Dear Drapier
Are you searching for the MBA program that is right for you?
(Why, yes I am.)
Are you interested in an exception general management program?
(If, by "exceptional general management program," you mean a well-rounded business education from a top-tier school then, yes, I am!)
Are you looking for a close-knit, supportive community and genuine relationships with accomplished professors, classmates, and alumni from around the world?
(Now, that they mention it, that's EXACTLY what I'm looking for!)
While I might normally pass this email off as a shamelessly self-inflated marketing ploy, I know a little about Tuck. They're not kidding. Here's their Five E's:
Education - According to Tuck's website, their curriculum is "continuously evaluated and refined to ensure its relevance to the constantly changing world of business while retaining an emphasis on leadership, rigorous coverage of business basics, and depth in key functional areas such as finance, strategy, marketing, and operations." I love the nod to strategy and the emphasis on leadership and general business education - all hallmarks of Tuck's program. While you can specialize by tailoring your electives, Tuck encourages excellence in the time-tested basics of business, while simultaneously providing students with tangible business experiences. "Group work permeates the entire program," which is very appealing. Of course, Tuck offers project-based learning and study abroad options but, unlike most other schools on my list, it offers only one degree - the full-time MBA. This allows administrators to focus on the full-time student's expereince. Additionally, Tuck recruits and retains teachers who "achieve dual excellence in both research and teaching," a claim that seems to have a great deal of merit; students gave faculty an A+ in the 2006 BusinessWeek rankings.
Employment - Tuck sends 32% of its graduates to consulting firms - as far as I know, a number rivaled only by Kellogg. It's top two employers are Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey, with Bain close behind. While you might think its size and remote location would handicap its ability to place graduates at top firms, its reputation seems to more than compensate. Tuck's 50 top employers list reads like a who's who of the biggest, best, and brightest firms in the world. Regionality doesn't seem to be a problem either - while over half of Tuck graduates take jobs on the East Coast (most commonly in New York or Boston), it distributes the other half of its class across the states or internationally. Recruiters seem to especially love Tuck, placing it 1st last year and 2nd this year in the Wall Street Journal's rankings.
Exposure - Tuck enjoys an association with Dartmouth College, an internationally lauded Ivy League school. It is also the oldest graduate school of management in the world - a distinction that helps keep it at the top of the rankings year after year. It has been #1 or #2 in the WSJ's rankings for the past two years, it's #11 in BusinessWeek, #9 in US News and World Report, and #2 in the Economist.
Environment - There's no avoiding it; Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire, which is, in turn, in the middle of nowhere. I'll admit, I'm not enamored with the idea of living in a remote Northeastern town for 18 months, but I take solace in its proximity to eastern seaboard hubs like New York, Boston, and Washington DC. On the bright side, the small town seems to elevate the network and sense of community. Teamwork permeates every aspect of the program and "Tuckies" are renowned for their close ties. In part, that has to do with the small-town environment. That might also have to do with the small class size - usually around 500 students (less that 1/3 the size of Wharton). Happily, the school's facilities seem to rival that of more urban schools and many students live on campus, which also adds to the school's collegiality.
pEople - Network, network, network - Tuck is all about forging connections. The small feel definitely forces people to get to know each other. Tuckies are so tight that others are astounded by the strength of their loyalty to one another. Among recruiters, students have a reputation for being "A-list people without the attitude." Not surprisingly, the Economist ranked Tuck #1 in the world for alumni effectiveness, suggesting that graduate's loyalty goes beyond their immediate classmates. Simply put, Tuckies are bright, tight, and sharp.
While Tuck's remote local initially gave me pause, its reputation, academic approach, leadership & teamwork focus, and network make it a solid addition to my first-round targets.
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