In this edition of our ongoing series Real Humans: MBA Students, we go beyond the class profile to meet some new members of the Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2026.
296 students enrolled in the Tuck MBA program this fall. Forty-four percent are women and 30 percent are international, representing 41 different countries by citizenship. Twenty-nine percent of U.S. students identify as a minority and 15 percent as underrepresented. Seven percent are members of the LGBTQ+ community. During their undergraduate years, the new Tuck MBAs earned an average 3.6 GPA. Forty-five percent had majored in arts, humanities or social sciences. Twenty-six percent each had earned degrees in a STEM discipline or business. Thirteen percent already hold advanced degrees while 15 percent reported being the first in their families to graduate from a four-year university.
Tuck MBAs’ work experience spans 231 unique employers. A quarter hailed from consulting while 23 percent had worked in financial services. Thirteen percent came from the tech field and 10 percent from a non-profit/government background. Healthcare/pharma/biotech rounds out the top five pre-MBA industries at nine percent. All together, the group averaged 5.75 years of work experience before matriculating. When it came time to take the GMAT, Tuckies landed an average score of 727. Those who opted for the GRE reported an average score of 161 in both the Verbal and Quant sections. And, now, beyond the stats…
…from the vibrant Lima, Peru, to military operations in the U.S. Air Force, and the bustling finance hub of New York City, the journeys that led these students to New Hampshire are as inspiring as they are varied. Each student brings a distinctive voice to the classroom while embracing Tuck’s hallmark close-knit community and immersive learning environment.
Take Arianna Ramirez Brown, a former growth strategist from Lima, who chose Tuck for its small class size and unparalleled community support. Her decision was grounded in her desire to evolve as a leader in the tech industry, leveraging the program’s rigorous academics and inclusive culture. Similarly, Brian Rojas, a former Air Force Pararescueman, was drawn to Tuck’s transformative environment, which seamlessly blends support and challenge, making it the ideal setting for his entrepreneurial aspirations.
The class is equally enriched by individuals like Carlie Rutan, whose career journey spans investment banking, crypto ventures, and social impact. She found her “home” at Tuck, captivated by its experiential learning opportunities and community-driven ethos. Meanwhile, Gracie Ghartey-Tagoe, with experience in corporate strategy and retail investment banking, sees Tuck as the perfect place to hone her leadership style while deepening her financial acumen for a career in private equity.
The Class of 2026 also features global perspectives from students like Maarten Beckx of Belgium, who has worked in the CPG and tech industries and is passionate about fostering inclusive environments. Jack Manning, who balances his passion for adaptive sports and business analytics, exemplifies the spirit of resilience and teamwork that defines Tuck’s collaborative culture.
Across their shared stories, the consistent theme is Tuck’s unique value proposition: a small, supportive community that extends beyond Hanover to a robust global alumni network. From tackling core academic challenges to enjoying outdoor adventures like skiing and Tripod Hockey, the Class of 2026 is already diving into a full spectrum of opportunities. This group of ambitious, values-driven leaders is united by a common purpose: to learn from each other, embrace personal growth, and leave Tuck ready to shape industries and communities worldwide. Read on for their stories.
