Established in 1900, the Tuck School of Business of Dartmouth College is widely considered to be one of the top 10 business schools in the world. Tuck is known for the size of its student body, which gives the school the distinction of having the smallest MBA program of any top law school; and for its rural location in Hanover, a New Hampshire town that has been called the prototypical Ivy-league setting. Highly qualified applicants who are fortunate enough to gain admission to Tuck’s MBA program can look forward to the tremendously improved career prospects that come along with one of the most prestigious MBA degrees in the world.



Admissions and Tuition:

With a rate of admission that is typically around 20%, Tuck is among the most selective business schools in the world. Although this high level of selectivity doubtlessly makes for an intimidating admissions process, applicants can maximize their chances of admission by focusing on the several factors on which Tuck bases its admissions decisions. The first of these factors is academic excellence, which students can demonstrate in part through their GMATs and undergraduate GPAs. For Tuck’s entering class of 2007, the average undergraduate GPA was 3.46, while the average GMAT score was an impressive 713. Leadership and accomplishment are also taken into consideration, and can be demonstrated in part through the quality and quantity of an applicant’s work experience. Some full time work-experience seems to be a must, as every member of the entering class of 2007 had some such experience, and the class as a whole averaged 5 years of full-time experience. Another factor taken into consideration in Tuck’s admissions process is an applicant’s interpersonal skills, which can best be demonstrated during interviews for which select applicants are chosen. Lastly, diversity of background and experience, as well as “global mindset” are valued by the admissions committee, as is evident by the fact that 36% of Tuck’s most recent entering class was comprised of foreign nationals, while more than 16% was comprised of American minorities.

For the 2007-2008 academic year, tuition for Tuck students was $42,990, while overall yearly costs were approximately $70,000. Furthermore, according to data compiled in part by BusinessWeek, the total program cost of a Tuck MBA is about $260,000 when foregone salary is taken into consideration. Of course, students quickly see returns on their investment in Tuck upon graduation, as the difference between their pre-MBA and post-MBA salaries are, on average, about $50,000.

Academics and Curriculum:

The curriculum of Tuck is designed to provide students a solid academic foundation in their first year while allowing them flexibility and opportunities for exploration in their second year. First-year students enroll in 16 courses during a slightly extended academic year, only one of which is an elective. This first year is unsurprisingly said to be the more rigorous year, and could prove to be the more rewarding year for most students. Tuck’s system of rotating study group assignments enables students to meet and work with a great number of their classmates, most of whom are likely to know each other by the end of the first year thanks to the small size of Tuck’s entering classes, which usually consist of less than 225 students. With their most challenging academic year behind them, students can embark on their second and last year at Tuck, during which they are free to choose 12 titles from among 75 available electives. Among these electives is the Tuck Global Consultancy course, which gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience by consulting organizations located throughout the world. Lastly, students wishing to broaden the focus of their education can pursue one of Tuck’s several dual-degree programs, while those interested in a JD/MBA degree can work with Tuck and the law school of their choice to create a four-year JD/MBA program.

Quality of Life:

For some applicants, Hanover could be the ideal place to pursue an MBA, while for others, it could prove to be uninspiring and underwhelming. Those who prefer towns with a lively night-scene will likely be disappointed, as will those with an affinity for bustling cities. On the other hand, applicants who prefer a quiet and serene setting in which to study business will likely find Hanover to be an ideal location. Of course, the fact that Tuck is located in a quiet town does not necessarily make for a quiet lifestyle for the school’s students, who will likely find plenty of ways to meet and socialize with their classmates through numerous events hosted by the school and its many clubs throughout the year. Hanover is an especially rewarding town for lovers of the great outdoors, who can enjoy close access to various ski slopes, as well as numerous other outdoor activities. Another advantage of living is Hanover is the low cost of living, which allows students great flexibility in choosing the size and type of their residence. The lack of crime and traffic in Hanover is also a boon to Tuck students, who effectively miss out on much of the daily stress that business students in larger cities must endure. All this taken into consideration, it’s safe to say that life at Tuck would prove rewarding for applicants who are comfortable with the rural lifestyle, while it would likely be a disappointing experience for those who find comfort in urbanization.

Employment Prospects:

According to Forbes magazine, Tuck students receive a better return on their MBA investment than students of any other business school. This impressive fact can be attributed to the school’s relationship with countless top firms and corporations throughout the world, as well as the efforts of its career services office, which ensures that students have plenty of opportunity to impress these potential employers. The school’s alumni network is also a great resource for students, as the school reports that more than 70% of its alumni achieve top positions in their organization. These advantages make for a fruitful job search for Tuck students, more than 95% of whom are typically employed within three months of graduation. Up to one-half of Tuck grads usually begin their employment in the Northeast region, while 10% typically accept job offers on the West Coast, and another 10% leave the country to begin their post-MBA jobs. Employment statistics also reveal that most Tuck graduates enter either the Finance/Accounting field or the Consulting field upon graduation, with about one-third of graduates typically entering each field. The majority of the remaining third of graduates generally enter either the Marketing field or the General Management field.

In Sum:

The Tuck School of Business of Dartmouth College is among the most renowned business schools in the world, and offers highly-qualified applicants tremendously improved career prospects. The school is a particularly good option for students who prefer serene environments to the bustle of the big city, at least while going about their business studies.

Contact Information:

100 Tuck Hall
Hanover, NH 03755
603.646.3162
Tuck.Admissions@Dartmouth.edu
http://www.tuck.dartmouth.edu/

Quick Reference:

2009 U.S. News Ranking: 7th (tied with UC Berkeley)
Average GMAT score: 713
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.46
Application fee: $220
Application deadline: 4/1
Entering class size: 250
Yearly Tuition: $42,990 (2007-2008)
Percent of graduates employed 3 months after graduation: 96%
Average starting salary and bonus: $128,182