Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?

Sample One

I will contribute to Tuck through my ability to break down cultural barriers and increase the cultural awareness of my fellow students. In the past ten years of my life, I have lived in seven different places as I have pursued academic and professional opportunities. Immersing myself in these many new environments has challenged me to see myself the way others see me, and perhaps more importantly, to see how others see themselves. I first experienced a new culture when I left Mississippi at the age of 14 to attend Phillips Andover in Massachusetts. Culture and climate shock ensued as I was a Mississippi girl among a predominantly New England student body. The transition into this new environment was further complicated by the negative stereotypes I faced about my own cultural background. Since I was the first Southerner that many of my classmates had ever met, they were bursting with questions: “Are your parents cousins?” “Do you live on a plantation?” and “Do people wear shoes down there?” People were fascinated when I did not live up to their pre-conceived notions of what Southerners were like. As I faced other people’s views of my cultural background, I realized that many of my own pre-conceived notions were just as far-fetched and amusing.

I further developed my ability to perceive and navigate cultural differences through my study abroad experiences in high school and college, where I spent a year in Italy and a year in Trinidad, respectively. When I first arrived in these countries, the cultural differences I observed were vast and fascinating. As I patiently overcame the language barrier, I moved past simply observing how the cultures were different from my own to finally understanding why they were different. This process of discovering how and why cultures differ stimulates and satisfies my intellectual curiosity more than anything else. My passion for understanding diverse peoples and ways of life will strengthen the community at Tuck by promoting an environment where different ideas can be expressed, understood, and accepted. Because Tuck’s students come from very diverse cultural backgrounds, it is to be expected that we will have diverging viewpoints and opinions on everything from business to politics and religion. When cultural differences arise, instead of viewing them as a challenge, I will view them as an opportunity to engage my classmates. I will encourage my peers to share their own unique personal histories, values, and life experiences so that we can not only learn what our classmates think, but also understand why they think that way.

In this age of increasing globalization, it is inevitable that my fellow students and I will come into contact with peoples and ways of life that are unfamiliar to us. As future global business leaders, we need to be able to communicate and contribute on a level that conveys and perceives more than just quantitative data. My own experiences have taught me that an open mind, respect, humility, patience, and southern manners can break down any cultural barrier that I may encounter. By contributing these qualities to the Tuck culture, I would hope to enhance the global experience of my peers.

Sample Two

I grew up in India during the 1990s, a time of change as rapid economic growth led to social upheaval. My family and my education during those formative adolescent years have taught me to keep an open mind, be curious about the world around me, and be actively engaged in my community.

My appreciation for contrasting viewpoints is rooted in my exposure to diversity. Realizing that cultural sensitivity was an important asset in India’s increasingly cosmopolitan cities and commercial life, my parents intentionally sought out a school with a diverse student body to teach me how to negotiate modern Indian life. This was a big change—my older sister, for example, had attended a relatively homogenous school. My classmates traced their roots to every corner of India; my closest friends practiced three different religions. Periodically, when the tumult in Indian society would descend into violence, my friends and I would reflect upon these issues. We each had distinct opinions, and I saw how people with distinct beliefs interpreted the same situation differently. I learned to appreciate varied viewpoints—and even to seek them out in order to expand my own thinking and deepen my connections to those around me.

My father’s enthusiasm for explaining how machines work—a natural extension of his work as an engineer—spurred my affinity for the physical sciences as a teenager. A collection of motley tools and broken electronics became my laboratory at home, enabling me to experiment and develop my sense of curiosity; in high school, for instance, I taught myself vocational electronics to repair my transistor radio. I enjoyed tackling challenges that required ingenuity and tact, such as the maze-navigating robot I built in college, combining programming, electronics, and metalworking. My entrepreneurial mindset grew from this desire to explore and experiment. India’s inequities in wealth contribute to tense social dynamics; the daily dichotomy between rich and poor is inescapable. Keenly aware of their privilege, my parents demonstrated their gratitude in myriad ways, such as funding the college education of one needy student every year for more than two decades. Their generous spirit and helping nature imbued in me a deep desire to actively contribute to my local community.

