT / GRE/ LSAT. What should I indicate on the application form?
US applicants must state their GPA, as well as their SAT or ACT scores. Graduate students are required to state their GMAT / LSAT / GRE scores, as well as provide a description of graduate level coursework. European and other non-US applicants must state their class rank, as well as a complete description of grades, coursework, and academic qualifications.

What is the application deadline?
Please visit the admissions page on our website for the most recent program deadlines. Irrespective of the deadline, we encourage you to apply well before the stated date as space is very limited and our classes quickly reach capacity.

It is important to note that we stop accepting applications as soon as our program reaches capacity. An early application allows us to make an early decision, which in turn allows you to better plan your domestic or international travel and take advantage of affordable flights.

Do I need to know a language other than English to attend?
No, the language of instruction is only English.

I see that application requirements include both GPA (Grade Point Average) and standardized test scores for US applicants. Do you have cut-offs for grades and/or test scores?

No. When reviewing applications, we look at the admissions criteria (GPA, standardized test scores, resume, recommendation letter and essays) as a whole. If you have a strong interest in attending one of our programs, we encourage you to invest time in writing strong essays and submit an early application. We are looking for well-rounded individuals, and we understand that an applicant’s talent and potential cannot be measured by grades and test scores alone. If your grades and/or standardized test scores are of particular concern to you, a great way to distinguish yourself is through your essays.

I am really interested in attending the program, but I have absolutely no work experience or internships; I have not even taken a class in business or finance. Will this have an adverse impact on my admission?

We neither expect nor require you to have finance or business background. Our teaching methodology focuses on “real world” practical and applied knowledge and skills. Irrespective of whether you are a college student or an MBA, if you are interested in obtaining top-notch training in finance or business, we encourage you to submit your application.

Does Swiss Finance Institute offer financial aid?
No. Some of our participants are, however, able to secure funding from their home universities and governmental agencies to defray the cost of attending Swiss Finance Institute. While they do so on their own initiative, our faculty is available to answer any questions the home university’s dean, financial aid office, or registrar may have about our programs.

What is the difference between the various programs being offered? Is it better to attend the European (or the American) program if I am interested in working in London (or New York)?
All our programs offer the highest quality training, mentoring, and coaching. Programs also have similar curriculum and structure. Our instructors are seasoned finance executives with transaction experience in many countries. We offer a truly global perspective on financial markets and business strategy. Our students have career options around the world, and location does not make a difference. The programs are occasionally offered at different locations and / or times to offer choice.

Since our students possess strong academic credentials and come from every corner of the world, they also bring a unique perspective to the classroom.

What is a typical class size?
Although size varies from program to program, we expect between 100 and 200 highly qualified students in each summer class.

I have researched many training programs. After carefully reviewing the entire Swiss Finance Institute website, it became clear to me that Swiss Finance programs are unique and interesting in many ways. If you were to compare the Institute to the other programs that are available, what would you say makes Swiss Finance Institute remarkable?
As you pointed out correctly, it is important to review the entire website to get a sense of all that the Institute has to offer to its participants. We can easily point out many things that we believe make us unique:

Academic Orientation: We are not a typical "summer camp." Our academic experience is as rigorous as working at an investment bank or trading on a prop trading desk. The program is suitable only for those individuals who seek a rigorous intellectual and training experience.

Faculty from I-Banking, Trading and Hedge Funds: Our lecturers, in their background, experience and outlook, are not like typical university or corporate instructors. They have actual relevant industry experience as well as significant teaching and mentoring experience. The only way to receive inside scoop on the investment banking industry is to speak with a seasoned industry professional who wishes to mentor you. Please visit our faculty page for more information.

Applied Skills: Our students develop skills that allow them to hit the ground running once they start at investment banks, hedge funds and consulting firms. They also develop strong networking and interviewing skills.

Location: We typically hold programs in great cities worldwide, such as Boston, New York, London and in several places in Switzerland.

Residential Experience: Depending on the program and location our students experience mountain chalets, pretty college campuses and quality hotels, which we believe is unique for a program of this kind.

Extra-curricular: Our students experience cultural activities that allows networking and fun.

Affordable: Other programs are substantially more expensive.

Lifelong Friendships: Students work in teams and develop a lifelong network of friends who are going to be successful.

Industry Recognition: Swiss Finance curriculum and training are very well respected by investment banks and other top employers.

Networking: In the recent programs, Swiss Finance Institute organized networking events for its students to mingle with investment bankers from various bulge bracket firms and admissions officers from top five US graduate business schools. Our alumni base continues to grow, and we organize reunions and networking events around the world.

Am I going to have any free time?
Yes, you will have limited free time on weekends. Students dedicate themselves fully to academics during weekdays so that they can arrive well-prepared for the classes, read and discuss the assigned cases, prepare high quality presentations with their teams, contribute to the classroom via thoughtful discussion, and enhance the learning experience of everyone via a lively atmosphere. Students are also assigned homework or group exercises during weekends. Weekly exams are held on Sunday evenings. Everyone must exhibit a very high degree of commitment to academics because the right mindset affects not only their own learning experience, but also that of their peers.

Will I receive a certificate from Swiss Finance Institute?
Yes, participants receive a certificate and a transcript (academic performance record), which is based on exam grades coupled with 180 degrees reviews conducted by faculty members and fellow students. The review process is similar to the evaluations performed by investment banks for their Analysts, Associates, VPs, and Managing Directors.

Will I get a job if I attend the program?
The program is designed to assist students in their preparation for the job market and their job search. While we are a career development program geared towards enhancing career prospects, we offer no guarantee that your participation will lead to an employment offer.

Given the short duration of the program, we typically do not have any on-campus recruitment activities. Past programs have featured career panels with representatives of firms such as Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Lehman Brothers, as a learning experience only. Events such as this coupled with alumni reunions do provide networking opportunity for students. Our programs are primarily learning experiences and we discourage students from applying if their main purpose is to land a job.

Our program offers a rigorous and highly relevant educational experience that is valued by investment banking employers worldwide.

What is the application fee?
There is a $40 application fee for Regular Decision applicants. Although there is no application fee for Priority Decision applicants, there is a pre-enrollment deposit requirement. Please see the application portal for further details.

Since the scope of Swiss Finance Institute training goes beyond Swiss capital markets, private banking and hedge funds, and in fact includes a comprehensive coverage of global investment banking, capital markets, trading, entrepreneurship and general management, why are you called “Swiss Finance?”
Many people are curious about where our name comes from, so here are some answers!

While we offer training relevant to individuals who want to learn about and work in investment banking, consulting and other industries worldwide, in places like New York, Greenwich, San Francisco, London and Hong Kong – not just Zurich and Geneva – there are many interesting reasons why we are called "Swiss Finance."

• Our institute was conceptualized and launched in Switzerland
• We are a Swiss company incorporated as Swiss Finance Education GmbH
• The majority of our programs are held in Switzerland; some are held in the United States and the United Kingdom
• Our curriculum, while balanced and inclusive of Wall Street culture, case studies and simulations, also has Swiss finance and banking modules, such as private banking and wealth management, that are relevant for people interested in finance, banking, entrepreneurship and consulting, irrespective of physical location
• While our key faculty members have done billion dollar deals on Wall Street and in the City of London, our faculty, staff, consultants and administrators have also included Swiss nationals with deep experience in Swiss banking and finance