Tuck School of Business at Darmouth: To Join or Not To Join

In a dilemma? Tuck alumnus Will, in his blog post helps you to find out: Whether TUCK School of Business is the right fit for you or not.

There are 7 important points he jotted down for you to know about TUCK while you make your decision. The same are stated below in his words:

1. CULTURE: Tuck's culture is unique among the top bschools: there is an incredible sense of collaboration amongst all the students. And it is contagious. When you visit other schools look around at the students and ask yourself: could I fit in here? That's the number one most important piece of advice I can give prospective students. Ultimately you can receive a good education at any top school. The question is: who do you want to spend your time with academically, socially, and professionally. Culture matters. When I came to Tuck the answer was a resounding YES.

This Tuck culture extends to students with partners--our TPs (Tuck Partners) as they're called. Tuck Partners can audit classes, attend events, and have at times an even more robust social schedule than Tuck students. I moved up here with my girlfriend (now fiancee) and I was concerned how she fare up in the woods. Tuck could not have been more welcoming: there is no distinction between Tuckies and TPs. There are jobs up here and if you're thinking of having kids one of the premier hospitals in the country is a few miles away. In fact, if you have a partner and you are going to bschool you'd be crazy not to attend Tuck. The first year is difficult for everyone, especially here at Tuck. Having a close community helps all involved--Tuckies and TPs--stay sane throughout.

2. ALUMNI: I've written at length about how extraordinary Tuck alums are. It is a byproduct of my first point. As a bschool student do not think that just because you are at a top school you will have offers thrown at you. Just like anything else in life it's all about the people: you have to network. At a small, close knit school like Tuck, alumni are powerful internal advocates for fellow Tuckies, year in and year out.

3. FACULTY: All faculty at Tuck have to teach. There are no research fellows here; no big minds who write books and sit in their office all day subsidized by your tuition but not giving back. At Tuck you have world class professors who love to teach. They will kick your butt in the classroom and then go out for beers with you afterwards.

4. SIZE: Tuck has only 240 students in each class. You WILL know everyone in your class. What is the point of going to a school with 1,000 people in each class if you do not recognize classmates walking down the hallways?

5. FOCUS: Tuck offers only one degree: the MBA. No PhD students to divert professors' attention. No Executive MBA degrees. The focus is 100% on the students.

6. ACCESS: Every top bschool has a regular stream of CEOs coming through the doors. At Tuck, because we're in Hanover, there are no distractions for our esteemed visitors. They speak in class; they give presentations, but it doesn't end there. Most will also sign-up to host lunch and/or dinner with students. Many agree to office hours: 1-on-1 20 minute meetings with students. And when I say CEOs, I mean CEOs. For example, Wednesday Jeff Immelt (a Dartmouth grad) is speaking on campus. Do not think that just because Hanover is in a beautiful part of the world we don't get top execs. We do, and when they're here you, as a student, have unparalleled access to them.

7. CAMPUS LIFE: Tuck is a residential campus. Over half of first year students live in the dorms. This is unlike any other top bschool. The other half of first years and all second years live within a few miles of campus. All the action happens on campus.

I guess by the time you end up reading, loads of concerns in your mind with respect to TUCK gets answered :)

Hope this helps...

Taken from: Why TUCK?