In college, for instance, I arranged cultural festivals, hosted fundraisers, and was elected to the Student Council. At Acme, I managed the “campus-connect” initiative, organizing sessions to help students connect with alumni and get career advice. As a result, over 15 students from my alma mater accepted offers from Acme that year. I enjoy organizing such events, and these experiences provided me with avenues for helping others, enabling me to build strong relationships with my colleagues. As a recent transplant to California, these values have proven invaluable as I adjust to life in a foreign country. My ability to connect with diverse individuals has helped me assimilate into multicultural America. Teaching new computer languages to an elderly Vietnamese mainframe programmer, for instance, also allowed me to learn about his remarkable voyage from his homeland, and put my own journey into a new light. After volunteering to design an online directory for low-cost computing resources for the City of Los Angeles, I realized that I was a privileged member of this society as well, and my ongoing volunteer work reflects my commitment to using the advantages I have been afforded to help the less fortunate.

I am confident that my values of being curious about the world around me, receptive to other points of view, and actively participating in my community will enable me to make a lasting contribution to the Tuck community. My ability to connect with students of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds will help me build lasting friendships. The energy and intellectual curiosity I bring to my cohort will motivate us as we collaborate on complex and challenging assignments. Through the Nonprofit Exchange and Tuck Student Consulting Services, I intend to be an active participant in my community and I am eager to share this experience with my Tuck colleagues. With my openness, creativity, and desire to impact the world around me, I will enrich the MBA experience of my fellow students both inside and outside the classroom.

Sample Three

I am fortunate to have traveled to many different areas of the world, gaining an understanding of each country’s customs and cultures. One of the ways I immersed myself in the culture was by staying with residents of the country, rather than just visiting as a tourist. These unique experiences have had a meaningful and long-lasting impact on my view and understanding of the world. Since several of these experiences involved Spanish-speaking countries, I had the opportunity to become proficient in Spanish as well. Speaking and understanding the native language greatly enhanced my immersion in and appreciation of these different cultures, and as a result I am very sensitive to cultural differences and perspectives.

One of the most interesting things I have learned through travelling is that while there are many differences across cultures, there are certain human characteristics that are shared among all. In Panama, for example, I lived with a family while working at an orphanage. The local Panamanians who worked at the orphanage and I were motivated by a common factor: to do whatever we could do to make the lives of these children better. I realized then that finding one common idea to motivate a group of people can be very powerful. I now use this awareness to motivate others, whether I am part of a team or leading a group of people.

Meaningful interaction with other cultures has broadened my thinking and enriched me personally as well as professionally. My international perspective and sensitivity to other cultures will enhance the value of my contribution to the global discussion that occurs at Tuck. With the significant international diversity of the Tuck faculty and student body I will be able to contribute from my experiences while also expanding my own views by learning from others. Furthermore, I hope to take part in the Global Consultancy and gain valuable work experience abroad by combining my passion for travel with my interest in business.

My depth of experience in marketing is another viewpoint I can contribute. My interest began as an undergraduate at Middlebury College, where I was able to create a new joint major in economics and psychology and have been fortunate that my work experience to-date has built upon this dual interest. The marketing positions I have held have each enriched and expanded my understanding of the field. I can offer a broadly-based viewpoint into any marketing discussion, drawing on my real world experience in branding, CPG consulting, and digital marketing planning and analytics.

Along with my international viewpoint and broad knowledge of marketing, I can bring an enthusiasm and energy for business to Tuck which will add to each discussion and team of which I am a part. I hope to be involved in the Marketing Club and Retail Club, and not only benefit from their resources, but also help to bring in speakers with a digital and luxury retail marketing background. In addition to all of the above, I will bring my active and outgoing personality to campus. Coming from Middlebury, I know firsthand the benefits of a small, tight-knit community and am excited to be immersed in the Tuck culture in every aspect. In addition to organizing study groups and social events, I would be an active participant in a variety of athletic clubs and share my love of tennis, squash, skiing, and golf. Overall, I know I can be a valuable contributor to the Tuck community, both academically and socially and sincerely hope to join the class of 2012.

