Forté Foundation MBA Fellowship Video Questions: Format, Strategy & Preparation Guide (2026)

What is the Forté Foundation Fellowship Video Assessment?

The Forté Foundation Fellowship video assessment is typically part of an MBA program’s scholarship selection process rather than a standalone application. Candidates are usually invited by participating member schools—such as INSEAD, London Business School, Yale SOM, Imperial College Business School, and others—after submitting their main MBA application.

Forté Fellowships are awarded to candidates who show a combination of strong leadership potential, academic excellence, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing women in business. In a global MBA landscape where female students now account for 40% of high-ranked full-time MBA programs, schools increasingly look for candidates who can actively contribute to and amplify women-in-business initiatives on campus.

In practice, this video is less about “why an MBA” and more about whether you will become a visible contributor to the Forté mission throughout your MBA experience and beyond.

To explore the broader admissions context, see our MBA rankings guide or our overview of MBA video interview formats.

Why Schools Use the Forté Video Assessment

Forté Fellowships are highly selective and go beyond academic metrics. Schools use the video assessment to understand how you show up as a future leader and community contributor.

• Leadership potential: Evidence that you can influence others and drive outcomes, even without formal authority.
• Communication under pressure: Clear, structured thinking in a timed, unscripted format.
• Commitment to inclusion: Real actions—not intentions—supporting or mentoring women in professional settings.

Most assessments are delivered via Kira Talent, meaning you will have limited preparation time and only one recording attempt per question. The focus is authenticity, clarity, and structure—not memorization.

Forté MBA Video Assessment Format (2026)

While details vary by school, most Forté-related assessments follow a consistent Kira Talent structure:

• Video Questions: 2–3 behavioral or motivational prompts
• Preparation Time: 30–60 seconds per question
• Response Time: 60–90 seconds per answer
• Written Component: Occasionally a 10-minute short response (~250 words)
• Attempts: One official recording, with unlimited practice mode beforehand

Key Insight: Forté doesn’t just evaluate leadership—it looks for “multipliers,” people who actively create opportunities for others to succeed alongside them.

How to Succeed in the Forté Fellowship Video Essay

1. Focus on leadership without authority
The strongest answers show influence without relying on titles. Think mentoring, peer support, cross-functional alignment, or moments where you improved outcomes for others through initiative.

2. Be specific about impact on women in business
General statements about diversity are not enough. Highlight concrete actions—mentoring, sponsorship, advocating for fair processes, or supporting female colleagues’ career growth.

3. Use a tight STAR structure
With 90 seconds, efficiency matters. Aim for roughly 20% Situation, 60% Action, and 20% Result. The “Action” should clearly show your decision-making and personal contribution. You can refine this approach using our MBA interview preparation guide.

4. Project calm executive presence
Forté Fellows often represent their schools at conferences, employer events, and leadership forums. Speak clearly, avoid rushing, maintain eye contact with the camera, and present yourself as someone people would trust in a leadership role.

Forté MBA Sample Video Questions (2026)

These prompts reflect the types of leadership, values, and impact questions commonly used in Forté-aligned Kira Talent assessments.

Mission & Advocacy

• “Why is the Forté Foundation’s mission personally meaningful to you, and how will you contribute to it during your MBA?”
• “Describe a time you actively supported inclusion or diversity in your workplace or community.”
• “How have you contributed to the professional growth of women in your organization?”

Leadership & Influence

• “Tell us about a time you led a team through disagreement while maintaining alignment and trust.”
• “Describe a situation where you influenced senior stakeholders to adopt your recommendation.”
• “What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about leading diverse teams?”

MBA Contribution

• “How will you contribute to your school’s Women in Business or Forté community as a Fellow?”
• “What unique perspective will you bring to classroom discussions?”
• “How will your MBA help you advance women in your target industry?”