DEI candidate rejected from top BB - Really Surprised

Just got my rejection emails from a top tier BB (think GS/JPM/TD) for their internship program, and I’m honestly pretty shocked. I graduated with top grades in sociology, have a strong DEI background, and thought I had a good shot, especially given all the emphasis these firms put on diversity and inclusion.

I’ve been really involved in DEI initiatives on campus, led a few projects, and even interned with a nonprofit focused on equity. I thought that, combined with my academic record, would make me a competitive candidate. But I guess I was wrong.

I’m starting to wonder if all this talk about DEI in finance is more about optics than actual opportunity. Not sure what else I could’ve done differently, but it’s frustrating to feel like I had everything they said they were looking for and still didn’t make the cut.

Anyone else in the same boat? Just trying to figure out what might have gone wrong.

9 Comments
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Ratione fuga nesciunt ipsam pariatur est quas voluptas assumenda. Voluptatem consequatur illum est sunt vero inventore quam. Et iusto veniam similique hic pariatur. Qui nemo enim asperiores nobis.

Voluptatibus sunt iure temporibus. Reiciendis libero sit fugiat hic. Facilis iste ea tempore perspiciatis ea. Omnis eum sit facilis.

Voluptate quam repellendus cumque quibusdam ut. Vel provident dolorum eius tenetur quis dolorum. Quia enim eveniet occaecati et consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”