London: the EU's biggest metropolis; the world's most-visited tourist destination and home to the busiest international airport system. You may feel overwhelmed by the tube and the traffic, but no one can deny there's a positive buzz to the city, particularly in the wake of the recent Olympics.
It's mid-winter, unusually snowy and many London city workers are attempting 'dry-January', a post-festive month of alcohol abstinence. Overcoming these minor obstacles (and armed with a glass of white wine) I make my way into a plush conference room buried in the depths of Goldman Sachs' Fleet Street offices to meet young female MBA aspirants and business schools from across the US and Europe.
Organised by the Forté Foundation, an American non-profit promoting women at business school, this was a Monday evening gathering of serious alpha ladies, looking to push their career up a gear in 2013.Some of the attendees included a JP Morgan analyst and forensic fraud specialist - read more about these MBA applicants and the impressive speaker panel here.
More than twenty business schools were present, including Duke's Fuqua School of Business, The University of Chicago Booth and HEC Paris. We spoke to some of the school representatives - a mixture of Admissions managers and London-based alumni - to find out why they are targeting females in London. These were some of the responses:
Sabrina Washington, a Risk Management VP at Citigroup and alumnus of UNC's Kenan Flagler MBA, thinks London has a "wonderful aggregation of people from all over the world" and that it's important to remember the "US is not the center of the universe!"
Yale SOM's Admissions Director Michelle Beck is always keen to see more European MBA applicants, it's important for the "diversity of the classroom" and the "global focus of the school".
Diversity was also highlighted by Stephanie Brookes, Regional Programme Manager at Duke's Fuqua School of Business and by Prathima Baron, MBA alumnus of Darden - both feel that London is home to high caliber females with an "international outlook".
Teresa Pires flying the only Canadian flag, for the Queen's School of Business, felt that London provided a slightly higher standard of female applicant. This resonates with data from the Graduate Management Admission Council: the average GMAT score for UK female test takers in 2012 was 565 - the highest for females in Europe and well above the average global female score of 536.
Last year, 36% of the UK's 4,237 GMAT test takers were women.
Girl-power aside, what else did the b-schools like about London? Tepper MBAs Jackie Colorado and Wendy Chan have both been in London for a couple of years after stints in New York. They love London for it's proximity to other European countries and the multi-cultural work environments. They also think London is slightly "slower pace than NYC".
Kate Mescal, a Ross MBA and another ex-New Yorker, thinks London is "clean and easy-to-navigate" compared to the Big Apple.
Elisa Nieto, representing Chicago Booth's Executive MBA loves the 'energy of London' and Benjamin Vedrenne-Cloquet (a token man in the room!) from Babson's MBA is a fan of the "British sense of humour and ale".
You can read more information about the Forté Foundation and their MBA events here.
Other related articles on BusinessBecause include: MBA Scholarships for Women, UCLA's Women in Business Club and London's Dominance Of The UK Economy.
Female MBA hopefuls gather at the business school stands to ask questions
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
Diversity
The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life
Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty.
What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth.
Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.
