Forté MBA
fellowships
More Women Earning MBAs
Claim your seat at the table.
Forté Fellowships are prestigious, competitive awards that are recognized within the business school community and beyond. Forté Fellows exhibit exemplary leadership, represent diverse backgrounds, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing women in business — all of which aligns with Forté's mission.
Our partner business schools have awarded
-
$475M
Forté Fellowships awarded to MBA students -
19,000+
Forté Fellows
If you would like to be considered for a Forté Fellowship, you must first submit an MBA application to a participating school. All schools grant awards for full-time students. Part-time and executive awards are available at select schools. If you are interested in learning more about the Forté Fellowship program at any of our partner schools, please contact an admissions representative.
Forté Fellowship Selection
It is up to each individual school to decide who will represent them as Forté Fellows. The process is:
- Student applies to Forté partner business school
- Student receives an offer of admission into Forté partner school's MBA program
- Student receives consideration for all scholarship opportunities through that institution
- Partner school selects its Forté Fellows
- Partner school notifies Forté of its selections
Note: Students of all nationalities and gender identities are eligible for consideration.
Forté Fellowship Benefits
What can you hope to gain with a Forté Fellowship? Besides the financial benefits, there is automatic access to our resources, immediate exposure to leading companies in the Forté network, and connection to a network of Fellows that extends beyond your business school.
There are additional ways you will benefit from being a part of the Forté community:
- Participation in Forté's' MBA Women's Leadership and MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conferences
- Network with lead executives and MBA students from Forté partner schools
- Hear panel discussions from corporate partners and MBA alumni
- Attend workshops that foster professional and personal development
- Access to an online networking community for Forté Fellows and Fellows alumni
- Inclusion in the Forté Fellows resume book, which is distributed each year to Forté partner companies
- Special invitations for job openings and leadership programs at Forté partner companies
- Lifetime access to Forté's online event series — including career, professional, and leadership development topics — and access to our library of on-demand recordings
- Mentoring and special opportunities to connect with other Fellows and Forté representatives
at your school - Leadership development opportunities through your role in planning your school's Forté outreach program to undergraduates
- Access to Forté Fellows LinkedIn and Facebook groups
Forté Fellow Expectations
Forté Fellows are expected to further Forté's mission on campus and engage in Forté's pipeline initiatives. Below are examples of campus opportunities.
Further the Forté Mission at Your School
- Membership and/or leadership in school clubs and societies dedicated to advancing women in business, including representation in the Women in Business and/or Men as Allies clubs
- Serve as a Forté MBA Ambassador and be a voice for Forté on your campus
- Work with the Admissions Office to expand awareness and access to the MBA
Engage in Forté Programs
- Participate in Forté’s undergraduate and MBA prep initiatives
- Outreach to undergraduates on your campus (i.e. mentor program)
- Attend undergraduate career events and host a Forté table on campus
- Serve as a Forté MBALaunch expert or advisor
- Promote the Forté MBA Forums to your network, represent your school at Forums in your area, and/or volunteer with Forté to help with onsite event logistics
- Serve as an ambassador to your summer internship employer
School Criteria for Awarding Forté Fellowships
While Forté partner schools are responsible for selecting and awarding Forté Fellowships, Forté asks that the following qualifications be considered as part of each school's criteria:
- Exhibit exemplary leadership in one or more of the following: academic leadership, team leadership, community leadership, and creative leadership
- Represent a range of personal, educational, and professional backgrounds as well as varied career goals.
