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MM3007
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Schools: Darden '25 (A) Tuck '25 (A)
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Schools: Darden '25 (A) Tuck '25 (A)
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Tuck vs Mccombs Updated on: 16 Dec 2022, 10:34
Originally posted by MM3007 on 16 Dec 2022, 10:10.
Last edited by MM3007 on 16 Dec 2022, 10:34, edited 1 time in total.
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I got admissions from both Tuck and Mccombs

Tuck - USD 20k scholarship. Total cost will be 220k for me
Mccombs - USD 40k scholarship. Total cost will be USD 120k for me

I will be taking out loan for the entire cost. Will it be wise to choose Tuck over Mccombs..given the significantly higher cost? I want to pursue consulting.
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Tuck vs Mccombs 16 Dec 2022, 10:21
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MM3007
I got admissions from both Tuck and Mccombs

Tuck - USD 20k scholarship. Total cost will be 220k for me
Mccombs - USD 154k scholarship. Total cost will be USD 120k for me

I will be taking out loan for the entire cost. Will it be wise to choose Tuck over Mccombs..given the significantly higher cost? I want to pursue consulting.
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Congrats! Awesome Result!
Interesting - Tuck total cost $240 and Macombs $274? You are estimating $15K more per year at McCombs? Tell me the math behind it so I am not making any mistakes. :angel:

P.S. Do you have existing consulting experience? What is your current industry?
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MM3007
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Location: Bangladesh
Schools: Darden '25 (A) Tuck '25 (A)
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WE:Corporate Finance (Commercial Banking)
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Tuck vs Mccombs 16 Dec 2022, 10:36
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Apologies. I edited the post. I am currently a corporate banker in an international bank. No consulting experience


bb
MM3007
I got admissions from both Tuck and Mccombs

Tuck - USD 20k scholarship. Total cost will be 220k for me
Mccombs - USD 154k scholarship. Total cost will be USD 120k for me

I will be taking out loan for the entire cost. Will it be wise to choose Tuck over Mccombs..given the significantly higher cost? I want to pursue consulting.

Congrats! Awesome Result!
Interesting - Tuck total cost $240 and Macombs $274? You are estimating $15K more per year at McCombs? Tell me the math behind it so I am not making any mistakes. :angel:

P.S. Do you have existing consulting experience? What is your current industry?
Show more
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bb
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
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Tuck vs Mccombs 16 Dec 2022, 11:59
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Got ya. Thanks for the clarification so we are looking at 220K vs. 120K or a 50% bump or 100K.
This may be an equivalent of starting your job in June vs. Jan for example or a huge pile of debt though I would kind of consider that if you are borrowing 120K, that's a huge amount already that you are borrowing and putting yourself in debt. I borrowed 40K for my living expenses and that was a lot of stress for someone who has not felt the burden of debt before.

I am slightly leaning towards Tuck due to consulting and how that is the focus of the program. This does not only mean they will get you interviews with companies on campus but much more than that - clubs, second year students helping interview and do cases, working on your resume, coffee chats, etc. Tuck has a major road into MBB's and other consulting companies. However, consulting is competitive. Tuck placed 50% of their latest class into consulting! That is insane! However, I can tell you that probably 80% recruited and only half succeeded. This is due to chance issues (interviewer had a bad day, you did not connect, or there was a really good candidate right after/before you, etc). So there are still situations where you may not succeed in Consulting recruiting. I am sure you have done your research about client-readiness and consulting companies feeling confident to place you in front of their clients and charge them $500 for you while paying you $100 per hour :lol:

So there is a chance you will fail at that and have to recruit in finance, banking, etc. Always important to have a plan B- look at tech this year. Everyone is scrambling after it was the most profitable and prolific recruiter.

McCombs did not do terrible by the way in consulting. Their numbers are more modest that's a reflection of their student caliber more so than the school's ability to place students. I am sure the "consulting" segment is different between the 2 schools in terms of company profiles, job focus, and locations... but still a bit part of your success is you and that's important to recognize that if you are an amazing individual, you can hassle to success.

This is a Bear vs. Bull type of a thing and also potentially financing ability question. Are you able to actually get the loans to finance the full amount at Tuck? If not, I would not give up but ask Tuck to potentially help out with something like a fellowship or a TA job on campus - those are great sources of free money. You can also ask Tuck to potentially help with some more $$ but not sure how responsive they will be to the McCombs offer. It won't hurt to ask perhaps... but coming back to Bear vs. Bull - are you feeling confident in yourself and want to save $100K and perhaps have less of a brand behind you with fewer recruiting opportunities, and fewer on campus recruiting options but paying $750/less per month for your loan? OR do you want the maximum effect and push and dedication?


P.S. You are one of the few people smart enough to take into consideration the full cost of attendance. Many look at only the tuition and would evaluate Tuck at 20K and McCombs at 150K and then the picture is quite a bit more slanted/inflated. Good on you to look at it from the total cost perspective. Also, something to keep in mind, schools always lowball their living expenses and don't include summer months into the cost so you will be short on $$ in your student years. Obviously everyone survives but something to keep in mind. The summer internships are a good boost of earnings for many as long as you can get a nice paid internship and i would say for consulting that would be a must to get the return offer.

