B-School Partners Ask: “What’s in It for Us?”

FROM A FOCUS ON US TO A FOCUS ON HIM OR HER.

Partners find that it is difficult during the first year in particular as the focus shifts almost exclusively to the student and his/her objectives. As a result, “We do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible for both the student and partner,” says Jones.

So, what are the top B-schools doing to cater to MBA partners?

Meet Alexandra Acker-Lyons, wife of a second year Wharton student. Acker-Lyons and husband, Jonathan Lyons, left Washington D.C. shortly after learning of his acceptance into Wharton. Although the timing was perfect because she was ending one job and seeking employment elsewhere, the move to Philadelphia was somewhat intimidating.

“It was an adjustment for us,” says Acker-Lyons who remembers going from two household incomes to none yet having a hefty tuition bill to help pay. She didn’t start a new job until two months into his first semester so weekly budgeting was critical for the couple who opted to live off campus.

But the toughest adjustment was coming up with an agenda-setting method that was mutually acceptable for the two. Different couples use different systems. As for the Lyons’, “We use a calendar system.” The couple will send each other calendar e-vites for date nights or fun activities with other student/partner pairs. The calendar technique also allows Mr. and

Mrs. Lyons to remain cognizant of each others’ work schedules and academic priorities.

Although the couple has been using the system for over a year, they still managed to doublebook their calendar as recently as last week. “No matter how perfect a system you come up with, things will inevitably slip through the cracks,” says Acker-Lyons.

She laughs as she recounts last week’s scheduling conflict: “I told you about it five days ago,” she said to her husband.

His reply: “But you didn’t send me a calendar item.”

Thanks to the Wharton Partners Club (see our sidebar on partner organizations at other top schools), an organization made up of 200 spouses and partners of Wharton MBA students, Acker-Lyons gained an instant support group and made friends before her husband even set foot in the classroom. “While Jonathan was busy with pre-term activities, I had dozens of functions to attend with the other partners. I immediately had a core group of people with whom I could bond and gain valuable insight on how to adjust to this new lifestyle; everything from the ups and downs of being an MBA spouse to recommendations for doctors in the area.”

A BUDDY SYSTEM FOR MBA PARTNERS.

But Wharton Partners functions as more than a buddy system for MBA partners. More often than not, the partner is just as much a Type A personality as the student. To this end, the club provides resume review services for first year partners and a comprehensive job bank for those seeking employment in the Philadelphia region. Likewise, partners are free to join any of the 100+ Wharton Clubs, attend any of the 18 student-run conferences, and attend all social events.

“Wharton has done an incredible job of opening things up to us,” says Nicole Barsalona Tonelli, wife of a second year student. Tonelli serves as the Wharton Partners Club co-president alongside Acker-Lyons. “You essentially become a student, but without the academic work.”

Tonelli’s depiction is far from an overstatement. While the Wharton class is divided into 12 cohorts, groups A through L, “Wharton partners are affectionately known as Cohort P,” says Jones, the deputy vice dean. The perks extended to the partners’ cohort go well beyond the business school, permeating the entire campus. All student organizations, social clubs, and facilities are available to significant others, allowing them to interact with the students and build their own peer networks.