WHY MBA?
I was a fellow at McKinsey in Berlin before entering graduate school. While I knew I wanted to return to McKinsey after graduation, my long-term vision has always been entrepreneurship – both due to family roots and my passion. At McKinsey, I've built a strong analytical foundation and learned to work in high-performing teams. However, transitioning from consultant to entrepreneur requires a fundamental mindset shift, moving from risk-aversion and perfectionism to embracing uncertainty and innovation.

The MBA/MEM dual degree at Tuck/Thayer offered the perfect opportunity to bridge this gap. Here, I can reflect on my leadership style, develop new skills, and connect with diverse perspectives from around the world. The program creates space to experiment, take risks, and build the entrepreneurial mindset I'll need for my future ventures, all while engaging with a vibrant community that challenges and supports me.

WHY TUCK?
Tuck's intimate and personal nature captivated me from my first visit to Hanover. The program's size creates an ideal learning environment, and small classes allow for deeper engagement with professors and genuine connections with classmates. In this collaborative setting, I'm developing both the entrepreneurial mindset and general management skills essential for my future aspirations.

Additionally, Dartmouth offers me the unique opportunity for me to pursue a dual degree with the Thayer School of Engineering. This combination allows me to complement my business perspective with technical expertise, a powerful combination for someone who aims to build innovative solutions and ventures in the future.

ON TUCK’S POWERFUL COMMUNITY
Through family and friends, I know most of the top business schools in the world. Hanover is not Boston or Chicago – but it is the perfect framework to make magic happen. And the magic happens among the members of this small community. Attending Tuck – for me – is an “all-in” decision: people who choose Tuck are explicitly signing up for a high level of engagement, intimacy and connection, creating a unique ecosystem of students, faculty and administration – a family. And it happens only at Dartmouth. And you will keep this family for life.

ON TUCK’S IMMERSIVE LOCATION
Tuck's location in Hanover is central to its transformative experience. The picturesque college town away from the city works as a filter—those who choose Tuck are deliberately opting for immersion over distraction, fully committing to their education and community.

Since few students have existing connections in Hanover and leaving requires effort, everyone invests deeply in building relationships within the community from day one. This geographic isolation becomes our greatest strength, forging bonds that would take years to develop elsewhere.

The location also transforms our educational experience. Visiting executives who come to co-teach typically stay for extended periods, creating organic opportunities for students to connect with industry leaders over meals or coffee. These intimate conversations simply wouldn't happen in a bustling city campus where executives rush in and out for their commitments.

MY ADVICE FOR FUTURE MBAS
My advice to prospective MBA students is deceptively simple but crucial: amid the whirlwind of activities, regularly reconnect with your original purpose for pursuing an MBA. Time at Tuck moves incredibly quickly, and it's easy to get swept up in the constant flow of coursework, events, and club commitments.

It is especially crucial to do this before you get to Tuck.  Sit with yourself and reflect on what you enjoy doing and who you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, even 20 years from now. When you’ve done this, you can be intentional about prioritizing experiences that align with your aspirations.  Then, take time each term to reflect on your progress toward your personal and professional goals. Stay focused on your 'why' even as you embrace all that Tuck has to offer.