CLASS OF 2000 GRADUATE COMMENTS
Editor's Note: BusinessWeek collected graduate comments in 2000 during its ranking of full-time MBA programs. The next ranking is scheduled for fall, 2002.
Why is Tuck always so highly ranked in the student survey? How else would you rank a program where there is genuine concern among the students and faculty, where you can interview with any and every firm that visits campus, where classes are never closed-out to students, where every student has several job offers from which to choose by the end of second year, where the alumni donate money at an astoundingly high rate, where you can call any alumnus at any company and he/she will drop what they are doing to talk to you about your career (it's true), where you can hike the Appalachian Trail out your back door, rent a canoe for $5, play golf on campus, go to the farmer's market on Saturday, and get to know not just every one of your classmates, but also their wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, kids, and dogs? It's not just the degree, folks. It's the experience. And no other program compares to Tuck when it comes to the full package. Just ask any MBA student from any other top school that makes the trek to Hanover every year for the annual hockey tournament, winter carnival, soccer tournament, and various business forums. At some point, they stand on campus, look around and say, "Man, why didn't I apply here?" It happens all the time. -- Venture Capital/Private Equity
I couldn't be happier with my Tuck experience. I know it may look as though I checked off the best responses to improve Tuck's rating but my answers are honest. My experience was just about perfect. And I lived 2 hours away from my husband just so I could attend Tuck. Despite the personal sacrifices, Tuck was one of the best decisions of my life. -- Anonymous
Some people say that Tuck is not international (or diversified) just because the ratio of international students or minorities is lower than other schools. However, I strongly feel that just higher percentage does not mean the school is internationalized. True internationalization would only come from serious interaction among students, which is very common here at Tuck. I acquired not only tangible skills but vast intangible assets which came from close interaction with my professors and my classmates. This is the virtue of a small community. I wouldn't have been as satisfied if I went to other schools. -- Consulting
I think it is Tuck's rigorous analytical approach combined with its emphasis on the development of interpersonal skills that really sets it apart. Tuck puts you in so many situations in the team environment with people from a host of backgrounds that you can't help but come out of here with a better sense of team dynamics and how to lead a diverse group. I also think the social aspect of Tuck is one of its defining traits -- like it or not, it is usually socially poised and gregarious people that end up doing best in the "real world," and Tuck does a great job of preparing people in this regard. Tuck grads seem leave here with a down-to-earth, easy-going mentality that makes people want to work with them and see them do well. Part of that is a function of the people who select to come to what is known as a very social environment. But there is also an element of social training that goes on here that is very important -- in this small environment, people are forced to come out of their shells and take part in social activities. -- Investment Banking
Tuck is a uniquely different program from all other top-10 MBA programs. Here at Tuck, the learning experiences blend fully with the career opportunities in a truly social environment. Tuck is not only a place to learn, but also a place where you meet friends for life. I could not imagine a more positive 2 year experience anywhere else. From an academic and career perspective, it was extremely encouraging when speaking from students from other programs that the Tuck students or alumni were always well-respected for their abilities, AND also well-liked for their teamwork and friendly demeanor. Tuck is truly a special place. -- Consulting
Attending Tuck was a phenomenal learning experience in all regards. The faculty were all superb teachers and very focused on the MBA curriculum. The caliber of other students was also very high, and the strong atmosphere of teamwork and community enhanced the learning experience greatly. The alumni network in the entrepreneurial and venture-capital arenas has been extraordinarily helpful in launching our new business venture. -- Entrepreneurship
One of my greatest challenges was that I had a son while at Tuck. It is tough enough for any women or man to have a child, but to go through while in school requires extreme focus, commitment, and patience. While the administration was relatively less supportive, the faculty and students were a good support and made our lives the past year and a half better. More and more women and men entering B-school will face work/life balance issues, and although one can't do it all, a person can achieve a lot in the right surroundings. Tuck and Hanover was definitely a great experience for our family in this respect. -- Consulting
I think Tuck offers a unique MBA experience. I came away from my two years having worked hard and gotten through some grueling experiences. Although I think the reputation that everyone at Tuck is your friend is an overstatement, I have made some lifetime friends through the same shared experience. A small school like Tuck allows each student, if they choose, to participate at levels that might not be available at larger institutions that are more competitive in atmosphere. In our a cappella group, for example, anyone who wants to sing can. I like that people are always welcome to join. Lastly, the location is beautiful and the isolation helps to create a sense of community that is lacking at more city-based schools. -- Finance
Although I was accepted into programs with higher "rankings" and greater brand recognition than Tuck (i.e., Wharton), I am thrilled with the quality of my education, the job I received upon graduation, and the friendships I formed with my classmates. Admittedly, Tuck is not for everyone. The small town atmosphere and the close-knit class makes it a self-selecting environment; however, it is a very special place to spend two years and I would encourage everyone to give Tuck a very serious look. I'm leaving Tuck with some great friends and a great job. Looking back, if I had to decide between business schools again, I'd choose Tuck in a heartbeat. -- Finance
Tuck offers an unparalleled small close-knit MBA experience. Other schools cannot come close to the caliber of students, their willingness to help and support one another and their impressive skills and backgrounds. The areas Tuck needs to work on improving lie more in the administrative realm. The administration should work on being more responsive to student concerns and allowing students more autonomy in shaping their educational experience. That said, the Tuck administration has made efforts to respond to some student concerns, such as offering more updated curriculum material. So far, the steps implemented seem successful. -- Anonymous
Tuck is a 100 year old school with 100 year old values. The majority thinks that this is a good thing. The majority does not value diversity and change. -- Consulting
I was very pleased with my experience at Tuck, and justifiably so, as it has truly changed my life. The faculty, students, and staff at Tuck are simply outstanding, as are the postgraduate employment opportunities associated with a degree from the school. Due to its small size, Tuck's model is difficult to replicate. The intimate size and setting of the school affords its students countless personal touches absent from larger institutions. Examples of these touches include: being telephoned (from London) and personally congratulated by the assistant and associate directors of admissions after being admitted to the school; complimentary breakfasts prior to Saturday exams; the surprise champagne toast of the first-year students by the second year students after completion of their last midterm exam of the first term; the list goes on and on. In my humble opinion, the Tuck School is the best graduate business school in the world, and it's the only top b-school with a flyfishing club -- The Amos Trout Club. -- Consulting
Everyone at Tuck is very bright and deserves to be here. That said, the school still needs to cultivate an environment that is more diverse. Despite that, the small size of the school is conducive to lasting relationships. -- Finance
|
=Subscribers Only
Copyright 2001, Bloomberg L.P.
MBA Insider
