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FROM Tuck Admissions Blog: Application Advice: Becoming a T’16 |
Jacob Crandall, a future T'16, grew up in Buffalo, NY and attended Case Western Reserve University, graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation he worked at Newry Corp., a small consulting firm in Cleveland focusing on helping industrial and CPG clients develop growth strategies for new and existing products. He currently leads a strategic planning and analytics group in the Global Procurement organization at Deutsche Bank in New York City. At Tuck, he plans to participate in the Tuck Student Consulting Services, Tuck Wine Society, and of course, Tripod Hockey amongst many other things. As I reflect on the past year and my journey to becoming a T’16 (Class of 2016, in Tuckie vernacular), there are a few pieces of advice I would give to prospective students who are in the same place that I was at about this time last year. Start Early. I know this may seem pretty obvious, but it is a point that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Whether it be studying for the GMAT (if you haven’t taken it already), starting to identify potential recommenders, or researching programs where you think you might apply, the earlier you start, the less stressed you will be when you are submitting your applications. One of the activities I found most helpful was to visit each program that I was considering applying to – before I actually submitted an application – which I would not have been able to do without quite a bit of time before applying…which brings me to my next piece of advice… Do Your Research. Through the application process, it may seem like each school is reviewing your entire life, but remember that it is just as important that you “interview” each program as well. This is going to be 2 years (or 1 year in some cases) of your life that you are putting into an MBA, and it will also greatly impact the path you take for many years to come. Although I spent a good amount of time talking with alumni and students at each program I applied to, I wish I had done more. That being said, one of the key differentiators for Tuck in my mind was that I was able to experience the Tuck network when I was just a prospective student. I always had responses from Tuckies I emailed within 24-48 hours who were more than happy to spend an hour telling me about their time at Tuck, and show interest in my background as well. These conversations are also helpful to help determine if you would “fit” with the people that will become your network, which brings me to my final point… Pick The Program Where You Feel Comfortable. When I originally started talking to people in my network who had gone to business school about selecting a program, they would always say “pick the program that is a good fit.” I always thought this sounded a bit cliché, but as I learned more about each program, and spoke with students and alumni I realized that it’s actually a very good piece of advice. Each program has its own unique culture that is made up of a wide variety of factors such as its location, size, teaching methods, etc. I found that for myself (and my fiancé who is coming to Tuck as a TP’16 or Tuck Partner), we came to love Tuck very quickly, and found its close-knit, collaborative culture (which includes partners of Tuck students in many cases) to be the one where we felt the most comfortable. I would compare the feeling to one where when meeting someone for the first time (or maybe a few times), and you just feel like you’re going to be great friends – that’s the way I felt about Tuck. I hope some of these suggestions are helpful as you approach your path to attending a Top MBA program like Tuck. I am very much looking forward to this summer as I will continue to get to know many of my future classmates through informal get-togethers in NYC and the pre-term trips like Outward Bound and trips to Nicaragua and Peru. I know that Tuck was the right choice for me, and I hope that as you take your journey toward selecting an MBA program, you find the right fit for you as well. |
FROM Tuck Admissions Blog: Tuck’s Essay Questions for 2014 - 2015 |
A bonus for our blog readers: an advanced look at this year’s essay questions! The Tuck application will go live later this summer, but you can get a head start in preparing to tell us your story. I’ll point out the obvious: we have two required essays instead of three. Otherwise, the changes are limited. Remember, the essays are your opportunity to share with us who you are beyond the numbers and the resume, so reflect, take your time, and be genuine. You want to think carefully about your content as well as delivery; you need to communicate clearly and in your voice, not who you think we want you to be; and most importantly, answer the question you are asked. Essays Please respond fully but concisely to the following essay questions. There are no right or wrong answers. We encourage applicants to limit the length of their responses to 500 words for each essay. Please double-space your responses. 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA fit for you and your goals and why are you the best fit for Tuck? 2. Tell us about your most meaningful leadership experience and what role you played. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience? 3. (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application. 4. (To be completed by all reapplicants) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally. |
FROM Tuck Admissions Blog: Reflections on two great years! |
