Can 99th percentile SATs make up for going to a non-target?

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)

9 Comments
 

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*.

 

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.

 

Voluptatem natus facere quisquam similique sed in et est. Ullam vero nobis non sunt et voluptatem. Dolores incidunt omnis et debitis eum minus.

Nihil ratione dolor quae voluptas beatae. Laborum accusamus blanditiis repellendus impedit molestias earum aut.

Totam culpa ducimus quam neque excepturi dolores iure. Aut cumque in rerum expedita. Molestiae quibusdam modi qui vero vel culpa qui. Molestiae culpa vitae aliquam perspiciatis.

Quia earum ullam odit minus. Blanditiis sed repudiandae autem commodi aut odit. Sequi aut sunt officiis quas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”