Grade Inflation at Top Schools and Its Impact on Campus Recruiting?

[Anonymous]

If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

[Anonymous]

uh. this has been asked and answered a thousand times here. do we need another new thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:uh. this has been asked and answered a thousand times here. do we need another new thread?

Can you share any old thread? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

lol. No.

[Anonymous]

Generally they are looking for the opposite of math competition results: charisma, high EQ and good looks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally they are looking for the opposite of math competition results: charisma, high EQ and good looks.

Err. Even English news media said the opposite from what you said, are you sure? - If you want a job at Citadel or Citadel Securities, enter these competitions https://www.efinancialcareers.de/en/news/citadel-olympiad?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

USAMO gets you in the door. Colleges are not important, they recruit USAMO qualifiers even from state flagships. Jane Street, Citadel, DE Shaw, all doing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally they are looking for the opposite of math competition results: charisma, high EQ and good looks.

Err. Even English news media said the opposite from what you said, are you sure? - If you want a job at Citadel or Citadel Securities, enter these competitions https://www.efinancialcareers.de/en/news/citadel-olympiad?utm_source=chatgpt.com

This person isn’t talking about Quant, IB is mostly what they’re talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

USAMO gets you in the door. Colleges are not important, they recruit USAMO qualifiers even from state flagships. Jane Street, Citadel, DE Shaw, all doing this.

That's good to know. I also heard that recruiters also look at high schools to access background because college grade inflation, is that true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

USAMO gets you in the door. Colleges are not important, they recruit USAMO qualifiers even from state flagships. Jane Street, Citadel, DE Shaw, all doing this.

Note DE Shaw is more sciencey. A lot of actual PhD scientists walking around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

USAMO gets you in the door. Colleges are not important, they recruit USAMO qualifiers even from state flagships. Jane Street, Citadel, DE Shaw, all doing this.

If you missed that boat, try Putnam as an undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally they are looking for the opposite of math competition results: charisma, high EQ and good looks.

Maybe if you want to be in Private Client Services or Investor Relations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If grade inflation is happening at elite colleges or Ivy League schools, as reported by the New York Times and other outlets, how do on-campus recruiters distinguish between applicants? I’ve also heard that some hedge funds and investment banks actually ask for or look at applicants’ prior math-competition results (such as USAMO or AIME). This was mentioned in the Chinese social media—is that actually true?

USAMO gets you in the door. Colleges are not important, they recruit USAMO qualifiers even from state flagships. Jane Street, Citadel, DE Shaw, all doing this.

That's good to know. I also heard that recruiters also look at high schools to access background because college grade inflation, is that true?

No, high school doesn't matter because most kids, even brilliant ones, have absolutely zero control over where they want to high school.

I guess maybe if you graduated as Valedictorian of Stuy or TJHSST you might get a second look, but even among smart kids, that type of background would be rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally they are looking for the opposite of math competition results: charisma, high EQ and good looks.

Err. Even English news media said the opposite from what you said, are you sure? - If you want a job at Citadel or Citadel Securities, enter these competitions https://www.efinancialcareers.de/en/news/citadel-olympiad?utm_source=chatgpt.com

This person isn’t talking about Quant, IB is mostly what they’re talking about.

In IB, what they are looking for is the ability to grind for long hours, not make mistakes, respond quickly to calls and emails, manage your workload, and get things done on time. So I would say more important than all the things mentioning above are high "executive functioning" skills (those skills that help you plan, organize, and complete tasks).

Also, you do not need to be great looking to be in IB or have naturally amazing charisma. However, you do have to come off as authoritative and competent, which again goes back to those executive functioning skills.

[Anonymous]

PP here who posted about exec functioning skills and about how high school doesn't matter. I worked in recruiting for IB and also for consulting (after actually being a consultant myself). Happy to answer questions.