Karch Bachman, Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2025
Karch Bachman, Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2025Age: 26
Hometown: Wolcottville, IN
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Miami University, Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Investment Banking Analyst, Lazard, 1 year; Professional Hockey Player, Florida Panthers Hockey Club, 3 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
When I was forced to retire from hockey unexpectedly, I had to quickly pivot to the next stage of my life. Professionally, that step was investment banking. I was a finance major in undergrad and spent three years as a member of Miami University’s Investment Banking Club. I was surrounded by strong mentors there and had a plan to transition to investment banking whenever my hockey career ended. When injuries derailed my career, my focus immediately shifted back to banking. I began the search for analyst roles while also applying for my MBA, hoping that one path would prevail. I was fortunate to receive an offer from Lazard and spent six months with an incredible group in Minneapolis focused on industrial M&A. I was also fortunate to be accepted to Tuck, my top program, months into my analyst role. As an older analyst with experience, a Tuck MBA would allow me to progress my career while also providing unique opportunities outside of banking that would otherwise not be available.
Why did you choose Dartmouth Tuck? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Tuck was far and away the best fit for me. The community is small and tight-knit. The academics are challenging, but the support offered is second to none. Many of the top companies in the world partner with Tuck during recruiting and Tuck has an impressive track record placing Tuckies at these firms. Hanover is a beautiful town and the surrounding area has everything that an outdoors lover could want. Not to mention, hockey is part of the fabric of the Tuck experience (tripod hockey, Tuck A & B teams, etc.), and I felt like I could bring my experience to the table. Lastly, every single Tuckie that I reached out to during my application process took the time to speak with me and answer the questions that I had. This was not the case with other MBA programs, and I really felt that it spoke to the culture of the Tuck community. Now that I have been here for over a month, I realize just how accurate that belief was—Tuck is truly one of a kind.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
The easier question to answer here is what differentiating contribution I bring to the class of 2025. I have been incredibly fortunate to play hockey at essentially every level and share the ice with some of the greatest athletes in the world. I have seen the way that they prepare, how they lead, and what separates them from the rest of the pack—it usually has a lot to do with mindset/mentality. I feel that my experiences provide a unique perspective on some issues and/or skills that translate to the business setting. As for my most valuable contribution to the class, I think this will be my commitment to the Tuck community. I am incredibly grateful to be here and have no intention of spending my two years coasting. I will be involved in as many ways as I can manage and give back to the community that has provided me with an opportunity I never thought would be possible.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I grew up in a small, agricultural community in Indiana where about 50 percent of the population is Amish. Thus, much of our community does not utilize electricity or many of the modern technologies (smartphones, cars, etc.) that we see on a daily basis. I always enjoy the simplicity and peacefulness of being back home.
Post-MBA career interests:
I will be making the transition back to investment banking, as I thoroughly enjoyed my experience prior to Tuck. I also have an interest in equities investing and plan to leverage the stock pitch competitions that Tuck participates in to gain more exposure to the industry.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely visit the schools that I am most interested in attending. I know not everyone will have the ability to do so, but if you can, I highly recommend it. You can read every article or statistic out there, but until you are on campus, meeting students, you don’t really know what the program is like. I also thought that it was beneficial to show interest and meet members of the admissions team, so that they could associate a face with a resume.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
One thing that I would do differently is give myself more time to take the GMAT. I felt that the GMAT was a challenging exam that required significant preparation, but there was also an element of luck involved. The first time I took it, I scored well on the verbal section and not as well on the quant. The second time I took it, the results were inverted. It is not that I suddenly had a different understanding of the material, I just happened to get different questions and managed my time better/worse. Had I started GMAT prep earlier, I could have given it another shot or two.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the GMAT. I felt that it was a test where results would only improve with more time/effort. I do not have a natural gift for test-taking, so that meant I had to make up for it by putting in over 320 hours preparing. The Manhattan Prep GMAT course was a great primer, but I had to just put my head down and work.
What is your initial impression of the Dartmouth Tuck students/culture/community?
I truly could not be more impressed by the Tuck culture and community. Those that know me well know that I am honest to a fault, but my Tuck experience so far has been all positive. Tuck is known for being “Tuck nice,” in reference to its collection of humble, genuine students, faculty, and staff. Before stepping on campus, I questioned whether this niceness would detract from the professionalism and passion for excellence that I was seeking. The answer is, emphatically, no. While the Tuck community is full of incredible people who are supportive, Tuck means business. The faculty are first-class, and the students are highly driven, passionate individuals that were the best of the best at what they did before Tuck.
What is one thing you have learned about Dartmouth Tuck that has surprised you?
One thing that has surprised me is the rigor of the core classes. I had heard mixed stories from individuals that received their MBA (from various programs) on the academic commitment, so I was unsure what exactly to expect. The first term at Tuck is not easy, and students take pride in their work. You learn a lot at a relatively fast pace, but also have as much support as you could need. Beyond the core, I have heard that work outside of class is less significant, but I anticipate that the learning environment will be very similar.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I would not say that I am anxious about anything, but I am definitely being intentional about the recruiting process. It starts early and the time commitment is substantial, so I have dedicated time to making sure I am prepared for the process.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The list is long for this question, but I would say that I am most excited to be part of the Tuck MBA hockey team as well as support the Tripod Hockey Club. Hockey is so much fun and when you get to share your passion with 250-plus of your peers, that is pretty special.
