Frequently Asked Questions for Partners

Partners are the spouses and significant others of Tuck students.

Typically around 30% of Tuck students have partners. The majority of partners reside in the Upper Valley but there are also partners based elsewhere who are still very much a part of our community.

Partners can be as involved as they choose to be (and the majority are involved). There are plenty of social events to choose from—monthly partner club activities such as restaurant night and book club, BBQs, Tuck ’Tails, wine tastings, parties, seasonal formals, and, of course, Tripod (Tuck Hockey).

Tuck begins helping new partners at Admitted Students Weekend every April, when we give you information about housing, health care, clubs and activities, employment, schools, and childcare. Once you and your student decide to enroll, you will be given your own mentor, a current partner called a “link,” who will contact you during the summer to try to ease your transition to the Upper Valley. You’ll meet your link during Partner Orientation week in August when there are plenty of get-to-know-you events for both students and partners.

While it is natural to miss the familiar life before Tuck, partners find new and unique professional and family networks here in Hanover all while meeting new friends in a relaxed and supportive environment. Many partners are able to find meaningful work opportunities in the Upper Valley, some partners also commute to previous jobs while remaining very much a part of the Tuck community. You might wish to monitor the Dartmouth employment website frequently and apply to positions that interest you. (You can search by keyword, employment category, or division.)

Business school can certainly be a challenging time for any couple or family, but it is also a life transition that allows for great personal growth and new shared experiences. The advantage Tuck offers is a quieter, small-town lifestyle, with many opportunities to explore new things in a beautiful and supportive environment.

Many partners enjoy living in Sachem Village where they have a real sense of community, however, each partner has their own needs and wants. Information on Dartmouth Housing and Non-Dartmouth Housing can be found on the Housing page of this site.

The Tuck Partner card was created so Tuck partners could enjoy select access at Tuck. The card allows partners to enter the Tuck buildings after hours and access the LaCorte workout room in Whittemore Hall (if partners have signed the waiver form). Once you arrive at Tuck, a Partner card can be obtained from the Tuck Facilities Office located in the main Tuck building (room 11) or during the Orientation week.

The Partner card will not exempt you from paying a membership fee to use the Alumni Gym, an admission fee to attend sporting events, or purchasing Hopkins Center tickets at full price.

If you would like to obtain a Dartmouth library card to the Dartmouth libraries, both the Tuck student and partner have to go to the circulation desk at Baker Library to complete a form and show proof of same residence (i.e., driver’s license).

If you are looking for more information, feel free to reach out to the Tuck Partners at any point in time. Prospective partners can also be “linked up” with a current partner and can even meet in person (during Admitted Students Weekend), or of course over the phone.

How would you describe your life now versus before you came here?

“More relaxed atmosphere; more active, fewer friends but a closer group; less extra cash but also fewer stores; produce is better; a healthier lifestyle.”
—Second-year partner

“Happily, I have much more time here to make and strengthen friendships with a great group of friends. I am out late so many nights during the week that my husband asks me when I’ll be home instead of the other way around!”
—First-year partner

“My life is very different. I used to work more than 100 percent and didn’t have much time for my social life…. Now I’m having a lot of fun. I’m socializing, doing sports, skiing, partying, and just doing whatever I want to do (even nothing, if that’s what I want).”
—First-year partner

What is important for new partners to know about coming here?

“That it’s probably very different from where you are coming from but that’s exactly what you should embrace about it! What’s wrong with a two-year break from your busy, hectic lifestyle?”
—First-year partner

“Every partner I know feared facing the great unknown of Tuck, and every partner I know has thoroughly loved most of their experience here.”
—Second-year partner

“It’s two years…make the most of it. With kids—enjoy small-town life at its best by going apple picking or relaxing at a local pond. No kids—take advantage of the college and audit classes. Don’t lose sight of the big picture.”
—First-year partner