(HELP NEEDED!!!) Tuck vs Ross

Question

I'm very glad I just found this community! It seems to be a very helpful source of information to us, stressed applicants (I’m so sorry I just found it in the end of the process).

Guys, I’m writing because I’ll have to make a tough decision: should I deposit Tuck’s required 4k (deadline is January the 12th) or should I wait for Ross’s decision (calls may start today)??????? The thing is that I was accepted at the first, will probably be accepted in the second, and, in the midst of all this, don’t want to throw 4k in the trash can. I want to make sure that Tuck>Ross for me!

I want to attend a program that will complement my technical knowledge. I believe the best way to do it is to go to a school that is strong in finance and strategy. I'm starting to think that working in the finance world (private equity or investment banking) for two years after my MBA experience is a good idea. Such experience would complement my technical background, leaving me in a very good position to land in a senior director role within the technology industry. I can end up staying in the finance world forever, even though it's not what I plan to do now.....
 
Anyway, I believe Tuck has the edge if I want to do something related to finance. Ross, on the other way, may be more interesting if I want land in a position within the tech industry right after the MBA, which, as I told you in the last paragraph, is not what I want to do.
 
I firmly believe that the MBA experience is an unique opportunity I'll have to add finance knowledge/professional experience to my resume - and for that end I think Dartmouth is one (or more) step(s) above Ross. Furthermore, Tuck seems to be a more respected and a more "tough to get into" program, and its placement stats look better than Ross's.

Michigan, however, has the MAP program and a more dynamic community.
 
What do you think are the pros and cons of both programs for someone with my background (7 YE within the technology industry) and aspirations?

Thanks very much for the inputs,

2011hereIgo

visor · Answer

What are the costs of each program? I know UM, being a public school has merit based scholarships that can go a long way in your decision making process. Plus, with Ross' MAP program, you can get an international study trip for free. I think academically, you can't go wrong, and you'll likely end up with the same or similar job at the end. It's about the IRR, and it's much easier to get the returns if you have a low base investment.

staind · Answer

I would caution against assuming that because you got in to Tuck you are guaranteed to get in to Ross. If you haven't heard from Ross yet, you should definitely put down the Tuck deposit - especially if these are your only two options.

thisguy310 · Answer

That's a steep deposit, but I would second that you probably do want to put it down to save your seat.

shadow · Answer

Either school would help get you into banking, but without prior banking/HF/PE experience, getting into PE is going to be tough, no matter where you end up going.

I think at this point, you have to look at a few different things

- lifestyle: Ann Arbor (party town) vs Hanover (small, secluded)
- location post MBA: while both schools have presence nationwide, Ross is going to be stronger in the Midwest than Tuck (and vice versa with Tuck for East coast)
- recruiting: if you want to work in i-banking post MBA, you're going to have to travel to NYC during the semester. For Ross, this means hopping on a flight into NYC a few times a month. For Tuck, it means hopping the bus into NYC every Friday.

Personally, I would go crazy after a few days in the relative seclusion that Tuck provides, whereas others actively embrace it. It's hard for us to give you an opinion based on personal reasons like this; otherwise, I would think that either school would serve you well.

Definitely put down the deposit for Tuck - worst case scenario, you get into Ross next week and you tell them that you put down a deposit on Tuck already; I'm sure they wouldn't think twice about throwing an extra $4k in aid if that's what it would take to sway you to Ross. Good luck

2011hereIgo · Answer

I appreciate the feedbacks very much!

I’ll definitely make the deposit if I don’t hear from Michigan tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

The point is that there are solid chances that I may receive the call on those days. If it happens, I hope I’ll have a strong feeling related to where I should go – I don’t want to deposit the $$$ with an uncertain feeling. That’s why I’m researching both programs relentlessly. Gmatclubbers, so far, are confirming what is on my mind (75% Tuck, 25% Ross is a significant advantage to Dartmouth).

As for the lifestyle, I really want to go to the best possible school. If people here present arguments that convince me that Ross=Tuck for someone with my aspirations, then the Hanover weight might be the deciding factor and I may decide to attend Michigan. If after all my brainstorm, I’m convinced that Tuck>Ross for a very tiny bit, I’m positive I’ll attend Tuck – even if it means living in the rural, isolated Hanover. How bad can be life there anyway????????? I’m taking my fiancé with me, hence the lack of a hardcore partying scene won’t break my legs anywhere I decide to go :-D

rs2010 · Answer

I have nothing to add as I have not visited either of these schools.

