How do recruiters view a perfect sat score from a semi-target(Kelley)??? Is going into 150k+ debt for a target worth it?

If I want to go to Stern I would have to take out 75k-100k in loans. 

Could it be a good thing bc it would make me stand out? Compared to Stern where everyone has a 1550+. 

15 Comments
 

Kelley is great. The odds of being held back from anything because you went to Kelley over NYU are tiny. The prestige thing genuinely doesn’t matter if it’s not Harvard Stanford Wharton equivalent or some no name. Congrats on NYU but the name doesn’t mean much more than Kelley, even if networking is easier by virtue of being in NYC. Just my two cents

 
Most Helpful

Lol, the average sat score at Stern compared to Kelley is like 200 points higher and the amount of notable alumni are incomparable. 

You will have to work significantly harder to get the same opps at Kelley you would at NYU. If you work that hard at NYU you can get wayyyy better opps than kelley. 

75k debt isn't even bad and living in NYC alone is worth that, let alone a much better education and brand name. 

 

Thanks. Only worry about Stern is that there is a curve, and it's VERY competitive. Kelley classes are going to be way easier so keeping a high GPA will be less work. At Stern I'll also have more competition with recruiting/interviews/internships. Where will this "work significantly harder" come up? Like will the bar for me on my resume/in interviews just be higher bc I'm not at a target?

Pleasee correct me if I'm wrong, but is there any way it might just be easier to stand out at Kelley? I assume the kids there won't be as tryhard/focused/driven as they would at NYU. 

This is how it is in the college application process ^^ the bar is lower if you're from a bad HS because you're being compared to the other kids at your school. Let me know if I'm wrong, this is just a thought I had. 

 

I don't know where you got the idea that your SAT score is somehow going to be your magic differentiator. Seems to be somewhat archaic in recruiting and you should be focused on your GPA/Prof experiences now. Kelley is a solid program though and if anything will be a more enjoyable college experience with a more traditional college feel. 

 

Ok sorry. I'm trying to cope with the fact if I choose Kelley it'll mean that I spent all of HS getting perfect grades and test scores just for it to not even matter. That's also why I feel like it's so hard for me to pass up Nyu. I got the idea because I've seen posts on this website saying that a good SAT score helps differentiate you at a nontarget. So I want to know how much it differentiates you and if that difference makes up for the difference between NYU and indiana

 

mama2429034

Ok sorry. I'm trying to cope with the fact if I choose Kelley it'll mean that I spent all of HS getting perfect grades and test scores just for it to not even matter. That's also why I feel like it's so hard for me to pass up Nyu. I got the idea because I've seen posts on this website saying that a good SAT score helps differentiate you at a nontarget. So I want to know how much it differentiates you and if that difference makes up for the difference between NYU and indiana

Yeah. Your perfect grades and test scores don’t matter either way. You should have spent more time being a normal high school kid.

 

IU Alumni. Everyone ik at / from NYU hates it / hated it. Also were a couple interns in my class from there they all sucked. IU isn't the greatest, especially if you aren't from the midwest and don't join greek life. That being said, I'd come back to IU versus going to NYU any day of the week. Can't beat the big 10 sports, the culture, etc. I wouldn't want to spend my college years in NYC without a campus that seems so lame.   

 

Internships, connections, and campus involvements are much more important than SAT when it comes to banking recruitment. A strong SAT score, arguably, can make your resumé look a little better, but all else equal, there is so many other things worth more considerations. 

 

Marginal difference between Kelley and NYU Stern is not worth $100k.

If you get a 1600 on the SAT and have on your resume, you’ll get looks as long as everything else is solid.




 

 

Et dignissimos rem est ratione illo. Nihil optio sed incidunt consequatur optio cum est veniam. Eos dolorum omnis harum ut ut reprehenderit. Earum occaecati qui sint et.

Reiciendis aliquid libero natus dignissimos. Quia velit numquam alias voluptatem laudantium nesciunt ea autem. Soluta quo velit sed sit consequatur aspernatur voluptatum. Consectetur quidem iste velit voluptas culpa velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”