Why an mba?

The Value of an MBA

Why get an MBA? With a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree, you get more than the opportunity to change and advance your career. You get the opportunity to change your life.

With an mba, you can:

Increase your earning potential

Advance within your current industry

Gain a powerful network of peers, mentors, and alumni

Make an impact in your community

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As part of Forté’s mission to change the balance of power in the workplace and get More Women Leading, we provide practical tools women can use to change their career trajectories and earning power. If you are interested in pursuing an MBA, our programs will help you get started.

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When Should You Apply to Business School?

Most MBA programs require that candidates have work experience prior to enrollment, but the average age and work experience in a business school classroom varies widely. You may find you are ready for business school just a couple years after your undergraduate degree, or it may make more sense for you to wait.

When do you know your application is ready? Apply when you feel your candidacy reflects your best self. Generally, that means applying as early in the application cycle as possible. Applying early, or in the first round, may increase your chances of admission, since there are more seats available. However, if you are not ready, plan to retake your GMAT, or feel rushed to complete your applications, then you should wait and apply when you feel your application is truly ready.

If you are applying in:

1+ Years

Watch Forté’s webinars to gain insights on career paths and the admissions process
Begin a self-assessment: What are your career goals; what do you really want to do? Why is an MBA important to help you reach your goals?
Start researching MBA programs
Create your budget and savings plan, and research ways to finance business school
Apply to Forté MBALaunch for application guidance every step of the way
Take a free GMAT practice exam and create a test and study timeline
Attend a Forté MBA Forum to meet with representatives from leading programs

6-12 Months

Attend a Forté MBA Forum to meet with representatives from leading programs
Visit target schools (if possible)
Start studying for the GMAT and register to take the test
Watch Forté’s MBA Prep webinars to gain insights about the application process and hear from alumni
Apply to Forté MBALaunch for application guidance every step of the way
Update your resume

6 Months or less

Attend a Forté MBA Forum to meet with representatives from leading programs
Enroll in Forté MBALaunch On Demand for application support
Identify and coordinate with people who will be writing your letters of recommendation
Complete the application materials

Want a visual timeline? We've got you! Download our MBA application timeline to stay on track.

One degree. A million benefits.

“No matter what you choose to do, an MBA helps in every decision and conversation. As women, there is still inequality, and the ability to be a strong voice at that table comes from my MBA.”

- Jessica Kapadia, MBA
2010 MBA graduate
Indiana University
(Kelley School of Business)
“To be in the roles I wanted to be in, I definitely needed the skills that the MBA was going to offer me.”

- Fahria Omar, MBA
2017 MBA graduate
University of Rochester
(Simon Business School)