Growing up in rural Kentucky, Harvard Business School (HBS) felt like a different universe. In my hometown, a small town of 4,000 people, the concept of an MBA was as foreign as the idea of leaving Kentucky. Coming from a low-income, single-parent household, higher education, let alone an elite institution like HBS, wasn’t in my immediate line of sight. No one in my family had ever attended college, and the possibilities seemed limited to what I saw around me.
Years later, while in my final year at Vanderbilt University, the thought of graduate school began to surface. I had a promising job offer in Miami with Restaurant Brands International, but I felt a pull for something more. That’s when I first learned about the 2+2 program at HBS and the Career Forward Fellowship Program. Honestly, acceptance felt impossible, and affording it seemed even more so. As an English major who only later discovered a passion for business, I didn’t see myself fitting the mold of a typical HBS student. However, encouraged by mentors, I applied, a decision that changed my life.
The acceptance notification arrived while I was at LAX airport – not the ideal location, but the news was incredible. Harvard Business School had chosen me! Overwhelming joy was quickly followed by a wave of financial anxiety. My undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt was fully funded by a scholarship, and I had always worked to support myself and my family without incurring debt. The cost of an MBA and the concept of student loans were daunting unknowns.
Thankfully, the HBS Financial Aid office proved to be an invaluable resource. Through numerous questions and conversations, I learned about the various financial aid opportunities available, including the game-changing Career Forward Fellowship Program. This fellowship is specifically designed to support students like me, those from backgrounds with significant financial constraints that make an MBA seem unattainable. Discovering the Career Forward Fellowship Program brought immense relief. It wasn’t just financial assistance; it was the realization that there was a community of students at HBS with similar backgrounds and journeys. While our stories and appearances might differ, the underlying experiences resonated deeply.
Being a recipient of both need-based financial aid and the Career Forward Fellowship has been transformative. More than just financial support, it provided a sense of belonging and community. My background, once a source of insecurity, is now a badge of honor at HBS. I proudly represent Kentucky in every conversation and even co-founded The Heartland Club on campus to promote understanding and empathy for rural America. Post-graduation, I am excited to join Amazon Web Services in Seattle as a Sr. Product Manager. My journey from rural Kentucky to Harvard Business School was improbable, but the Career Forward Fellowship Program didn’t just open doors; it paved the way, proving that HBS is a place for diverse stories and backgrounds, and that is what makes it truly exceptional.
