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Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

• Who may apply?

  Business Bridge® is open to undergraduate rising sophomores (having completed one year of college) through graduating seniors, in liberal arts or STEM majors.
  
  Business majors are generally not eligible, unless they've taken few or no business courses to date.

  Rising sophomores may apply to Summer Bridge only — not Winter sessions — and must also meet these guidelines: GPA of 3.5+, SAT/ACT math score of 700+, and completion of at least one quantitative course, ideally with a B or above.

  International applicants must submit a TOEFL score. If admitted, you'll work with Tuck and Dartmouth's Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) to obtain an F-1 visa to enter the U.S. Dartmouth students on F-1 sponsorship may apply for a session immediately following degree completion or during an earned leave term — consult Tuck Bridge Admissions and your OVIS advisor. Students in J-1 status should consult their OVIS advisor directly.

• What type of students attend Tuck Bridge?

  Bridge students are liberal arts and science majors from small colleges and large universities who want a competitive edge by building fundamental business skills. View student demographics.

• What is the time commitment during the Bridge program?

  Bridge is more time-intensive than a full-time job — plan on 45–50 hours per week. The program runs six days a week: weekday classes run 6 hours with about 2 hours of evening group work, and weekends have 3–4 hours of class plus additional group/project time. All classes and events run on Eastern Time, and students must attend all live (synchronous) sessions.

  Typical schedule:
  8:30–11:45 am: Morning classes (with AM break)
  12-1 pm: Lunch and Career Development Programs
  1:15-4:30 pm: Afternoon classes (with PM break)
  6–8 pm: Study Group meetings/Capstone work

  View a sample residential program schedule. Course hours: 74 academic, 14 career development, 6 capstone.
   

• What do I need to submit for admission to the Bridge Program and when are applications due?

  See our application requirements. Apply as early as possible to secure your preferred session — your application isn't considered complete, or ready for review, until all required materials are submitted, so don't wait to start until you have everything in hand (give your recommender ample time to respond). 

  Applicants are not asked about race or ethnicity on the application, and this information is never visible to admissions decision-makers during the review period. It may be requested after enrollment and is kept confidential.

• When will I know if I have been accepted to Bridge?

  Decisions are sent 2–4 weeks after all application materials are received. Accepted students confirm their spot with a non-refundable $1,000 deposit, payable by credit card in the student portal. (See “Is there a program cancellation policy?” below for refund terms, and “What payment methods do you accept?” above for payment details.)

• Can I receive course credit for attending Bridge?

  Bridge doesn't award academic credit; check with your undergraduate institution about applying it toward credit on their end. We provide a letter of completion summarizing course objectives and hours completed.

• What payment methods do you accept?

  We will accept the following payment methods: 

  • Check, made out to Dartmouth College 
  • Credit Card, via the application portal (required for deposit payment)
  • Sallie Mae, please use the Tuck Business Bridge Program branch with school code #002573-98
  • 529 accounts via check

  We cannot accept Direct Loans as they do not allow certificate programs like Tuck Bridge, so applications will be rejected.

• Do I need to take the GMAT to apply to Bridge?

  No — Bridge requires SAT or ACT scores only. International applicants must also submit TOEFL scores (see “Can I apply if I am an international student?” below).

• Should I have a minimum GPA or SAT/ACT score?

  There's no minimum, but GPAs of 3.30+ are considered competitive. Review our student demographics. Applicants may upload unofficial SAT or ACT scores to your application.

• Do you offer scholarships?

  Yes — Bridge offers need-based awards. Once admitted, you can apply for aid; awards (partial or, in limited cases, full) are based on demonstrated financial need and typically cover 30–40% of tuition. Bridge aid has no connection to any institutional or federal aid for your degree.

• Is there a program cancellation policy?

  The $1,000 deposit is non-refundable. Once tuition is paid, cancellations within 30 days of the program's start date are not refunded. If Tuck Bridge cancels the program, all payments are refunded in full.

• I have a parent that works at Dartmouth, is there any type of discount for me to attend Tuck Bridge?

