I've read that some banks and recruiters ask for SAT scores. Would including a 99th percentile SAT on a resume help an applicant from a non-target school? Considering that recruiters seem to judge applicants' intelligence and work ethic through the school they went to (which is just as dumb as judging it on a test score imo)
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Sure.... but I wouldn't say "99th percentile" I would just include the score.
I've got a data point for Dartmouth. Folks w 35-36 ACT have the same acceptance rate as an average applicant i.e around 8%. Virtually all T20s and top LACs have similar test score stats compared to top targets, but many of em are semi/non targets for a reason.
That said, it does seem to establish credibility. I've seen a lot of non target grads at BBs/EBs put their test scores on linkedin. All of em were 99th percentile and above, which is actually higher than the average at well any non MIT/Caltech type schools.
It won't entirely make up for it but it'll certainly offset *some* of the biases people may have against you. Regardless, the biggest hinderance in going to a non-target is the lack of OCR which will not be an issue so as long you learn how to network then you really shouldn't worry so much. I went to a non-target, did not have a 99th percentile and not even at 80th, but it really never stopped me from sticking a foot in the door outside of MFs or top BBs that I didn't have a foot in the door for. Not saying you can't get to those, because you certainly *can*.
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It’s still better to go to a target, but yes, it helps bridge the gap quite a bit — people will just assume you couldn’t afford Dartmouth, which is fine.
If you have a 4.0, relevant work experience, socially capable, and extracurricular activities, it'll help a bit
I would put it on there. I went to a non/low semi-target school in the honors college and had a 2300+ SAT that I put on my resume next to my GPA. I interned in BB IBD my junior summer and landed buyside out of undergrad. As long as everything else on your resume is in line (GPA, ECs, prior internships, etc.) you’ll stand out amongst your peers at school for sure.
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