Mr. Outdoorsy Defense Engineer

For what it’s worth, you sound like an ideal Tuckie. People who gravitate to Dartmouth’s MBA program in Hanover, N.H., are often passionate about the outdoors. So you will, no doubt, find your tribe at Tuck and fit right in. Of course, you have to gain an invite first so let’s get to that. I would urge you to apply early in Round 1 with a complete application by Sept. 1. Why? Because if you are able to meet that deadline, you’ll get a guaranteed interview with the school. That is a key advantage, particularly if you have professional presence, are articulate and thoughtful and self-confident but not cocky. Given the fact you were chosen for a leadership development program by a Fortune 500 company and already have a master’s degree in engineering from Georgia Tech, I am thinking you are all that and even more: an engineer with a personality! (No offense to other engineers out there but you know the stereotype). You have strong stats: a 730 GMAT and a 3.5 in a STEM degree. You have a great job with a Fortune 500 company. You have leadership experience because you already lead a team of engineers. And you have heart, based on your leadership role at a non-profit organization, even winning an award for your volunteer work. Your post-MBA career goals are perfectly in line with your experience, so there would be no red flags about using a Tuck MBA to make a transition in a PM job at a tech firm. That’s important because schools want to know they can help you achieve exactly the kind of job you want. Honestly, I think you are perfect for Tuck, and Tuck is perfect for you. Just one thing: If you consider yourself are an introvert (which I sincerely doubt given all the above), I would get some friends to do mock interviews with you, or even hire a coach to prep you for the Tuck interview. Otherwise, get your complete app, including recs, into Tuck by Sept. 1!