  Legal dependents of Dartmouth faculty and staff receive 25% off tuition (room and board excluded). The discount is reported as imputed taxable income on the employee's Dartmouth pay slip.

• Notice of Nondiscrimination 

  Dartmouth College, including all schools and faculties, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion, familial or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected category in its educational, admissions, scholarship, loan, employment, or other administered programs.

  Evaluation Criteria

  Applicants are evaluated holistically on academic excellence, leadership, interpersonal skills, and diversity of background and experience, alongside English fluency and quantitative familiarity. Racial or ethnic status is not considered; an applicant's discussion of how race has shaped their life — through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise — may be, consistent with Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College.

  Data Stewardship

  As noted above, race/ethnicity data is not collected during the admissions review period and is kept confidential if requested after enrollment.

  Aid and Scholarship Policies

  Admitted students may apply for scholarships; awards (partial or full) are based on financial need, assessed from income, assets, and financial responsibilities as reported on the Application for Scholarship and Aid. Award decisions are communicated by email.

• Attendance and Program Completion Certificate Policy

  Attendance Expectations

  Bridge is a professional academic program — students are expected to be present, punctual, prepared, and engaged. Attendance is required for all daily classes, electives, study group and capstone sessions (launch, check-ins, faculty labs, rehearsal, and final presentations), scheduled MBA Fellow check-ins, and Career Day (alumni panels, networking, and one afternoon activity). Repeated late arrivals or early departures may be logged as partial absences.

  Optional but encouraged: lunchtime programming, office hours, and social events.

  Excused absences (family emergency, serious illness, religious observance) require advance notice to Bridge staff via the Bridge Support inbox and to the relevant faculty member or MBA Fellow — notification facilitates communication but doesn't itself authorize the absence. Students remain responsible for missed assignments, additional coursework, and session materials.

  Certificate Criteria

  To earn a completion certificate, students must stay in good standing: consistent attendance, active participation in study groups and capstone work, completed pre-work, and a submitted resume and Career Day reflection.

• I'm interested in an MBA from the Tuck School of Business after completing the Tuck Bridge program, can I get the MBA admissions fee waived?

  Yes — Tuck Admissions waives the MBA application fee for all Bridge alumni.

• Is there a difference between the Summer Bridge and Winter Bridge sessions?

  Both sessions cover the same core courses, taught by the same faculty, with the same career development programming — except the January virtual career stream excludes on-campus recruiting. Most additional (elective) sessions are offered during Winter Bridge. See the Virtual Program FAQs below for details specific to Winter Session II.

On-Campus Program FAQs

• What career development resources are available through Bridge’s on-campus programs?

  Career Day features panels and a networking event covering industries from consulting to investment banking to nonprofit work. Tuck Career Services runs workshops on resumes, cover letters, interviewing, and networking, and Tuck MBA Career Development Advisors offer one-on-one resume reviews, mock interviews, and career guidance. Bridge also compiles a resume book distributed to corporate recruiting contacts.

• I've been accepted and have enrolled in an on-campus Tuck Bridge program, when will I hear what I need to bring to campus?

  We'll send enrolled in-person participants a Resource Page covering arrival/departure logistics, housing and dorm amenities, what to bring, and local resources.

• Are non-Dartmouth students eligible to apply to Winter Bridge?

  Yes, as long as their institution isn't in session during the Winter Bridge Program dates.

• Can I use the Tuck and Dartmouth facilities?

  Yes — you'll have access to most of Tuck's facilities (business library, computer labs, study rooms, exercise room, dining hall) as well as Dartmouth's dining halls and athletic center.

• Where will I live and eat?

  Summer Bridge
  You'll live on Tuck's campus in the same air-conditioned residence halls Tuck MBA students use, each with a single air-conditioned room and private bathroom. A meal card covers various Dartmouth campus eateries — Bridge is fully immersive, so you'll live and learn as Tuck's MBA students do.