Although I paid my deposit to secure my place at Tuck, I wouldn't mind taking risk with it.

Let's see how this forum makes it easier for you to make a decision

2011hereIgo · Answer

Just got the call from Ross!!!!! I'm in!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have to think whether to deposit the 4k.

The fact is that i got a 20k scholarship from Tuck, and apparently 0 from Ross. If this is the case, I'm going to Dartmouth.

The Michigan lady didn't say anything about $$$ on the phone call, consequently I'm assuming that the school isn't giving me any $. I asked her about financial aid info and she told me that all I need to know will be sent on a letter on the 14th - I should have been more explicit about the scholarship issue

Anyway, I'll try to figure it out before I make Tuck's deposit.

2011hereIgo · Answer

Fellow Gclubbers,

I’ll try to keep this thread alive for a while, since this seems to be a no-brainer, but it has actually been on my mind more than 20 hours a day.

I put down Tuck’s 4k deposit, but I’m still reading Ross’ website and wondering if I’d be better in Ann Arbor or Hanover. Choosing between two top schools is tougher than I imagined.

I’m heavily tilted towards Tuck, however I can’t stop trying to gauge the schools’ offerings.

HOW CAN I STOP DOING THAT??????????????????????

2011

riverripper · Answer

Tuck is a rather remote and small. However, I think those are the only things that keep it from being spoken in the same breath as Kellogg, Booth, and MIT as solid top 5's. That said people in the know about MBA's will look at it as one of the best brands you can have despite its size. I looked at both schools and was going to apply to Tuck until I realized my wife would have no chance of furthering her career in Hanover. Ross would have been a R2 for me had I not gotten the Kellogg admit early on.

If I were single or had a wife that wouldn't be working, and had no significant scholarship from Ross...well I I would go with Tuck anyday. Its small but has very dedicated alums and a long established brand in the MBA world. If you want PE, I honestly think it will be a very uphill battle with your background. IB is possible out of both but I think Tuck will have the leg up. It also has a reputation of having older folks, recruiters at the school will probably value that as part of why they are there vs Ross which doesnt have that same rep...not a big deal but you never know.

beagle46 · Answer

@2011hereIgo- Don't feel bad. I'm having the same "problem." I've been accepted to both and am 50/50 right now. My career goals seem to be different from yours though. I'm looking to go general/ops management for an industrial company.

2011hereIgo · Answer

That’s interesting. I’m an older folk myself (33). Should it be taken into consideration as a relevant factor within my decision process? This question leads to another intriguing question: Would it be easier for an experienced guy to get an IB gig at Tuck than at Ross? Damn, I haven’t thought about that

+1 ripper

riverripper · Answer

I dont think its going to be much of a differentiator but every little bit can help...honestly its going to be an uphill battle at 33 without some good prior experience in the banking world. That said it seems like recruiting for banking has steadily increased over the last few years so its leaps and bounds better than a few years ago.

beagle46 · Answer

river- What are your thoughts about coming out of Tuck or Ross/Tauber and looking to get into a leadership development/rotational program for an industrial company?

2011hereIgo · Answer

The thing is that I’ve been getting mixed signals on this age thing. Some people say that it’s going to be a little tougher, others say that it makes no difference – given that you’re willing to work like a horse and cope with mad superiors bullsh#*; others say that it’s going to be an uphill battle. That being said, my 2nd choice is strategy consulting, in which I believe Tuck has the placement edge, and the 3rd is remaining within the tech industry, in which I believe Michigan is stronger career wise. I hope I can address such age/career issue at Dartmouth’s admit weekend. Until then, I’ll keep on reading everything I can and bothering you guys to get valuable info :-D

2011

riverripper · Answer

I would bet more show up to recruit at Ross. I know the job I took they only recruited from Kellogg, Wharton, and Ross for tier 1 schools then a few second tier schools for same type of program but different final role. If you are looking at an industrial company there are a lot more of them in the Midwest than the Northeast. Then again there will be less competition at Tuck. Look at employment reports for companies you want to work for and talk to students in the GM and/or operations clubs to get the best insight.

beagle46 · Answer

river- Thanks for your perspective.

stickerpros · Answer

if it's not too late for you - you my be able to use the Tuck money to ask Ross if they can offer you something. $4k is a lot but 10 years fromnow will not matter - you should go where you really want to be. anyway never hurts to ask - worst that can happen is they say no.

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