Meet Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA Class of 2018

Ramon Fuentebella

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am the reliably resourceful, receptive and responsible, rational and risk-taking Ramon.

Hometown: Naga City, Philippines

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have traveled to six continents.

Undergraduate School and Major: Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), AB Management Economics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Ernst & Young (New York), Transfer Pricing – Analyst / Senior Analyst

Procter & Gamble Asia (Singapore), Consumer and Market Knowledge – Associate Manager / Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I initiated a project that helped regain a brand’s market share in Asia. As the designated consumer advocate in my team, I presented an analysis highlighting the fact that the brand was not gaining new consumers and proposed a new ideation and tracking system. I engaged stakeholders across various levels, functions, and countries. This initiative was eventually given recognition awards by the Asia and global leadership teams.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? The business school application process is challenging, but if you immerse yourself in it and trust the process, you will find yourself much more self-aware and better-prepared for business school than ever before.

• Commit to studying for the GMAT. There will be abundant excuses to delay your review. In my case I booked my test date way in advance to push myself to study.

• Take the time to reflect on your essay and interview responses. Ask yourself what your career options are and make a case for why the MBA (and the school you’re applying to) is the best option at this point in your life.

• Get to know your prospective school(s) on a personal level by reaching out to students and alumni. If you’re applying to Tuck, visit the campus and take advantage of the open interview.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I chose Tuck because of its very supportive community, which includes not only the people I’ll meet in school, but also the incredibly loyal alumni network. I had first-hand experience when I was applying to Tuck and deciding among schools. The students I spoke with generously provided advice, while the alumni I reached out to responded very quickly. Everyone I spoke with from Tuck shared fond anecdotes of their business school experience, and spoke very highly of the people they met through the school.

Having worked in different parts of the world, I was also attracted to Tuck’s emphasis on global perspective in addition to the school’s solid academic curriculum. I felt that through various aspects of Tuck’s MBA program—the global consulting projects and insight expeditions, the student activities and clubs, and the research centers and initiatives—I would get a holistic education in the next two years.

Finally, I was attracted to Tuck’s learning environment: a smaller class and a more rural location compared to other business schools. I have lived in tropical cities for most of my life, so this setting will be a new adventure.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I hope to work in an organization where the workflow is fast-paced and challenging, where initiative and creativity are highly valued, and where colleagues are very supportive and collaborative. I also hope to work in a diverse and globally-focused organization driven by a mission to help its customers and clients.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I wish to be known as someone who has generously contributed his time and energy to build a strong Tuck community over the next two years. I hope to be a helpful friend and a reliable classmate to my fellow Tuckies. I also wish to be known as someone who “paid it forward” by generously helping the succeeding classes of Tuck.