The Tuck Business Bridge Program: Everything You Need to Know

Exploring how Colgate students gain foundational business skills and career clarity through the Tuck Business Bridge Program.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in finance or business, or simply want to explore different possible career paths, such as consulting or marketing? The Tuck Business Bridge Program, associated with Tuck Business School, is a highly intensive three-week program designed for students eager to take courses that go beyond what is offered in the liberal arts curriculum. From courses in marketing to business communications to finance, the curriculum provides students with essential fundamentals and attracts participants of all skill levels, majors, and interests.

The first week is completed at home and consists of seven hours of modules that teach students everything they need to know about Excel to succeed in the program. Whether you have never touched a spreadsheet before or already have experience navigating Excel or similar platforms, the video modules cater to beginner and intermediate levels, teaching skills ranging from creating pivot tables to organizing large amounts of data.

After a week at home, students return to campus to complete the next two weeks. Classes run from 9 am to 5 pm in Bernstein Hall, where students stay in one classroom while the MBA professors from Dartmouth are projected onto a large screen. Some of the core curriculum courses include Introduction to Accounting and Finance Fundamentals. In these courses, you learn key skills, like walking through a 3-statement model and calculating the present and future values of cash flows. In addition to the quantitative courses, there are also marketing and business communication classes, which focus on understanding the consumer and identifying a business’s value drivers.

Although the core curriculum—along with some electives, such as consulting, venture capital, or technology in business—provides students with the fundamentals, it is the capstone group project that turns education into application.

Students are randomly assigned to smaller “capstone groups.” The goal of these groups is to, by the end of the two weeks, present a company valuation of a company of their choice. The goal is to create a clear and coherent presentation assessing whether, based on your findings, the current stock price of the company is undervalued or overvalued. The curriculum supports you in learning how to read company 10-Ks, fill out 3-statement models, and analyze company revenue and profitability. Alongside quantitative research, you also consider other factors, such as consumer sentiment or market conditions that may affect the company.

Finally, after significant work and collaboration, the final presentation is ready. This day is the most valuable and exciting. You present your slideshow to a panel of judges—alumni from a variety of industries, backgrounds, and expertise. The alumni not only provide live feedback after the presentation, but also meet with students afterward for a networking lunch.

Taylor Chen '28, a current Mathematical Economics major, says,

“It was really valuable to have alumni from both Colgate and the Bridge Program come in to see our projects. The lunch we had after the presentations was an exclusive opportunity to build early sophomore connections. The more intimate setting allowed for deeper connections that extended beyond the program. I am still in contact with some of the alumni and continue to be supported by their guidance and expertise.”

What makes the program so special and unique is that it is not just for economics majors. Sammie Pruzan '28, an Art History major and Museum Studies minor, says, “I took this course in place of taking on a minor in economics.” Some students take the program to explore career paths outside their major, while others want to gain practical business skills to complement their existing studies.

This intensive program is just that: intensive. Returning to campus early after winter break can be challenging. The workload—from in-class notes to capstone group meetings to homework assignments—can be daunting and overwhelming; however, all of it is meaningful and applicable. Throughout the program, the MBA professors are willing to meet with students at any time, and the alumni are eager to contribute as well. Whether reaching out to an alum in the industry of your group’s chosen company or someone pursuing a career you are interested in, they are excited to connect and happy to provide guidance.

The Tuck Business Bridge Program is an intensive but incredibly rewarding experience that combines rigorous coursework, hands-on application, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Whether you come from a business background or an unrelated field, the program equips you with practical skills in finance, marketing, and communication. Through the capstone project, it also strengthens students’ abilities to collaborate, problem-solve, and exercise leadership. Beyond the classroom, the connections you make—with professors, alumni, and fellow students—offer lasting support and mentorship. This program is for anyone curious about exploring business or preparing for a career in finance, consulting, or beyond, providing both the knowledge and the community to thrive.