For those unfamiliar with the Forte Foundation here is a brief background:
The Forte Foundation was formed in 2001 for women in business and has ties with many MBA institutes. It consists of women who have completed their MBAs, women who are pursuing and MBA and even MBA students.
I attended an event on 27th Sept 2011, a Tuesday. I drove 2.5hrs for a 3hr event just to increase my networking and have a feel of what it offers. I must say it was totally worth going. There were no surprises for me but the entire experience was exhilarating. It started with 1hr of open session with adcoms of various schools. I was starving so I wasted a good 20 mins in stuffing up only to realize later that the 40 mins were so not enough to cover all the schools I wanted to talk to. I managed to get in touch with just 4 out of, I guess, 20 schools. If you go please carry a snack bar.
Next we had alumnus from 3 different schools speak about their experiences and the hour allocated just flew by. I learnt that many females are going towards non-profit sector these days. I guess it does offer a great work-life balance for women but then I think that the female CEOs are doing good for society too, in their own way. For me volunteer work is a side activity not a job.
Well, the final hour was to talk about the MBA application process through and through. We had representatives from Harvard, Stern, Kellogg and Emory. They touched on topics such as GMAT/GPA, application essays, resumes, and recommendations. All useful, but again no surprises there.
At the end all I can say is that the event is definitely a go go event. If any of you get an opportunity to attend make sure you do. Moreover, it is free if you preregister online so nothing to lose. I have turned into a premium member of the foundation and hope to gain from it initially and maybe expand it in the future. Most schools also offer Forte Fellowships to admitted students. I know Harvard doesn't offer any monetary fellowships as it considers all its students excellent candidates capable of minting money from thin air. Another pointer: Fuqua offers a fee reduction if you attended the event and a waiver in case you are a member.
PS: I did forget to pick up the free pens they were offering. Make sure you get some, they might come in handy during campus visits.
bfn
The Forte Foundation was formed in 2001 for women in business and has ties with many MBA institutes. It consists of women who have completed their MBAs, women who are pursuing and MBA and even MBA students.
I attended an event on 27th Sept 2011, a Tuesday. I drove 2.5hrs for a 3hr event just to increase my networking and have a feel of what it offers. I must say it was totally worth going. There were no surprises for me but the entire experience was exhilarating. It started with 1hr of open session with adcoms of various schools. I was starving so I wasted a good 20 mins in stuffing up only to realize later that the 40 mins were so not enough to cover all the schools I wanted to talk to. I managed to get in touch with just 4 out of, I guess, 20 schools. If you go please carry a snack bar.
Next we had alumnus from 3 different schools speak about their experiences and the hour allocated just flew by. I learnt that many females are going towards non-profit sector these days. I guess it does offer a great work-life balance for women but then I think that the female CEOs are doing good for society too, in their own way. For me volunteer work is a side activity not a job.
Well, the final hour was to talk about the MBA application process through and through. We had representatives from Harvard, Stern, Kellogg and Emory. They touched on topics such as GMAT/GPA, application essays, resumes, and recommendations. All useful, but again no surprises there.
At the end all I can say is that the event is definitely a go go event. If any of you get an opportunity to attend make sure you do. Moreover, it is free if you preregister online so nothing to lose. I have turned into a premium member of the foundation and hope to gain from it initially and maybe expand it in the future. Most schools also offer Forte Fellowships to admitted students. I know Harvard doesn't offer any monetary fellowships as it considers all its students excellent candidates capable of minting money from thin air. Another pointer: Fuqua offers a fee reduction if you attended the event and a waiver in case you are a member.
PS: I did forget to pick up the free pens they were offering. Make sure you get some, they might come in handy during campus visits.
bfn
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