Did you know that globally only 41% of MBA graduates are women? 41% is already a huge improvement over the last five years. However, the gender balance in MBA programs still lags compared to other graduate programs including medical and law school. This is why it is important that business schools continue partnering to support women in business.
Did you know that only 6% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women? And only 28% of S&P 500 board members are women? In the last year the COVID-19 pandemic has hit women especially hard, causing many to make difficult tradeoffs.
IMD has striven to close the gender gap in our MBA program, encouraging high numbers of qualified female candidates to apply. Yet during the pandemic it is seemingly more difficult for women to take the risk of a year out of work, and many students had to decline their offers.
Since 2018 IMD has partnered with the Forte Foundation to change all of this. The mission of the Forte Foundation is to “launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development, and a community of successful women.”
The Forte Scholarship @IMD
The Forte Foundation has supported over 10,000 women MBA students to date. Through their partnership, IMD is able to award a scholarship to the best female all-around applicant in both the February and May admission rounds.
We (Frances and Emma) are thrilled and honored to have received this award in 2021. Throughout the year, Forte has supported us with valuable networking events, informative webinars, and job search resources. We are connected to women all over the world through Forte.
The obstacles women face throughout our careers are unique. Forte understands that financial assets is only one of them. Through support, mentorship, and resources, we can further break these barriers.
If you are interested in being the next IMD Forte Foundation scholar, apply for your MBA in February or May! All female candidates in these rounds will be considered. We know that you have the potential to be great, and we can’t wait to welcome you to the IMD-Forte community!
