Babson College

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School Says - General Information
Babson College provides a different kind of education-where future leaders are immersed in business studies while engaging in entrepreneurial thought and action. Babson shapes leaders our world needs most: those who can envision and navigate change, understand global perspectives, and motivate teams with a common purpose to create economic and social value.

This small New England school, the nation's top ranked small business college, enrolls about 470 students each year into its freshman class, keeping the student population just under 2000. Set in beautiful Wellesley, Massachusetts, Babson's 370 acre residential campus is alive with intellectual, cultural, athletic, and social activities. About 24 percent of undergraduates are international students who represent 67 countries; students of color comprise 27 percent; and 43 percent of the Babson undergraduates are women.

Babson is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the International Association for Management Education, AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

School Says - Student Body
Babson offers students an extensive variety of student activities. These extracurriculars include 22 NCAA Division III (11 men's and 11 women's) intercollegiate athletic teams. Intramural sports are also popular student activities. More than 90 student-run clubs, organizations, and publishing opportunities are available across every interest spectrum. Some of these activities include: dance groups, theater, literary magazine, cultural groups, music ensembles, radio station, student government, student news source, the yearbook and much, much more. The school also has four fraternities and three sororities. Approximately 10 percent of students are involved in Greek life.

School Says - Academics
Babson College operates on the semester system with thirteen-week spring and fall semesters, one two-week winter session and two six-week summer sessions.

Students are required to take 50 percent liberal arts courses and 50 percent business courses. Babson offers additional academic programs including field-based learning programs, a first-year seminar, independent study, an honors program, a student-managed endowment fund and much more. Also, all students develop, launch, manage and liquidate their own businesses with money loaned by Babson during their first year as part of Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship. Students also have the opportunity to work as consultants to external organizations as part of the Management Consulting Field Experience.

School Says - Admissions
Babson College bases its acceptance of students on both academic and nonacademic factors. The academic factors include high school record, recommendations, standardized test scores, and essays. The nonacademic factors include extracurricular activities, shown leadership, character/personal qualities, volunteer work, work experience, creativity and enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute to the Babson community in meaningful ways. Graduation from secondary school is required for admission. The most competitive students have taken approximately 5 solid academic courses per year at the highest available level (Honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate). The SAT I or ACT with writing is required for admission. The TOEFL or IELTS is required for students who are nonnative English speakers. The nonrefundable application fee is $65. The application fee may be waived in cases of financial need. Please contact your school guidance office for more details on fee waivers.

Babson offers several application programs. Students may apply Early Decision (binding process), Early Action or Regular Decision. The deadline for Early Decision and Early Action is November 1. The Regular Decision Deadline is January 1. Transfer students may apply for September entrance by April 1 and for January entrance by November 1.

School Says - Campus Life
This 370-acre suburban campus is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts (population 26,650). This is the ideal charming New England town, a classic setting for a college environment. A mere 14 miles outside of Boston, students here are sure to experience the best of both worlds: the quaintness of small town life bordering the cultural and social excitement of the big city. Although Boston is accessible by means of public transportation, approximately half of all students have cars.

School Says - Cost Aid
The tuition for the 2010-11 academic year is approximately $39,040 while room and board is approximately $12,876.Babson is committed to educating students from diverse backgrounds, and we will do all we can to make it financially possible for any student to attend Babson. In 2009-2010, Babson is awarding $24 million from its own funds to undergraduate students. Federal and state grants, loans, and work-study are awarded based on financial need. Students who wish to apply for financial aid should submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and FAFSA by February 15.

Students Say - Academics
Babson is a school well suited to the age of specialization. Its business is business; if you're looking for a well-regarded undergraduate degree in business, Babson can serve your needs because the school "offers multiple opportunities for students to gear their own educations" to develop "a complete set of management skills." As one student puts it, "When I took a quick look at the curriculum, I was positive whatever I wanted to study in business could be found" at Babson. The school is best known for its emphasis on entrepreneurship; all fresh- men must undertake the school's Foundations in Management and Entrepreneurship immersion course, during which undergrads create their own startups. Those who choose to pursue the field further can jockey for space in E-Tower, a "community of 21 highly motivated entrepreneurs chosen to live together" and immerse themselves in all things entrepreneurial (similar housing options are available for students in, among others, finance and green business). Internship opportunities are abundant thanks to the school's reputation and proximity to Boston, providing students "a hands-on experience of how things work in the real world." Professors "want nothing more than to see their students learn and do well. Many...refer to themselves as 'pracademics' because they have had such amazing real-world experience from which they can draw on in the classroom. From executives of Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs who own multi-million dollar companies, the knowledge of professors at Babson is only rivaled by their desire to see students do well." Career placement services here "are really strong."

Students Say - Campus Life
Babson is in the "perfect location," "near Boston but not in it." One student explains: "We are not in the busy city life on a daily basis, but we are able to get into Boston very easily, whether it's driving, taking the T, or the Babson Shuttle that drops you off right in the center of Fanueil Hall." (The shuttle runs only on weekends.) Campus life, once considered subpar, "is definitely a lot better. [Student government] sponsors and hosts many events throughout the months to keep students entertained and involved," including "Knight Parties, where there are monthly dance parties in one of our large auditoriums" and "spring, winter, and fall weekend, where they have entertainment and bands come to the school. This year we even had Jimmy Fallon come for a comedy concert in the fall-the show was packed; it was standing room only." Students report that "A favorite hangout on a Thursday night is the pub, where there is entertainment and food. Babson [provides] supervised drinking for those of legal drinking age." The school's numerous student-run clubs "are very motivated, pro- viding diverse and educating events" such as mixers and symposia.

Students Say - Student Body
It is hard to pin-point a typical student, as Babson is so diverse, but the common thread is that "we all view business as a primary, shared strand that can link our interests and passions in order to help us make a difference in the world." Babson "is an international college. Outside of our library, there is a flag tree where the flags of different students represented on our campus are flown to show our diversity. We have students from about 64 different countries," and students "learn from each others' differences. It is one of the great pieces of knowledge we are able to pick up at Babson." The "dominant domestic students will be the preppy white boy and girl who treat their designer clothes like aprons," while "international students are mostly of Indian and Hispanic descent who do not refrain from displaying their wealth," all supplemented by "a small population of students that are swimming in personal debt to attend Babson or could never place a foot on the campus if it weren't for their financial aid."

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