High School drop-out securing BB Interviews, not 'fitting' in

Some honest feedback on this one Monkeys, I know that an attention grabber in my cover letters and interviews has been raising the fact that beyond target school performance/activities and credentials, I took advice really drive home my drive and determination by highlighting that I catapulted from being a high school dropout to both an Ivy-League economics degree and masters. I've noticed that it's impressive and sticks with people (even though I accomplished quite a bit more). I always relate it back to drive and determination necessary in competitive environments. Is this an intangible or hurting me or making me stand out?

While it's not the first or primary thing brought up, It's definitely is what recruiters appear to remember. One (1) recruiter said they appreciated the I was "humble, a bit of an underdog...you don’t sell yourself unless necessary, come back hard from mistakes, and always come out on top" while (2) another just didn't ask any questions about my internships/training/finance work just zoned in on the high school dropout story. (3) the other just said "you have a very compelling story and it shows a lot of strength" and the last one said (4) this has been a very interesting conversation (seeming very bewildered). Am I differentiating myself or simply hurting my chances for final rounds by not "fitting in, not being vanilla, or coming across as different"?

 

Fuga ut commodi ea suscipit suscipit doloremque. Ut sed velit voluptates neque atque placeat omnis. Minus ut consequatur at voluptatem at. Saepe sint quo et perspiciatis adipisci vitae aut. Quam praesentium occaecati perferendis ipsa. Voluptatem et vel quisquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”