  Winter Bridge
  Dartmouth students with approved fall/winter housing apply via DartHub's Housing StarPortal to stay in their assigned undergraduate housing; those not confirmed for on-campus housing stay at the Hanover Inn for an additional charge unless they arrange housing themselves. Non-Dartmouth students and Dartmouth students without on-campus housing have lodging coordinated through Tuck Bridge at the Hanover Inn for a subsidized fee of $3,000. Most meals are served at Byrne Dining Hall or other Dartmouth Dining Services locations.

• Assistance Animal Policy

  Students requesting an Emotional Support Animal must complete the Assistance Animal Registry Form and schedule an appointment with Dartmouth's ADA/504 Coordinator before arriving on campus, along with current clinical documentation covering the condition, its longevity and severity, its impact on learning, the clinician's length of involvement, why an ESA is necessary, and any accommodations previously tried. 

  Students must also provide up-to-date information on the animal's health, vaccinations, and most recent flea/tick treatment. Any animal on campus must: assist a person with a disability, be housebroken, spayed/neutered, appropriately vaccinated and healthy, non-aggressive, leashed/tethered/caged, nondisruptive, and under the handler's control at all times.

  Students should familiarize themselves with Dartmouth's Assistance Animal Policy.

Virtual Program FAQs

• What is the cost of the virtual program?

  Virtual Bridge delivers the same high-quality, community-based program — including rich learning, top-ranked MBA faculty, and impactful career resources — without sacrificing its high-touch, rigorous nature. Reiew the virtual dates and tuition.

• What are the technology requirements and recommendations for Virtual Bridge?

  Virtual Bridge runs on Zoom to support the program's collaborative format.

  Required:

  • Computer with Windows 10 or MacOS High Sierra, or newer operating system
  • Integrated camera for videoconferencing or an external camera that can be plugged in  

  Recommended: 

  • Headset with a dedicated microphone

  • Earbuds with a standard 3.5mm plug for audio 

  • Wired connection to the internet 

  • External monitor that is large enough to comfortably watch lectures for extended periods of time 

• What will the virtual format be like?

  Connecting with classmates and Tuck faculty, staff, and MBA students is central to Bridge — our virtual format supports this through group team-building activities and dedicated time with faculty, alumni, and current MBA students.

• What will a typical day at Virtual Bridge look like?

  The virtual curriculum covers the same business topics as the residential program, delivered through live (synchronous) sessions plus asynchronous readings and assignments. Time commitment and attendance requirements are the same as the residential program (see "What is the time commitment?" above); the virtual January session runs 6 days a week, all times Eastern.

  January schedule:

  9-10am ET: Suggested Study/Capstone Time
  10am–1:15 pm: Morning classes (with AM break)
  1:30-2:30 pm: Lunch Break and Career Development Programs
  2:45-6 pm: Afternoon classes (with PM break)
  6–8 pm: Study Group meetings/Capstone work

  View a sample virtual program schedule

• How will I interact with the Bridge MBA Fellows and faculty?

  Bridge Fellows — Tuck MBA teaching assistants — manage study groups, serve as content experts, and mentor students through coursework and the workload, while supporting faculty with class organization and evaluation. See Life at Bridge for more detail.

  Live faculty-led classes include time for questions and discussion, and students also interact with faculty during labs held throughout the program.

• How will career aspects of the program take place virtually?

  Business Bridge continues to collaborate with the Tuck Career Development team to deliver content in both industry exploration and skill development, and with corporate partners on alumni panels and distribution of the Bridge resume book.. Our Tuck MBA Career Development Advisors offer resume reviews, mock interviews, and general career guidance for Bridge participants.

• Will the capstone project be included in Virtual Bridge?

  Yes — working in study groups, students select a publicly traded company, analyze it using skills learned in class, and present their findings to professionals and Tuck faculty at the end of the program. Teams work closely with a designated Bridge MBA Fellows throughout. Read more about the capstone project.
   

• Will I be assigned a study group?

  Yes — study groups are central to Bridge. You'll work with your group on class assignments and the capstone project, meeting regularly with your assigned Bridge Fellow via Zoom.