The Tuck School of Business was named a "best-value school" for veterans in a review published in December by Military MBA, an education and employment network for military officers interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Business Administration. The review cites Tuck's high ranking in 2009 by U.S. News and World Report and its commitment to reducing tuition for veterans as key strengths of the institution.
The study was published to help veterans find "military-friendly" schools by providing a more comprehensive look at business schools than traditional ranking systems, Greg Eisenbarth, executive director of Military MBA, said in an interview.
"There were really no reliable or valid ways for veterans to evaluate MBA programs," Eisenbarth said. "As a result of the $78 billion from the GI Bill, there is a lot of money and a lot of officers looking to get their degrees right now."
In addition to financial aid from Tuck and basic benefits in the GI Bill, aid funding is provided by the Yellow Ribbon Program, which makes federal money available to veterans attending private institutions, according to Diane Bonin, director of financial aid at Tuck.
According to the review, 80.4 percent of a veteran's tuition at Tuck is covered, but veterans who attend Tuck and meet certain qualifications for the Yellow Ribbon Program including, in part, 36 months of active duty service often have all costs covered, Bonin said.
Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, schools must place a cap on either the number of veterans they fund or the amount of money they contribute to students receiving Yellow Ribbon funding, Bonin said.
Tuck offers a maximum of $19,233 per student to ensure that the school can provide funding to as many students as possible, she said. Tuck does not cap the number of veterans to whom it extends funding.
Of the 29 veterans enrolled at Tuck, 11 qualify for benefits from the Yellow Ribbon Program, Bonin said.
Dartmouth participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program because of former College President James Wright's influence in helping enact the GI Bill and because of the value of veterans as students, according to Bonin.
Military students have strong leadership skills and senses of responsibility and commitment, she said.
Although the financial benefits that Tuck offers attract many veterans, military students interviewed by The Dartmouth said they were also drawn to Tuck for the small class sizes, welcoming community and the emphasis on teamwork.
"For someone who had come out of the military, I was used to leading a group of sailors or leading groups of airplanes, so Tuck's strong emphasis on teamwork was appealing," Chris Smith Tu '11 said.
Veterans choose to pursue MBAs to make up for inexperience in business and to strengthen their quantitative skills, according to students interviewed by The Dartmouth.
"When I decided to leave the military I knew I wasn't ready to be thrown into the private sector," Noelle Navas Tu '11 said. "I already had the leadership I just needed the business acumen."
Tuck's welcoming community facilitates the transition from the military, as does the support veterans offer each other, Topher Watts Tu '11 said.
The Tuck Armed Forces Alumni Association hosts panels of second-year veteran students for first-year students that introduce them to various internship opportunities, according to Pete Simms Tu '10, co-chair of the association.
The AFAA also helps veteran students translate the skills they learned in the military into "a concise and coherent resume," Simms said.
