QS Scholarship Winner: Helping Develop Minority Leaders through Sport

The cause of FC Harlem is one which resonates strongly with Gaines because its members are overwhelmingly of minority origin. The underrepresentation of minority leaders in US business is something, she says, that has been apparent in her career to date, particularly at executive level. However, the HBS MBA notes that, "there is an increasing awareness by businesses around the country about the importance of diversity, including its ability to make their companies more profitable. There are many organizations such as MLT (Management Leadership for Tomorrow), Jumpstart, and The Consortium (for Graduate Study in Management), that partner with major US corporations to identify and introduce exceptional minority candidates to corporations to help resolve this problem,” she adds.

This level of optimism is matched by Gaines' pleasure in hearing about the classroom diversity that awaits her in the HBS MBA program. "I saw a report a few days ago that stated that the incoming HBS class of 2018 has students hailing from 69 countries!” she says, referencing the school’s preliminary figures. “That is incredible and says so much about the recruiting efforts of the school.” One concern she holds, however, relates to the MBA admissions process and, in particular, the GMAT:

"Research continues to show that there is a positive correlation between socioeconomic status and successful GMAT scores. Given the critical importance of the GMAT in the business school admissions process, there is an opportunity for business schools to increase exposure to the GMAT to prospective students in lower socioeconomic groups." Indeed, the wider problem afflicting the presence of those of lower socioeconomic status in higher education and, in addition, minority leaders in business, as Gaines sees it, is one of access – “access to the networks, resources and money, which act as admission tickets to these areas."

Having worked in the fashion industry for five years, Gaines is enrolling in an MBA program to help attain her long-term goal of starting and running her own business. "Earning an MBA will provide the necessary skills such as finance, accounting, and people management that will enable me to achieve my vision." 

When you consider the importance Gaines places in hard work, perseverance and teamwork, it is perhaps no surprise to learn that she's looking forward to the rigors of an MBA program, such as that on offer at Harvard Business School: "That is really what I’m most excited about – the challenge. The challenge of living in a new city, meeting so many different people from different cultural, professional and educational backgrounds, and of course, the challenge of gaining a business foundation with some of the smartest minds in the world."  

And what course might a former student-athlete and seasoned soccer player be particularly looking forward to taking in the HBS MBA? Yes, you've guessed it. That course is FIELD. (You can read more about what two class of 2017 students of the school got up to on this portion of the MBA program at Harvard by following this link.)   

Advice for other MBA scholarship applicants:

"Start your scholarship application process as soon as your business school applications are submitted! I started my scholarship search after I made the decision of which school I would attend and I quickly became aware that most MBA scholarship applications require at least one essay and that the questions are similar to the essay questions on business school applications. They require time, thought and a lot of editing. As soon as you submit your last business school application, pat yourself on the back and be proud of yourself, but don’t get too comfortable. If you plan on securing some financial assistance, remain in essay mode!"