Clubs, Organizations, Institutes

Top MBA programs are built around top instructors, however well rounded MBA programs also provide a full range of services, such as Career services, networking, and clubs, organizations, and institutes. While certainly the quality of the instructors do matter quite a bit in differentiaing the top MBA programs, it is these other services that create a superior program that is able to attract the best students and distinguish themselves from other programs.

Online MBA programs have to date focused on the first issue by integrating online programs into already well established MBA programs, giving online students the same access to great faculty that on campus students receive. The Kelley Direct program has done this, by attaching the online program to the Kelley School of Business name, providing access to the great faculty at the Kelley School, and aligning the online program with the Bloomington Campus.

Kelley Direct, and the other top online MBA programs, however has only provided minimal services when it comes to the "other services". Career services, networking, clubs, organizations, institutes are not very well done in online MBA programs currently, and it quite possibly will be awhile for the schools begin to truly address these areas.

The full-time, on campus Kelley MBA program allows students the opportunites to participate in great programs such as the Leadership Development Institute, Bloomington Brands, Investment Banking Academy, and Consulting Academy. These programs, or similar, are not currently available to online students. This is primarly due to the nature of these programs, and historically the interests and intent of the students who attend an online MBA. However, if the composition of online students begin to closely resemble those of on campus students, the online students will suffer due to the lack of these programs.

I have setout to try to identify programs, groups, etc. that online students at the top MBA programs can participate in. I am looking for those opportunities that allow an MBA student to network, interact, or associate with other MBA students, wether at the same University or across multiple Universities.. Needless to say, my search is coming up a bit short, as most of these programs are geared at specific schools or programs.

The Washington Campus program is one that I have found. This program is a week long residency in Washington, DC with students from multiple MBA programs. It allows these students to visit federal agencies, interact with federal policy makers, and a congressional decision making simulation. It is offered multiple times per year.


The other group I have came across that seems to be open to online MBA students is Net Impact. This is a non-profit group that focuses on using business to improve the world. They have local chapters for the major universities as well as they have annual conferences. I am not sure on how an online student fits into this model, however it does seem available. I would welcome any comments for anyone familiar with this group.