DEADLINES
Round 1: 24 September 2018
Round 2: 7 January 2019
Round 3: 1 April 2019
ESSAYS
Dartmouth Tuck is a phenomenal and exclusive MBA program. With some of the highest salaries reporting in 3 years after graduation and one of the most loyal alumni bases, it’s not surprising that the program has attracted so much attention over the years.
In a post on its official blog, Tuck360, Dartmouth’s executive director of admissions and financial aid, Luke Peña, reiterated that the admissions team is “searching for examples of our four admissions criteria; they are looking for evidence that you are smart, nice, accomplished, and aware.” Take that advice to heart as you develop your strategy for Tuck’s application.
If you are looking for guidance on how to submit the most effective Tuck app, feel free to contact us.
Short-answer Question 1: Share your short-term goals. (50 words)
Short-answer Question 2: Share your long-term goals. (50 words)
Short-answer Question 3: How did you arrive at these goals? (75 words)
Short-answer Question 4: How will Tuck help you achieve these goals? (75 words)
These four questions are a classic way to analyze your seriousness as a candidate and your potential as an employee. To be more exact, Tuck wants to see how realistic and attractive your short-term goals are, as well as how impactful your long-term goals will be. When choosing your objectives, try to understand if they create a sensible narrative relative to your professional history. Tuck doesn’t just want dreamers; it wants individuals who are likely to achieve their dreams.
When you speak about Tuck, try to see where it truly provides a competitive advantage for your plans. Keep in mind that you should explain what parts of the program (courses, professors, events, clubs, network, tools, etc.) will specifically enable you to achieve your goals. If the admissions readers get a sense that you did not fully research the program or your objectives, they will very likely reject your application for a lack of resolve.
Essay 1: Tuck students are aware of how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are and what you will contribute. (500 words)
To begin to comprehend how to approach this question, you need to take the time to understand Tuck. As with any top MBA, you should investigate Dartmouth beyond what you can read on the web, by connecting with those involved in the school. Visiting the school, joining live events or webinars, and speaking with current students and alumni are excellent ways to understand what the “fabric of Tuck” is really made out of.
Once you have a clearer picture of Tuck, you’ll be able to better identify those of your attributes, whether personal or professional, that can most contribute to the program. If possible, try to mention how you could be of benefit to Tuck’s student body, with your unique experiences and skills, through extracurricular participation.
Essay 2: Tuck students are nice, and invest generously in one another’s success. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (500 words)
Many of our applicants are a bit taken aback by the term ‘nice.’ They connect the concept to that of being weak. However, as Tuck explains on their criteria page, they aren’t looking for candidates who are “pushovers” but rather for those who have high emotional intelligence. Essentially, you can’t be a good team player if you’re not willing to help your teammates.
When choosing an example, instead of worrying over where it originated (professional or personal experiences), try to select one that was both trying and impactful. Once you’ve made your decision, build an engaging narrative that explains the background, hurdles and triumph following your involvement without exaggeration or self-aggrandizement.
Essay Optional: Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere (e.g., atypical choice of evaluators, factors affecting academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
This optional question should only be used to answer red flags within your application. Even if you believe that you’ve written a brilliant essay for another school and it would be a shame if Tuck didn’t read it, do not include such an essay in this section. But, if there is something negative about your profile, you should not miss the opportunity to address it in this essay. If you leave an issue unexplained, Dartmouth will have no choice but to assume the worst reason.
When talking about a particular problem in your candidacy, try, if possible, to show how you have proven that it will no longer be an issue. For instance, if you performed poorly at one point during your university studies because of an illness, highlighting how your success at later university-level courses proves your educational acumen.
Reapplicant Essay: How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally. (500 words)
As a reapplicant, you need to differentiate yourself not only from fellow applicants but also from your former self. How have you changed positively? There are many circumstances that might have changed. For instance, you might have received a promotion, changed careers, developed an entrepreneurial project, clarified your objectives or increased your community engagement. In whatever way you’ve grown, you need to explain it clearly and effectively in order to differentiate the ‘reapplicant’ from the ‘former applicant.’
