<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>