Sample Four


While some may look at my life and see obstacles, I like to view these “obstacles” as catalysts for my most valuable life lessons. They have not hindered my ability to achieve, but rather have taught me how to maintain faith and overcome adversity, how to love unconditionally and embrace diversity, and how to appreciate the value of responsibility and hard work.

I was raised on a small ranch in a rural area near Corvallis, Oregon and I recall a happy childhood despite my parents’ separation and my father’s remarriage. All of that changed during the year I turned twelve. In December 1994, my mother died of a heroin overdose. While I noticed that my mother rarely worked, I never suspected she was abusing drugs. Her death was an extraordinary shock to me and my younger sister Caroline. My extended family rallied to support the two of us. My aunts and uncles took us to the beach to distract us from the harsh reality of our loss. My grandmother brought our entire family together for dinner each Sunday. Most importantly, my father spoke to us about finding the strength to care for each other and focus on the future. Gradually, his faith began to ease my sorrow. As we healed, I began to see the value of maintaining faith as I realized that life only gives you that which you can handle.

Unfortunately, this budding resiliency was put to the test a few months later when my brother, Joe, was born with Down syndrome. I was excited to meet my new baby brother until my dad warned me that he was disabled. Immediately, I thought of the “retarded” kids whom my friends and I whispered about at school. I was terrified that my brother would be like them. Frightened herself, my step-mother abandoned our family to avoid raising a disabled child. As a single parent, my father now needed my help. However, as a social pre-teen, I resented forgoing junior high social events to watch my siblings. But over time, I grew accustomed to my parent-like role and enjoyed the positive impact my contribution had on my siblings. I also made an effort to educate myself on Joe’s disability and grew to admire him profoundly. Humbled by his efforts to write, perform basic math, and ride a bike, I realized that I had much to learn from his perseverance and joyful perspective on life. In fact, helping Joe adapt to the world inspired me to support and mentor other families with special needs children.

By high school, I took great pride in helping raise my siblings. I valued our close relationship and sought to help my father more. During those summers, I contributed financially by cleaning swimming pools, working as a lifeguard, and selling newspaper subscriptions. I stayed in Corvallis for college, self-funding my education and continuing to support my family.

My journey from a small ranch near Corvallis to the heights of a midtown Manhattan investment banking office to now applying to Tuck has not been easy. However, I believe the challenges of experiencing the loss of my mother, learning to accept and love Joe, and providing for my family have made me who I am today – resilient, optimistic, open-minded, loving, and responsible. These qualities will allow me to tackle any challenge I face at Tuck with confidence, develop life-long friendships and professional relationships with fellow students and faculty members, and create unprecedented opportunities for myself and my classmates.

Sample Five

My parents moved to the United States from Mexico in the 1990s. My father is a math professor and received a position at the University of Iowa. My experiences in a foreign country have helped me to become a more open person. I now appreciate the diversity of the world and actively try to learn about people who are different from me.

It was culture shock for me to go from a town where everyone looked like me, to a place where I was considered exotic. My classmates were welcoming, and I learned to speak English with almost no accent quickly. The seasons in Iowa were a shock to someone who grew up in a warm seaside town. It took me months to become acclimated to the food, and my mother had to travel to the next town to find chilies and cilantro to prepare our favorite foods.

However, what has been most interesting to me over the years are the stereotypes that follow me in my life in the U.S. as a person of Mexican heritage. When I went to college many of my classmates assumed I was on scholarship and that my parents were probably uneducated. When I told them that my mother is a trained dentist and my father is a professor, they had to change their conception of what a Mexican American is.