PPS. This summer many MBB's had pre-mba internships and I know several people were able to score summer internships and jobs through that. Lucky folks! Anyway, this offer was limited only to some programs. I don't know if this year this offer will be back on the table - who know (it was in July) but I would strongly plan on applying for that one at McKinsey and BCG (Bain does not hire internationals I believe). Anyway, both TUck and McCombs are on the BCG list. Not sure about McKinsey (their form is hidden) https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/studen ... s/overview

BCG: https://careers.bcg.com/bcg-unlock
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MM3007
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Joined: 17 Mar 2022
Last visit: 03 Dec 2023
Posts: 39
Own Kudos:
17
 [1]
Given Kudos: 10
Location: Bangladesh
Schools: Darden '25 (A) Tuck '25 (A)
GPA: 3.88
WE:Corporate Finance (Commercial Banking)
Schools: Darden '25 (A) Tuck '25 (A)
Posts: 39
Kudos: 17
 [1]
Tuck vs Mccombs 16 Dec 2022, 12:34
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Thank you so much! This was..by far..the most comprehensive analysis I 've ever read. Much appreciated!


bb
Got ya. Thanks for the clarification so we are looking at 220K vs. 120K or a 50% bump or 100K.
This may be an equivalent of starting your job in June vs. Jan for example or a huge pile of debt though I would kind of consider that if you are borrowing 120K, that's a huge amount already that you are borrowing and putting yourself in debt. I borrowed 40K for my living expenses and that was a lot of stress for someone who has not felt the burden of debt before.

I am slightly leaning towards Tuck due to consulting and how that is the focus of the program. This does not only mean they will get you interviews with companies on campus but much more than that - clubs, second year students helping interview and do cases, working on your resume, coffee chats, etc. Tuck has a major road into MBB's and other consulting companies. However, consulting is competitive. Tuck placed 50% of their latest class into consulting! That is insane! However, I can tell you that probably 80% recruited and only half succeeded. This is due to chance issues (interviewer had a bad day, you did not connect, or there was a really good candidate right after/before you, etc). So there are still situations where you may not succeed in Consulting recruiting. I am sure you have done your research about client-readiness and consulting companies feeling confident to place you in front of their clients and charge them $500 for you while paying you $100 per hour :lol:

So there is a chance you will fail at that and have to recruit in finance, banking, etc. Always important to have a plan B- look at tech this year. Everyone is scrambling after it was the most profitable and prolific recruiter.

McCombs did not do terrible by the way in consulting. Their numbers are more modest that's a reflection of their student caliber more so than the school's ability to place students. I am sure the "consulting" segment is different between the 2 schools in terms of company profiles, job focus, and locations... but still a bit part of your success is you and that's important to recognize that if you are an amazing individual, you can hassle to success.

This is a Bear vs. Bull type of a thing and also potentially financing ability question. Are you able to actually get the loans to finance the full amount at Tuck? If not, I would not give up but ask Tuck to potentially help out with something like a fellowship or a TA job on campus - those are great sources of free money. You can also ask Tuck to potentially help with some more $$ but not sure how responsive they will be to the McCombs offer. It won't hurt to ask perhaps... but coming back to Bear vs. Bull - are you feeling confident in yourself and want to save $100K and perhaps have less of a brand behind you with fewer recruiting opportunities, and fewer on campus recruiting options but paying $750/less per month for your loan? OR do you want the maximum effect and push and dedication?


P.S. You are one of the few people smart enough to take into consideration the full cost of attendance. Many look at only the tuition and would evaluate Tuck at 20K and McCombs at 150K and then the picture is quite a bit more slanted/inflated. Good on you to look at it from the total cost perspective. Also, something to keep in mind, schools always lowball their living expenses and don't include summer months into the cost so you will be short on $$ in your student years. Obviously everyone survives but something to keep in mind. The summer internships are a good boost of earnings for many as long as you can get a nice paid internship and i would say for consulting that would be a must to get the return offer.

PPS. This summer many MBB's had pre-mba internships and I know several people were able to score summer internships and jobs through that. Lucky folks! Anyway, this offer was limited only to some programs. I don't know if this year this offer will be back on the table - who know (it was in July) but I would strongly plan on applying for that one at McKinsey and BCG (Bain does not hire internationals I believe). Anyway, both TUck and McCombs are on the BCG list. Not sure about McKinsey (their form is hidden) https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/studen ... s/overview

BCG: https://careers.bcg.com/bcg-unlock
Show more
User avatar
bb
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Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
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GPA: 3
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 43,149
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Tuck vs Mccombs 17 Dec 2022, 16:55
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😇 thank you. I enjoy these little puzzles (huge life decisions for others) and glad it was helpful. Glad to hear you could find something useful but I would still encourage you to continue getting additional opinions and input. No one ever knows everything. 😉

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