Introduction

Author and sociology loren ravera looks into the recruitment practices in elite law, banking and consulting firms. Ravera's unsettling portrait provides much ammunition for those who would argue that maritocracy is a myth. Elite firms draw from corps and target schools. Students from corps schools are wooed aggressively by firms. You might squeeze in from a target school if you're near the top of your class. Everyone else might as well not apply. Extra curriculars matter more than grades. Firms sought out applicants with interesting and impressive leisure activities. Those who had perfect grades but studied too much were nerds and generally excluded. Elites put their thumb on the scale to help their own.