It’s hard to believe that my Tuck experience is coming to an end: in less than two weeks, I will have my diploma and my status will change from “student” to “employment pending”, giving me the summer to rest and recharge before starting work full time in Philadelphia. While Commencement is where I will receive my degree, Investiture is the Tuck-specific “graduation,” where we will receive our academic hoods, hear from a member of our class (Cassandra Cummings T’14!), and from an alum (Sherri Oberg, aunt of classmate Jason Oberg T’14). My classmates know that I am a longstanding advocate for the use of puns in academic settings, so it seems appropriate to observe that the final event of our MBA career, Investiture, coincidentally starts with a business word: Invest. And how fitting that is, for a lot has been invested in us. In these two years, we have taken classes; researched companies, industries, and markets; traveled, for pleasure and class (and often both simultaneously); expanded our networks; learned new skills; and attended talks by a range of executives, government officials, authors, academics, and researchers. So, it’s fair to say that we’ve been invested in quite a bit. If you ask around, though, you’re likely to find that the more accurate descriptor for our MBA experience beginning with “in” is, of course, “in debt.” I find myself indebted in a variety of ways. First, and perhaps most obviously, I am in financial debt. I believe the price of Tuck’s MBA is well worth it, but two years of tuition, board, housing, and incidental expenses sure does add up. Second, I am in debt to Tuck’s faculty of both academics and practitioners. They have freely given of their time outside of the classroom, devoted hours to planning and delivering courses that are truly distinctive, and made a serious and sustained effort to get to know us as people. Third, I am in debt to Tuck’s caring and dedicated staff, who go out of their way to help us and make incredible opportunities available to us. Fourth, I am in debt to Tuck’s alumni, who have given of themselves so generously in many ways. I have taken classes where alumni have visited to provide insight and advice based on their professional experience; in the process of finding a full-time job, I spoke with dozens of alums, all of whom were helpful and happy to share their perspectives. Fifth, I am in debt to my fellow students, be they in the class of 2013, 2014, or 2015. I am privileged to have spent one to two years with this amazing group of people; insightful in class, helpful in study groups, energetic in planning and leading extracurriculars, good-spirited on the playing field (or rink), supportive in recruiting and interview prep, genuine and friendly throughout, and enthusiastic about Tuck. Sixth, I am in debt to my classmates’ partners (Tuck Partners, or TPs, as we call them). Some live and work here, others work elsewhere and visit when they can, and all provide a deeper sense of community. Many of the amazing social events we have—from small group dinners to the Mexican Fiesta, Brazilian Carnival, and JKC (Japan, Korea, China) parties—are the result of their time and efforts. They also make it possible for pets to be part of our community, and I cannot tell you how nice it is, during the crush of exams and final papers, to have a puppy break (so perhaps I am also in debt to the Tuck pets). Seventh, I am in debt to this institution for so many reasons: its outstanding facilities, extensive network of exchange schools, numerous centers for research and learning, and convenient proximity to ski slopes and golf courses. Eighth, and perhaps most importantly, I am in debt to my family for their unwavering love and support. All told, I am in a lot of debt! Like those of Game of Throne’s House Lannister, Tuckies pay their debts, at least the financial ones—most of the debt that I have accumulated is intangible (I think the accounting phrase might be “goodwill”), and there is more of it than I can count. Some of this intangible debt will be repaid through continued engagement with Tuck, some of it will be repaid by being a good friend. I am hopeful that most of the debt will be repaid by using the skills and abilities that I have gained at Tuck to make a positive difference in the world. That, at least, is my hope, aspiration, and goal. It has been an amazing two years and I am excited to see what the future holds! |
FROM Tuck Admissions Blog: Post-Script: Tuck Military Visit Day |
Tuck’s first Military Visit Day was, by all accounts, a rousing success. Twenty-six veterans and partners visited Tuck on May 12th and were treated to a great introduction to what an MBA and two years at Tuck could be like. Even the weather got into the act, with beautiful blue skies and moderate temperatures as participants began to arrive Sunday night. The group started the visit at Murphy’s, a local pub, with current Tuckies who served in the Armed Forces prior to starting their MBA, and some who continue to serve in the Reserves. The group was treated to a warm welcome and speech from Nigel, Murphy’s owner and father of a military veteran. On Monday morning, attendees gathered for breakfast early (at 7:30, which was probably a late start compared to their normal routine). The veterans then sat in on an Operations Management course, part of the first-year core curriculum, while their partners enjoyed a coffee chat with current Tuck partners. Post-class/coffee, everyone got back together for some advice and Q&A with current Tuckies and Tuck Partners. With the morning passing in a flash, like all Tuck mornings seem to, it was time for lunch with a variety of current students, faculty, and staff, many of who were veterans themselves. The afternoon brought multiple panels aimed at helping the veterans understand how to approach, attack and conquer not only the b-school application process, but also financial aid, student life and summer internship recruiting. It’s impossible to distill all the information and counsel from the day down to a few paragraphs, but if we had to pick out some main themes, it would be these:
This was a huge team effort, with students from the Armed Forces Alumni Association, staff, and faculty volunteering their time to help veterans understand the myriad issues facing them in the transition from service to school. Thanks to everyone for making the day so successful! The 2014 Military Visit Day Planning Committee: Adam Ranson T’14 (USMC) Dan Bleicher T’15 (US Navy) Dan Kleberg T’15 (USMC) Jen Tietz T’15 (US Navy) Kell Anderson T’15 (US Army) Gelsey Tolosa, Tuck Admissions Coordinator Kristin Roth, Tuck Admissions Military Liaison |