DESCRIPTION

Low ratio makes B-schools seek more female students

LOW RATIO MAKES B-SCHOOLS SEEK MORE FEMALE STUDENTS

For the incoming 2016-2017 classes at graduate business programmes across the globe women represent 44 per cent of the total applicant pool compared to 56 per cent for men, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s Application Trends survey.

The global average over the past five years for the full-time two year MBA programme is 37 per cent. This persistent gap leaves women under-represented not only in the classrooms but in boardrooms worldwide.

However, the Women in the Workplace 2016 study conducted by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey finds low women ratio at every level in the corporate pipeline from entry to managerial to c-suite to board level. Additionally, when asking for promotions or a raise they are more likely to receive push-back compared to their male counter-parts.

Business schools are sensitive of this gender gap, and are looking to build a strong base of qualified female applicants. Studies have found that getting an MBA can dramatically impact a women’s pay and position within their industry and organization and women with their MBA see pay gains of 55-65 per cent of their pre-MBA salary within five years of graduation.

Women networking groups

A large number of colleges on campus have clubs and organizations catering specifically to women and providing them access to training, or encouragement they need including the Women in Business Club or Women in Leadership Club. The Forte Foundation, a nonprofit consortium of top global business schools and leading companies was founded to enable women access to an MBA degree, business opportunities and successful career paths through information, networking and scholarships.

Financial Aid

Business schools are providing tuition waivers and launching scholarships specifically targeting high-calibre female candidates, hoping to ease some of the barriers to entry they may be facing. For example, IESE has family scholarships for deserving students with families. INSEAD has the alumni fund women’s scholarship that looks to bring outstanding women professionals to the MBA programme and to increase representation of women in leadership positions in the business community.

Programme enhancements

In addition to the support groups, including hiring full-time female faculty and advisors, connecting female alumni with female students, and even offering course flexibility through evening, weekend and online programs for women who have children or other family commitments.

(The writer, Vibha Kagzi is the founder and CEO of ReachIvy, a consultant and career guidance firm)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

ReachIvy is a premium education and career advisory that helps aspiring students get accepted into top tier educational institutions globally. We have successful admits at MIT, Columbia, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics, University of Michigan, Oxford, University of Chicago amongst others.

Vibha Kagzi, Founder and CEO, ReachIvy, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science from Carnegie Mellon University. She has also pursued courses at the University of California, Berkeley, the London School of Economics and the Indian School of Business.

Our global team of counsellors have also acquired their degrees from premier institutes and are passionate about sharing their experiences with students worldwide.