- MBA degree candidate at Forté partner school (full-time, part-time, executive programs, dual degree, or online programs)
- Demonstrate a commitment to Forté’s mission of launching women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, opportunities, and a community of successful women
- Additional requirements may be set by individual schools (for example, alignment with school’s mission or core values)
Forté Fellows Profile
| Class of 2026 | Class of 2025 | Class of 2024 | |
| 1,874 reporting | 1,496 reporting | 1,757 reporting | |
| Citizenship | U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents (56%) Other Countries (44%) |
U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents (55%) Other Countries (45%) |
U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents (54%) Other Countries (46%) |
| Average GMAT | 697 | 712 | 703 |
| Average GPA | 3.6 | 3.61 | 3.61 |
| Average Years Work Experience | 6.3 | 6.46 | 5.99 |
| Ethnicity | American Indian/Alaskan Native (0.10%) Asian/Pacific Islander (21%) Black, African American (10%) Hispanic/Latinx (9%) Multiracial or Multiethnic (5%) White, not of Hispanic origin (46%) Other (1%) |
American Indian/Alaskan Native (0.49%) Asian/Pacific Islander (21%) Black, African American (9%) Hispanic/Latinx (9%) Multiracial or Multiethnic (6%) White, not of Hispanic origin (47%) Other (1%) |
American Indian/Alaskan Native (0.42%) Asian/Pacific Islander (19%) Black, African American (11%) Hispanic/Latinx (11%) Multiracial or Multiethnic (5%) White, not of Hispanic origin (42%) Other (1%) |
| Undergraduate Major | Business (28%) Economics (12%) Engineering (17%) Humanities/Social Science (10%) Information Systems/Computer Science (4%) Mathematics/Physical Science (7%) Other (23%) |
Business (29%) Economics (11%) Engineering (17%) Humanities/Social Science (9%) Information Systems/Computer Science (5%) Mathematics/Physical Science (6%) Other (23%) |
Business (28%) Economics (13%) Engineering (17%) Humanities/Social Sciences (10%) Information Systems/Computer Science (3%) Mathematics/Physical Science (8%) Other (20%) |
Resources for MBA Fellows
GET STARTED
Congratulations on being selected as a Forté Fellow! We are thrilled you are being recognized for your exemplary leadership, unique background, and commitment to advancing women in business.
Your Forté Fellowship will help you claim your seat at the table. As a Forté Fellow, you’ll gain exposure to leading companies and join a network of peers at top business schools across the United States, Canada, and Europe. We look forward to championing your success during business school (and beyond)!
Step 1: Complete Forté Fellow Registration [Mandatory] | Deadline: 2025 registration form coming soon
Incoming Forté Fellows must complete this action no later than Oct. 15, 2025, in order to receive their organizational benefits and to be recognized as a Forté Fellow after graduation.
Step 2: Claim Your MBA Student Professional Access Pass
Gain access to webinars, conferences, programs, and Job Alerts through your MBA Student Professional Access Pass. Many of the other Forté resources do require you to sign up for this free Forté membership to gain access.
Step 3: Upload Your Résumé to the Forté Job Center
As a Forté Fellow, you are invited to participate in an exclusive resume book, which is distributed each fall to Forté partner companies. You will do this by submitting your resume to the Forté Job Center, which allows you to customize your job search and access job postings from Fortune 500 companies. You need to claim your MBA Student Professional Access Pass in order to access the system.
Step 4: Join the Forté Fellows LinkedIn Group
Join the conversation with your peers and start building your professional network before business school even starts. You need to complete the Forté Fellow Registration in order to be admitted to the LinkedIn Group. (Already submitted your Fellow Registration, check your email for the link to join the LinkedIn group.) Be sure to add Forté Fellowship to your Linkedin page – view instructions for updating your LinkedIn page.
LOOK AHEAD
Forté is here to support you throughout your business school journey. Join your peers for these events and activities over the next academic year. Keep in mind that online events and workshops will be ongoing throughout this time – watch your email for more information or sign up for an upcoming session on the Forté Event Calendar.
Fall 2025
Register for the Fall MBA Women’s Virtual Leadership Conference | 2025 Details Coming Soon
Learn from the unique perspectives and experiences of highly-successful women in business – all of whom will share their industry insights on pressing topics in management and leadership. You will also have access to representatives from Forté corporate partners looking to connect with high-potential MBA students (like you) during the Virtual Career Expo.
Nominate a Peer (or Yourself) for the Edie Hunt Inspiration Award | 2025 Details Coming Soon
Named in honor of Forté’s Board Chair Emeritus, Edie Hunt, this annual recognition celebrates the impact of impressive MBA students who have made contributions to their school or community to advance women in business leadership. Winners will be announced at the MBA Women’s Leadership Conference.
Winter 2025
Volunteer with the Forté Early Career Team
Forté’s MBA prep programs, including Forté MBALaunch, support aspiring MBA candidates as they navigate the nuanced complexity of the MBA application process. Help the next generation of women business leaders by volunteering your time at upcoming events as a speaker, mentor, or advisor. Any Fellows are welcome to volunteer. Please email premba@fortefoundation.org for more information.
Spring 2026 and Beyond
Attend a Summer Meet Up | Summer 2026
These events are meant to provide a space for members of the Forté community to engage, network, and connect. Please contact Toni Phelan, MBA Program Manager with any questions.
CONTACT US
Please don’t hesitate to contact the MBA Programs Team with any questions now or in the future.
Support Gender Equality
When you help launch another woman into a business career, you change the balance of power in the workplace.
