BABSON COLLEGE
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
BABSON COLLEGE
LUTHER UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION CENTER, BABSON PARK, MA 02457 • ADMISSIONS: 781-239-5522 • FAX: 781-239-4135
FINANCIAL AID: 781-239-4219 • E-MAIL: UGRADADMISSION@BABSON.EDU • WEEBSITE: WWW.BABSON.EDU
STUDENTS SAY
Academics
If you already know anything about Babson, you probably know that at this small school in the suburbs of Boston, “everything is related to business. So if you don’t like business, you should not even think about coming here.” Indeed Babson has one of the best known and most respected undergraduate business programs in the country It begins with the Foundations of Management am Entrepreneurship (FME) freshman year, during which students work in group: to conceive and launch a (hopefully) profitable small business. This segues into the sophomore year in which students participate in an integrated experience that includes instruction in core business disciplines like accounting, marketin8 and finance, among others. By nearly all accounts the curriculum is extremely challenging, and the severe grade curve based on an average of 2.7 comes as shock to some. But most students feel that although “the homework tends to b a lot compared to most of my friends at other business schools.. . we receive better education.” In large part that’s because “Many of the professors have started or still run very successful companies,” and they share their invaluable “industry experience” in the classroom. At least business professors do. “The liberal arts teachers vary a lot more in quality.” By and large, the administration receives average marks, but most students don’t focus on any administrative shortcomings. “At the end of the day, if you want to be a successful entrepreneur or business person, Babson is the best place for you.”
Life
The “business boot camp” that is Babson is not known for its social life. Dunn8 the week, “People are consumed by work, and are constantly concentrating or their future. On the weekends people socialize a lot because they need a break from the stress of the week.” The student body splinters into distinct factions when it’s time to unwind: “American kids typically party on campus more often, the athletes will party together, frats do their thing, and the international rich kids go in town and are scarce on the weekends since they live at the clubs in Boston.” Some undergrads cross-pollinate groups, of course, but these are generally where the lines are drawn. Students who choose to party on campus, however, are well aware that “the campus police [referred to locally as ‘Babo’] and Office of Campus Life take a strong stance against parties and alcohol” and that Babo is quite adept at breaking up unauthorized get-togethers. School- sanctioned on-campus activities include “‘Knight Parties’ on one Saturday night during each month (a club-like atmosphere with a DJ, dancing, and lots of free food and drinks, and beer for 2l-year-olds).” Additionally, “The on- campus pub is fun and a common hangout for upperclassmen.” For those who feel the lure of Boston, a car definitely makes getting there easier, but “The school also offers a bus that runs into Boston on the weekends for students.”
Student Body
At this small business school where “Professionalism is a part of your grade,” a “typical student is pretty well off, dressed well no matter what their style Is, and pretty intelligent on business and similar subjects.” Given its business focus, some students speculate that “Babson is probably the only school in
Massachusetts where Republicans are in the majority.” Noticeable cliques include the BISOs (Babson International Students), the athletes, and the Greeks, but regardless of the groups students fall Into, nearly all c/them constantly think about the next great business idea, internship, or great job at firms like Lehman Brothers, KPMG, Ernst & Young, etc.” It should come as no surprise, then, that “we are short on hippies, punks, and extreme liberals. If you fall into those categories, people will still accept you, but eventually you’ll probably want to strangle the rest of us and will transfer!’ No matter what you start out as, the consensus seems to be that 4 years of “Babson will transform you from a driven/motivated individual into a lethal business machine.”
ADMINSSIONS
Very important factors considered include: Academic CPA, application essay, character/personal qualities, recommendation(s), rigor of secondary school record, standardized test scores. Important factors considered include: Class rank, extracurricular activities. Other factors considered include: Alunmi/ae relation, first generation, geographical residence, interview, level of applicant’s interest, racial/ethnic status, state residency, talent/ability, volunteer work, work experience. SAT or ACT required; SAT and SAT Subject Tests or ACT recommended; ACT with Writing component required. TOEFL required of all international applicants. High school diploma is required, and GED is accepted. Academic units recommended: 4 English, 4 math, 4 science (3 science labs), 4 foreign language, 2 social studies, 2 Master 1 precalculus.
The Inside Word
Though Babson offers a unique educational opportunity their admissions practices are as traditional as they come. Personal qualities and extracurricular activities are taken into consideration, but the best way to impress a Babson Admissions Officer is through strong academic performance. Both scholastic rigor and the demonstration of intellectual curiosity are extremely important. Additionally, applicants will want to focus on their essay—writing ability is viewed as vital at Babson.
FINANCIAL AID
Students should submit: FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, Noncustodial PROFILE, Business/Farm Supplement, Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2s and Verification Worksheet. Regular filing deadline is February 15. The Princeton Review suggests that all financial aid forms be submitted as soon as possible after January 1. Need-based scholarships/grants offered: Pell Grant, SEOG, state scholarships/grants, the school’s own gift aid. Loan aid offered: FFEL Subsidized Stafford, FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford, FFEL PLUS, Federal Perkins Loan, state loans. Applicants will be notified of awards on or about April 1.
FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
“In addition to theoretical knowledge, Babson College is dedicated to providing its students with hands-on business experience. The Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship (FMF) and Management Consulting Field Experience (MCFE) are two prime examples of this commitment. During the FME, all freshmen are placed into groups of 30 and actually create their own businesses that they operate until the end of the academic year. The profits of each FME business are then donated to the charity of each group’s choice. “MCFE offers upperclassmen the unique and exciting opportunity to work as actual consultants for private companies and/or nonprofit organizations in small groups of three to five. Students receive academic credit for their work as well as invaluable experience in the field of consulting. FME and MCFE are just two of the ways Babson strives to produce business leaders with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
“Babson College requires freshmen applicants to submit scores from either the new SAT or the ACT with Writing component. The school recommends that students also submit results from SAT Subject Tests.”