As someone who is often judged before someone gets to know me as a person, I have learned to see beyond the superficial in others. For example, one of my best friends in college was on a football scholarship. Many people assumed that Rick was not interested in intellectual pursuits and would only focus on sports and parties. Because of my background I never make assumptions, and I treated Rick as if he was just as serious as any other classmate. Soon Rick and I started discussing the material from our world history class for hours. We built a strong friendship out of shared intellectual interests that lasts to this day.

At Tuck I look forward to getting to know all of my classmates, regardless of their backgrounds and interests, and building bridges with all of them.

Sample Six (Excerpt)

As a U.S. citizen who has worked in China’s emerging telecommunications industry for the past three years, I have learned many invaluable lessons, a great deal of them through mistakes. The most significant mistake I made during the first few months of my job was appearing too aggressive during business meetings, employing a Western-style emphasis on closing the deal with potential business partners. Only through experience did I learn that my Chinese associates put a greater emphasis on relationship building. I would not gain their trust in a single business meeting. Rather, I needed to get to know them over long meals, sometimes during which we would discuss business only fleetingly. At first, learning to exercise patience and conform to this custom was quite difficult for me, but over time I saw the value of putting relationships before business.

Now that this Chinese custom has been integrated into my own perspective, I look forward to bringing it into the Tuck community. When I embark upon my First Year Project, I will encourage my group to make our team building and relationships integral to our work, and I will strive to make personal connections with all of my peers. I can also make valuable introductions to my Chinese business associates on behalf of my Tuck colleagues, as a personal introduction from someone they trust carries great weight. Finally, I can share my global perspective and the cultural lessons I learned working internationally, so that my globally bound Tuck peers don’t make the same mistakes I did.

Sample Seven

My passion for food and travel are important aspects of my life I want to share with my Tuck classmates.

Travel is one of my key passions. As a child my father worked for a large multinational corporation and occasionally took the family along if he had an extended meeting overseas. I remember trekking across London with my mother and visiting everything from Big Ben to Harrods. Hearing an unfamiliar accent and seeing different items in the shops was fascinating to me. Since then I have taken every opportunity to travel whether in school as part of an exchange program or informally with friends. In the last five years I have spent time in Argentina, Africa, China, and Brazil. Travel has been an eye-opening experience for me, and I am comfortable talking to almost anyone, regardless of the language barrier. For example, I struck up a friendship with my taxi driver in Buenos Aires and still receive letters from him, including photos of his kids. I look forward to joining the international community at Tuck, and I plan to get to know classmates from around the world in local villages.

Food is another passion of mine that has arisen out of my world travels. Culinary differences are one of the most interesting areas to explore across the world. When I was in China last summer I sought out a regional restaurant that serves seasonal cuisine and has a different menu every day. The tranquil location and transcendent food was one of the highlights of my trip. As a result I returned to San Francisco determined to find some of the dishes I had sampled in China. I must have visited almost all of the restaurants in Chinatown and was thrilled to experience a range of authentic tastes here in my hometown. I have deepened my involvement in food by taking cooking classes in my spare time and preparing international meals for my friends and family at my monthly dinner parties. I look forward to continuing this tradition at Tuck.

My volunteer activities are a direct result of my passion for travel and food. For the past three years I have traveled to developing countries to volunteer with an organization that builds schools in local villages over a 1-2 week period. This is a great way for me to scratch my travel bug and do good in the world. I plan to continue my volunteer work at Tuck and hopefully bring some classmates with me!

My passion for food has led me to raise funds for a local organization that brings farmers’ markets to low-income neighborhoods in San Francisco. Our mission is to subsidize the farmer’s presence at the market so that all families have access to affordable and fresh food. I have helped coordinate several fundraising events this year that bring together foodies in San Francisco to sample local chef’s dishes and donate to a good cause.

I am excited to be part of the diverse Tuck community to share my own passions and learn about the passions of my classmates.