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.

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