To Take or Not Take

[MiredAtLevelIII]

I need a perspective from other Level III candidates or actual CFA charterholders. I am substantially older (in 40s) and passed Level II back in 2001. However, since my professional background centered on the “sell side”, I skipped out on taking Level III as I perceived it more pertinent to buy side jobs. In the meantime, I have gone to law school and acquired a law license and CPA. I possess extensive experience in fixed income–primarily in structuring municipal bonds and mortgage backed securities and in regulatory compliance (think SEC, MSRB and FINRA rules).
While obtaining the CFA charter will not lead directly to a job promotion nor raise, the charter is valued by my industry given the time, effort and difficulty of acquiring. But given my age, I feel my work experience would “trump” the value added of possessing the credential. However, having said that, I have felt that I had “unfinished business” given I started this path well over a decade ago in 2000.
So, any thoughts on whether I should continue and whether it is too late to realistically expect a pass? If I were to prepare for the June 2015 sitting, I was planning to take the USC preparation course offered in the L.A. area. Has anyone had any experience with this course for Level III? Is anyone in a similar situation with any sage words of advice? I have not opened any of the materials, so my efforts would have to be concentrated for the remaining four months. The Level III pass rates are somewhat sobering for the motivation as well.
Thanks in advance!

 

[S2000magician]

I’ve heard good things about the USC course.
I’m in Yorba Linda and tutor all three levels.

 

[storlab]

Other option is online course offered by Schweser…THis is week 3. But this year there is a stellar teacher….Greg Filbeck. Couldn’t say enough good things about his class thus far. They are all archived
USC course uses the Schweser books…at least last year they did. I didn’t take they class but know people who have at USC for all 3 levels. THey like it. It’s taught by a mishmash of instructors I believe. So each week a new local guy/expert in an area may teach.
http://www.cfalacfareview.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3606
Somewhere there on that page, they used to link to the instructors. I know one of the guys, who is a portfolio mgr and CFA but not a professor.
LV3 test is tough..so prepare for that mentally.

 

[vsowers]

I think it’s worth it for the sense of satisfaction alone. But that would just be me. Plus then you can advertise CPA, CFA, and JD. Quite a combo.