Highlights of My Tuck MBA Experience
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE AN MBA AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER?
Before my MBA, I had spent my entire life in Italy, working in the same city and surrounded by a close network of friends with similar backgrounds and career paths. While that environment was rewarding, I began to feel that my perspective was becoming too narrow, especially given how different the Italian business landscape is from the global one. I wanted to challenge myself by stepping into a more diverse, international environment and gaining exposure to new ways of thinking and working. Beyond the academic aspect, I was also looking to grow personally. I wasn’t naturally drawn to networking, public speaking, or putting myself in unfamiliar situations. Pursuing an MBA felt like the right moment to challenge myself, and being at Tuck has pushed me well outside of my comfort zone. What once felt unnatural has become much more intuitive. Looking back, I realize how much my perspective has expanded, and I’m confident that this transformation wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t taken that leap.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE TUCK MBA AT DARTMOUTH?
Among the schools I was admitted to, Tuck was where I felt most welcomed. Right after my admission, I started receiving calls from current students and alumni—not random outreach, but people intentionally selected because they had something in common with me. Another important factor was the small class size, which allows alumni to be more focused and intentional in supporting you during recruiting. I knew alumni engagement shouldn’t be taken for granted, but I had consistently heard that at Tuck it was particularly strong, and the smaller community makes that support even more personal. I also wanted to recruit for finance, and while Tuck is more known for consulting, I actually saw that as an advantage. A smaller cohort competing for banking roles means a more tailored, personal approach rather than being lost in the crowd. Coming from another country, I was also looking for a place where I could meet as many people as possible and build meaningful relationships. In a bigger city, where people already have established networks and it’s easier to travel, it can be harder to connect early on, especially during those first busy months. At Tuck, you naturally spend a lot of time together during that initial adjustment period, and that shared experience creates strong bonds, which I think is the real secret behind the strength of the Tuck community.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AT TUCK?
I’ve always been drawn to technical topics, so when it came time to choose electives, I naturally gravitated toward those. Looking back though, I wish I had focused more on the areas where I was less comfortable, like communications and negotiation—those classes that take you out of your comfort zone push you the most. Many times I found myself debating between taking a class that felt directly useful for my future job and one that would personally challenge me in a safe environment. Another thing I discovered is that I really enjoy classes that involve discussion and debate, especially when they are well facilitated by the professor. For topics like Ethics, for example, that format stimulates much deeper thinking than just reading or listening to a lecture.
WHAT MAKES THE TUCK COMMUNITY DISTINCT FROM OTHER MBA PROGRAMS?
What makes the Tuck community distinct is how personal and interconnected it feels on a daily basis. Knowing the names of all my classmates, and many people in the classes above and below, is something that doesn’t happen at most MBA programs—my friends at other schools are often surprised when I tell them. That sense of closeness extends beyond the students, whether it’s faculty lunches, small group dinners, or alumni who almost always respond—and even into Hanover itself. There’s a strong feeling that once you’re a Tuckie, you’re always a Tuckie. Through Tuck GIVES, a student-led program that funds nonprofit and public sector summer internships, I saw firsthand how willing people are to give back. Even Tuck’s location on Dartmouth’s campus, with shared outdoor spaces like Occom Pond in the winter, creates more opportunities to connect. All of this together creates a community that feels genuinely invested in each other.
CAN YOU SHARE A MOMENT OR LESSON FROM YOUR TIME AT TUCK THAT WILL STAY WITH YOU LONG AFTER GRADUATION?
Sometimes we tend to create groups and stick to them because we feel comfortable. I chose Tuck partly to avoid that dynamic, but even here, maybe because it’s just human nature, it naturally emerged over time. I realized in some ways I was limiting myself, so during my second year I decided to join different clubs and take part in more treks and travel opportunities. My main goal was to spend time with people I wouldn’t have naturally connected with because of those group dynamics. This is the lesson I will bring with me: keep my perspective open, step outside my comfort zone, and make a conscious effort to meet as many people as possible.
IN ONE SENTENCE, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TUCK MBA EXPERIENCE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING BUSINESS SCHOOL?
A highly personal and immersive experience where you’re pushed outside your comfort zone while building unconventional connections with a community that is genuinely invested in your growth.
