My personal experience - being in a frat/sorority helps you break a LOT

I work at a PE MF that recruits out of undergrad, and I've known other senior bankers to, in short, throw out any CVs that are from engineering majors, or those who weren't in a fraternity or sorority. Those in greek life tend to have the social polish and other soft skills to succeed, especially as they become more senior. On the other hand, some virgin, meek CS, engineering or STEM major isn't cut out for PE, or even IBD/S&T/AM past the associate level. That's why there are practically no STEM majors past associate in almost every shop. STEM majors heavily self select from the antisocial, lower-income (because STEM is a reliable money making degree), thus less polished and refined kids. Someone studying philosophy, history, economics or business and is in a fraternity/sorority is the ideal candidate for eventually becoming a senior banker due to their social polish, pedigree and suitability for client-facing and management roles.


TL;DR: My PE MF blatantly dings CVs if the kid majored in STEM or wasn't in a fraternity or sorority.

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no, engineering majors from harvard or stanford are minorities/immigrants who lack social or verbal skills. the real silver spoon is a business or humanities major from dartmouth/wharton who was in a frat

 
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I sort of agree with the theory behind what you said, but a blanket ding is just straight up dumb - would not want to work at you fund as you’re missing out on tons of top candidates in STEM.

Isn’t the point of interviews in part to sus out one’s social interaction ability? Sounds like you just have lazy MDs/HR who didn’t major in STEM and were in frats.

Before you chirp back: majored in Econ at a target, was in a frat, now at a top PE firm.

 

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