Pathways to Business School for Women

• In Event: 53.081 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 53.081-19 - Research on Women and Higher Education

Abstract

While professional graduate programs are enrolling men and women in equal numbers, female MBA enrollment numbers lag behind. Many factors may influence a woman’s decision to return to school for an MBA degree. The complex decision to accept a specific university’s offer often includes location, return on investment, and the reputation of the institution. This study examines the decision making process of women who were admitted into a full-time MBA program as to why they applied to and then chose or declined a particular school’s offer of admission. Data analysis resulted in six themes common across all participants. Implications for professional practice, including what educators can do to make the MBA path an attractive option for women, are offered.

Author

• Paula Steisel Goldfarb, New York University