thatbiggbadwolfy

Note that this is College Confidential and not all of us are graduates. In fact, this discussion about SAT I score applies to the majority of students who are applying for summer analyst positions. Some are freshman, some are sophomores; most are juniors and seniors.

"I would never put an SAT score or High School name on a resume. Both are a waste of useful space (there are better, more relevant things to put on the page) and, IMHO, it's a bit tacky."

Your statement here overshadows any attempt to reconcile with our view that school name and SAT scores are considered/reviewed. The poster above you said that his "famous" high school name was used in conversation. But let me give a retort to what you said:

1. What division was Alexandre applying into in GS? IBD? IT? Merchant Banking? Private Equity? Even if we assume that his experience is typical (and if so, everyone can just lie about their SAT score), GS is not the only firm in the bulge bracket--this is what I am emphasizing.

2. A strong, competitive secondary education background prepares you for college. Let's say your high school did not grades as generously as others. You had a lower GPA (which banks do ask for: high school GPA's) but high SAT I scores. Alternatively, with inflation, you have a great high school GPA, but your SAT scores are abysmal. Obviously, grade inflation is attributed to this phenomenon: someone who has a near perfect GPA but doesn't have basic math/verbal reasoning skills. This explains how some end up in top undergraduate schools with poor college GPA's (but have the prestige's edge) and how bright students who go to state colleges--aren't exactly dumb (but do not have any big banks at their career fair). So, when the cut-throat evaluations come, the SAT levels the playing field, gives students in non-Tier 1 schools a chance for an interview, and the scores are but one indicator of performance.

We are again talking about the inclusion of SAT I scores , since your knee-jerk reaction obviously did not take my comments into context and your "Haha" derision does not help your argument at all. We're not talking about success in getting jobs after college. We're talking about now, current college students who have not graduated. It's almost like a transfer application: the more junior you are, the more closely your high school record follows.

Even in the link you provided, it's clear that the McKinsey's, Bains, and Lazards want SAT score, evaluate SAT score, and do comparisons with SAT score. I would not base my argument on 1 GS experience. The Vault snapshots that are sponsored by ibank firms clearly state a requirement of competitive SAT I scores.

3. The one page norm is not law: 2 pages are fine. Case in point: my resumes were never thrown away being 2 pages. Reviewers: Pfizer, Novartis, Bloomberg, Merrill Lynch, etc. The point of the resume is to get the interview and to outline talking points during the interview.

4. Don't you think senior mangement--their alma mater--is familiar with the elite boarding schools? Compare a college student a Uchicago who graduated from Exeter and a student at Dartmouth, who graduated from a no-name high school.

We're not putting one's entire high school life/drama story on the resume. Just the name of the school, if famous/reputable and the SAT I score that the majority of investment banks, boutique firms, asset management firms, and consulting firms request/evaluate.

dhl3

Thnx guys for such detailed answers.
One more question though.
My SAT score is not very good (1320 out of 1600), and now having read all these answers here, I'm starting to get worried.

do you think it's ok if i retake the SAT now (I'm a sophomore in college) and get a higher score? I mean, majority of the argument here seems to indicate that SAT scores are used only to measure the difficulty level of the high school attended. If that's the only reason, would it be pointless to retake SAT during the college to get a better internship?

How would the recruiters view SAT scores taken during the college years?

thatbiggbadwolfy

I believe it's always in good favor to retake standardized tests simply on the reason of picking up strategies and basic knowledge for the other exams conducted by ETS, etc.

Case in Point: You did not escape the SAT I post-high school. There's the GRE, the GMAT, LSAT, and so on so forth.

The GRE/GMAT's verbal does not deviate much from the old SAT I verbal section sans the analogies.

They can take it without a second thought, OR, they can scrutinize it and ask, how come your school is out of 2400?

You can use this in your favour, and say: Well, I did poorly before, but I studied my material and confronted the exam, and I have a competitive score now.

It one, shows you are committed into your career search, and two, you have enough respect for the firm that you actually retook the SAT I.

It's not pointless because your SAT I score will either follow you and give you a leg up or haunt you.

sweetdreams87

So I met with an associate at Goldman Sachs today (not a formal interview, more an informational kind of thing), and he took a look at my resume. I asked him about the high school thing, and he said it was good to list since a lot of people are indeed familiar with the school and you never know, it could help. As for my SAT score, he also thought it was good to list because it reinforces high academic achievement.

After talking to my school's career center and a few recruiters, this is my conclusion: I think it's fine to not list your high school or your SAT I (unless specifically requested), but if you feel like it might help your resume because your high school is sufficiently well-known or your SATI score is impressive, then do it. Nobody's going to think you're horribly naive because of it.

thatbiggbadwolfy

Excellent point. I rest my argument. If you must know, Lehman and Morgan Stanley will say and have said the same thing.

gonsenheim

I believe Goldman asks for SAT scores as well.

justdrop

Bain wants them too

dhl3

ok so i should retake it for sure...
but as for my second question (is it ok to retake it during college), any other opinion on that? Is it worth it?

grandpabuzz

I retook it last October (as a freshman in college) and I'm putting my score up there.

gonsenheim

im a junior...probably too late to retake now haha

angel5000

I had a 730 in math and 610 in verbal. I got an email from lehman brothers asking me to apply to their summer analyst program...but they want my SAT score breakdown...and as some one said earlier 1400 is their cut off. So should I put my score on my resume or not??

Also, I am currently a junior pursuing a double major in Mechanical engineering and economics with an amazing GPA, and recently got interested in ibanking (I thought I wanted to be an engineer but not really interested in it anymore). I really have no past work experience, however I am very involved in on-campus activities and have various leadership positions. How much do you guys think the lack of work experience is going to come in the way of me trying to get into banking and how should I compensate for that if I am trying to look for an intership in banking this summer?? (P.S. Are they done hiring for the summer?? One of my friends told me most of them are done by december?? Is that true??)

Plus...I noticed some of you guys are just freshmen...and I realize you have already started networking..I was wondering how important it is to network to get into banking and if I am a little too late now in trying to get an intership in one of the top banks.

And one last thing can you guys recommend some good books on ibanking which are a must-read if you want to get into the field. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

GoldenBear10

Im interested in working at a bulge bracket firm. i am currently a freshman at berkeley and recieved a pretty low score on the test (1980/2400). If i maintain a 3.75+ GPA at Berkeley's top-notch b-school (haas), would i still be at a significant disadvantage with my SAT score?

Also, i plan on taking the LSAT in the spring of my junior year and i expect to do much better on that than i did on the SAT (I know, its may be too early to assume this, but lets assume its true), so would a very good LSAT score suffice for a relatively score on the SAT?

Also, do they ask for supporting documentation for SAT scores (like ETS records)? If not, can people lie and do people lie?

Thanks

dpa38d2u

Goldman Sachs asks for your SAT scores... they break it down into tiers from 1551-1600, 1501-1550...etc. It sucks if you got 1550 (like me) or 1500 oh well. they ask for the breakdown as well

Some banks (Barclays's), which i'll be applying to in the next couple of days, I've heard that they ask for your AP scores as well! yikes

bumpitybump

so basically if you have a 1400 will it be unwise to list yours...? just wondering...

dpa38d2u

well if they ask for it by all means do. i don't put my SAT score when they don't ask for it.