The Tuck School of Business Director of Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing, Amy Mitson, tells MBAGRADSCHOOLS about the unique advantages of the Tuck MBA, from the school’s culture of giving and focus on community to the strong alumni network and immersive learning environment.
The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth is known for its diverse cohort, strong alumni network, culture of giving, and exceptional ROI. The leading U.S. business school is part of Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire. Among many excellent programs, the school offers a two-year MBA that provides a deeply enriching learning experience.
Tuck is consistently recognized among the top business schools in the U.S. and was recently ranked #1 globally for Alumni Network by the Financial Times. Amy Mitson is the Director of Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing at the Tuck School of Business. She shares an inside look at the five key aspects of the Tuck MBA that distinguish it from other MBA programs.
Personalization takes on many forms as you navigate the Tuck MBA experience. As Amy says, “So much of the MBA experience is brought to you by you! As a student, you have a very strong voice and a significant opportunity to shape the social and student life experience here at Tuck.” (12:19)
The school’s two-year MBA is designed to immerse students in a core curriculum of modern business fundamentals. Building on this strong foundation, students can choose from more than 100 electives, giving them the flexibility to shape their own learning experience. Tuck MBA electives range from NLP, Machine Learning, AI in Finance, and the Future of Capitalism, to Leadership Out of the Box and Social Entrepreneurship.
They can further reflect on and refine their educational experience through Tuck Compass, which helps students reflect on their goals and values. Using the Tuck Compass, they can review how they are spending their time as they navigate the MBA.
Students also customize their experience with the First Year Project (FYP) at the Tuck School of Business. For the FYP, students work in a group to solve a specific problem for a real business. This provides an excellent opportunity to road-test new skills and abilities within a real-world context.
The small class sizes at the Tuck School of Business mean that students have a built-in support network. Students create strong bonds with their peers. In-class conversations help you to share experiences, swapping industry knowledge and personal stories to build close connections.
A wide variety of countries, cultures, professional experiences, and personal perspectives create a rich learning environment where learning can flourish. It’s an environment that Tuck makes the effort to design for maximum ROI.
“We put your study group together very specifically and mix it for diversity of personal experience and skill set,” says Amy. “So, as you work in your study group, you have a give and take, and a built-in support network of different expertise.” (02:43)
This environment helps to build strong, trust-based relationships as you navigate your academic and personal experiences during the Tuck MBA.
Tuck is renowned for its powerful global network. Amy believes that this is pivotal to ensuring a continuous cycle of inspiration.
“Alumni will talk about how [the Tuck MBA] was the two best years of their life, the two most transformative years… and this is the strongest network,” she explains. “Students are close when they’re here, and when they graduate, they still stay connected.” (03:47)
This connected, global, responsive alumni network supports students throughout their learning and career journeys. CEOs and leading executives regularly visit campus, enriching students’ understanding of modern business. Engaged alumni across the network are excited to get in touch, listen to experiences, and provide mentorship. This high level of engagement is part of an ongoing, collaborative interaction between students and alumni.
The Tuck School of Business takes a holistic approach to career development. The Tuck Career Services team focuses on each student’s individual requirements. Many of the team are Tuck alumni with first-hand knowledge and experience of building a career post-graduation.
Multi-industry connections play a key part in the successful career outcomes at Tuck. The school has ties with prestigious companies such as Google, McKinsey, and Goldman Sachs. Tuck also has a strong focus on building relationships with startups and smaller ventures across multiple sectors.
“The foundation of [exceptional career outcomes] is absolutely the people,” says Amy. “From the career resources on campus to faculty, staff, and other students’ support when you are here, to alumni connections and companies that seek to recruit Tuck graduates year after year.” (23:30)
Tuck’s employment data reflects its strong focus on career outcomes. The school’s employment report for the Tuck Class of 2024 shows that 91% of Tuck graduates received employment offers within three months of graduation. The median base salary for graduates is $175,000 per year, while 84% of graduates receive a median sign-on bonus of $30,000.
Tuck’s close-knit, trust-based community creates an environment where students support one another throughout the MBA experience. Student-led initiatives, faculty engagement, and access to campus resources ensure students have the support they need to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
Student health and wellness initiatives play an important role in supporting students as they balance coursework, leadership development, and community life. Resources include academic support, peer-to-peer initiatives, and access to one-on-one coaching and advising through Tuck and the wider Dartmouth community. Support also extends beyond the classroom to encompass students’ off-campus experiences.
“The [Tuck] Mental Health & Wellness Initiative also leads several off-campus retreats every year,” notes Amy. “One of our faculty members shares their beautiful barn on a farm that’s several miles from campus. Students use it for a full day to do yoga, meditation, and healthy cooking classes. It’s a full retreat. I wish I could do it one of these years!” she laughs. (09:44)
At Tuck, well-being is shaped by the community itself. Students play an active role in building the culture through the student board and more than 70 student clubs, creating a supportive, highly engaged environment that complements the academic and leadership journey of the MBA experience.
From its highly supportive culture and focus on a trust-based community to its diverse alumni network and rich learning environment, the Tuck School of Business MBA program stands out as truly extraordinary.
If you’re looking to gain the leadership skills, confidence, and global network to launch a purposeful career, the Tuck MBA is an excellent option. Few MBAs strike such a balance between a close-knit, small-town community feel and elite-level education with a global scope.
Photo credit: Laura DeCapua Photography
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