Fellows of the Month: Ellen Cory

BA Economics and Political Science, Yale University, 2004
MS Applied Physics, Johns Hopkins University, 2009
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Class of 2014
Hometown: Manchester, CT
Pre-MBA Work Experience: The Boston Consulting Group; Northrop Grumman; Department of Defense

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
I decided to pursue an MBA to develop a stronger general business understanding, particularly in a few areas where I haven’t had much experience, and to get exposure to different career paths.

What advice do you have for women who are considering business school?
Think about what you are looking for in a business school beyond academics. The top business schools all have great academics, but it’s important to find a strong cultural fit as well. In addition to making business school more fun, a good fit means it will be easier to network.

What’s the most surprising you learned about business school during the application process?
I learned that some business schools offer a very tightknit community and that it’s possible to really build relationships with professors in business school. I didn’t see this at the larger schools and it’s one of the primary reasons I chose Tuck.

Do you feel prepared for business school?
I feel well prepared in general, but there are a few courses that will certainly be a challenge. My strong math background from studying physics has been a great help, as have the general business understanding and modeling acumen I developed at BCG.  I haven’t had much experience in capital markets or accounting so am not as well prepared for those classes, but am looking forward to tackling completely new material.

What do you do in your free time?
I play Tripod Hockey and am very excited to ski when its snowing. Lots of students get season passes to Killington and the Dartmouth Skiway is popular as well. I also enjoy going to a local bar with friends and cooking with my husband, who is also a student.

Please share something about your experience with Forté.
The Forté network at Tuck is very strong and the T13 and T14 fellows have already planned social events to get to know each other. It’s great to have another avenue to meet second years and hear their advice on getting the most out of Tuck.