SEO Dilemma- Lehman Brothers

<p>Hey All,</p>

<p>I applied to SEO, was waitlisted as a sophomore and was later rejected when I asked SEO to expedite my decision. I told them to expedite it as I had an offer with JP Morgan Private Bank thinking this would increase my leverage.</p>

<p>But I think they rejected me because they have no partnership with JPM's private bank. As such, getting an offer from them means nothing to them because it's not like I have an offer from their IB division which is where SEO places interns.</p>

<p>here's the deal- so I got really lucky and got into lehman for summer '07- But I really want to do SEO this summer. I like SEO's training a lot. Besides, I want to do consulting next year and SEO no longer has a management consulting program.</p>

<p>I was thinking of calling up SEO and telling them I have an offer with Lehman IBD...I am hoping they will take me back since I am a sophomore and I have solved their problem for sophomores, which is finding IB banks that are willing to accept sophomores.. (isn't this the reason why a lot of sophomores where placed on the waitlist?)</p>

<p>Is this a dumb move?</p>

<p>I really really want SEO</p>

<p>Lehman IBD is so much better. From what I hear, interns out of SEO get no respect in the workplace.</p>

<p>oh that's a shame..seo is an amzing program</p>

<p>should I call them and give it a shot anyways?</p>

<p>oh that's a shame...seo is such an amzing program...</p>

<p>should I go ahead and call them anyways?</p>

<p>First of all, congratulations on Lehman IBD, especially as a sophomore. I also applied to SEO as a sophomore, and got waitlisted -> rejected, but I found a really good hedge fund through on campus recruiting that I am thrilled to be working at this summer. Next year I am going to do corpfin at a bulge bracket (I know this sounds cocky but I am pretty sure I am going to get a position), but I'm still hesitant on whether or not I want to do it with SEO or not. </p>

<p>SEO is an amazing program and gives you amazing connections, but at the same time there is also this stigma that comes in through, "yea this person only broke into the industry through a placement program." Honestly the reason SEO is so popular is because it gives people/minorities from non-targets a chance to break into the industry, which is why a lot of people say, "yea the only way i'm going to become a banker is if i get into SEO." This has a couple negative affects- one is that there is a certain stigma at the workplace that other interns will think they are better than you. you're goign to have to leave during the day to attend events, miss some firm events... I wouldn't be worried so much about that though,e specially sinc eyou're a sophomore and people will think they are better than you anyway =). The other problem is with elitist employers who will look down on it. Wow... this kid has experience from Lehman brothers! Let's hire him...no wait, did he get that Lehman position by himself or was he automatically assigned it through SEO?</p>

<p>On the contrary, I've heard from SEO alum how amazing hte program is, and how many networking opportunities it provides. The training program is fantastic, and you really do excel a lot more than your peers. I've also heard from SEO rejected people that how they wished they had gotten in SEO beacuse they would be "set for life."</p>

<p>Thus next year I have no clue whether or not I wish to apply, since yes, I will gain a ton of benefits, but I have no clue what costs it will come at. Call me crazy for looking ahead into teh future, but I am somewhat worried that in MBA program admissions time people are going to an SEO on a resume, and I have no clue whether or not they will think positively on that...</p>

<p>So I guess I didn't really help your situation at all, since it's truly your decision, but here's my own advice which should be taken with a grain of salt. You already got rejected from SEO, and I doubt it would make much of a difference. You're already a sophomore with a bb ibd job, so you're ahead of 99% of all the other college students- you don't need the SEO training since you'll learn from any mistakes you might have this year. Personally I would just go with Lehman IBD. You would miss out on the mentorship process, whihc I think is huge (that lifelong connection) however...</p>

<p>Also, I think it comes down to how much you believe in the ideals of SEO. If you truly believe that minorities should have more equality in finance then by all means go for the program, and tell SEO how much you value their goals. However, I think for the large majority of SEO applicants, it isn't so much about the equality as about getting into a bb, without multiple rounds and a superday.</p>

<p>Let me know what you decide to do and good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for your post dpa. I'm just really passionate about the program. I don't think I care that much about people looking down on seo interns... and I have a question, must one indicate on their resume that they got their wall street internship through seo on their resume? I don't think it's necessary...</p>

<p>I will give it a shot...I stand the chance of looking obsessive compulsive and it might hurt my candidacy should I apply again to seo in my Junior year...however, I'll give it a shot</p>

<p>again, thanks dpa</p>

<p>i think it woudl look really really bad if someone found out you were from SEO and it was not on your resume. plus i think you're techincally "supposed" to put it on, and it would be a slap on the face to SEO if they ever found out</p>

<p>oh wow...it must be a really ****ty program then...</p>

<p>I didn't know perceptions about my candidacy would change if people knew I got a wall street firm via seo as opposed to via other means...</p>

<p>the only reason why it will pose a moral issue is if seo = less impressive than getting an internship with a BB yourself--- from all indications, that's what it means...</p>

<p>I guess I won't bother them then...I thought the program was more prestigious...apparently not</p>

<p>thanks everyone for your input</p>