<p>If you want to be an entrepreneur, basically you can go anywhere. There are plenty of people who’ve “made it big” after dropping out of high school and plenty of people (though probably a lot more) who went to an Ivy league school. </p>
<p>That being said, I think that Babson has an excellent program that truly helps cultivate skills that will be valuable in a future career in entrepreneurship. You can take classes ranging from High Tech Entrepreneurship to MCFE (where students actually consult in teams with real life companies) to a class on Botany. And as a student, you’d be in a valuable networking/support environment of young entrepreneurs, some of whom have already made millions as undergrads. Babson has also partnered with the Olin College of Engineering and Wellesley College, so you can easily cross register for whatever other courses you may be interested in/learn more technical skills.</p>
<p>If you have any doubts about the strength of Babson’s program, please look below:</p>
<pre><code>* William J. Allard: Former CEO of Marquis Jet, Executive in Residence for Polaris Venture Partners[6]
Michael J. Angelakis: CFO of Comcast Corporation[7]
Marc H. Bell: CEO of Penthouse (magazine)
Ernesto Bertarelli: CEO of Serono, America’s Cup Yacht Race Winner [8]
Arthur M. Blank: Co-Founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons [9]
Terrell Braly: CEO of Cinebarre, founder of Quiznos
Joseph P. Campanelli: President/CEO of Flagstar Bank, Former President/CEO of Sovereign Bank[10][11]
Gustavo Cisneros: President/CEO of Organizacion Diego Cisneros [12]
Robert Davis: Founder of Lycos, CEO/Managing General Partner at Highland Capital Partners [13]
Roger Enrico: former Chairman/CEO of PepsiCo currently Chairman of DreamWorks Animation SKG [14]
Edsel Ford II: Director of Ford Motor Company
Tom Georgens: CEO of NetApp [15]
Daniel Gerber: Founder of Gerber Baby Foods
Thomas F. Gilbane Jr.: Chairman/CEO of Gilbane[16]
William D. Green: CEO of Accenture[17]
Frederic C. Hamilton: Chairman/CEO of Hamilton Brothers Petroleum Corporation [18][19]
Bruce Herring: CIO of Fidelity Investments
David F. Lamere: CEO of BNY Mellon Wealth Management [20]
Warren K.K. Luke: Chairman/President/CEO of Hawaii National Bank[21]
Geoff Molson: VP of Molson Canadian, seventh generation member of Molson family [22]
Louis Morrell: Wake Forest Endowment($1.2Billion) Fund Manager; WSJ noted “Investment Guru” [23]
David G. Mugar: CEO of Mugar Enterprises, Boston Philanthropist [24]
Junichi Murata: Chairman of Murata Machinery[www.scj.go.jp/ja/int/kaisai/jizoku2006/participants/cv/23_murata.pdf]
Mir Ibrahim Rahman: CEO of GEO TV[25]
Polina Raygorodskaya: CEO of Polina Fashion LLC [26]
Jurrien Timmer: Director of Investment Research, Co-Portfolio Manager of Fidelity Dynamic Strategies Fund
Akio Toyoda: President/CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Martha D. Vorlicek: COO of HarbourVest Partners[27]
</code></pre>
<p>Also of note: American billionaire Peter Kellogg was a dropout [28]</p>
<p>Keep in mind, that Babson graduates roughly 400 a year (versus other much larger universities that may have larger lists) and has been around for a shorter time than some other universities.</p>
<p>hello guys, I am looking seriously into babson and I wanted to hear from the students who have attended the school whether or not they liked it. I will most likely get into competitive colleges but I am really interested in Babson as well. For those who were in a similar situation and chose Babson, are you glad that you made that choice or would you have rather gone to a more prestigious/ well-known school?</p>
<p>OK, there are a plethora of options out there for sure. And a lot of this comes down to personal preference - you have one life after all.</p>
<p>But, I would ask anyone considering Babson to take a peak at a couple links. I’m currently an MBA student (bias) and it’s better than I ever imagined…</p>
<p>Hi to all potential Babson applicants, Just wanted to note that my daughter is a sophomore and has had an amazing experience at Babson. The FME class was everything it is promoted to be. She loves her classes, sports, and social life at Babson. She has taken advantage already of going to Germany last summer for a law class, just found out she was accepted to Babson’s London School of Economics and internship program next summer, and is applying to Babson’s Malaysia program. She has also been into Boston to meet with Babson alumni at UBS and other companies and attended the Harvard Business Women’s conference. The opportunities are fabulous. It is a great school where you can really have an impact due to its size. Let me know if anyone has any specific questions.</p>
<p>You guys certainly brought tears to my eyes and a good laugh. That was good. Lots of good info, too. Thank you. Well, I think my daughter is most likely not going to Cornell-deferred until RD. So how about Babson or Bryant? Money is an issue.
Bryant -$49,000 tuition rm and board, $18,000 scholarship, need aid-don’t know yet.
Babson -$55,618 tuition, rm and board, no scholarship, $28,000 grant with $5,500 loans and $2,200 work study totaling $35,700.<br>
Really do not want to pay more than that at all. There are still books, travel and personal expenses (work study can pay personal expenses, I guess.) We will make more money this year 2012, but then will have to pay more the next year. We don’t know about the year after that. We would like to keep some money for once. Have been paying college 7 years now, with 7 more years to go. We are paying for another college kid at the same time, too. All the money we ever made seems to have gone straight to the government and to colleges. We live sparsely. So the big question is- is it worth paying $30-35-40K including the loans versus, say, living at home and going to Adelphi University for $8,000 or Molloy College for $5,500 majoring in business/accounting? Heck, could dorm and still be saving. How much is Babson or Bryant better, if they are? Who really knows?</p>
<p>I do wish I knew what Reece choose, by the way, and how he’s doing, don’t you?</p>
<p>Reece chose Babson and graduated at the top of his class. He is now getting a master’s degree at Oxford. The Babson experience is top notch, not least because of the small size and extraodinarily dedicated and accessible faculty. Opportunities for highly academic students are rife and those students land jobs alongside the top Ivy grads (whether in finance, accounting, marketing, management, or more liberal arts oriented fields.) One of the top grads last year got into Harvard’s 2+2 program and is now in a consulting position at MacKenzie. For students who want business (and also want some liberal arts exposure), Babson is a gem.</p>
<p>Here are my thoughts on the Babson vs. (Insert top 50 school here) dilemma. I would appreciate comments and even counter arguments. </p>
<p>Ever since I was little I have wanted to operate my own business, be an entrepreneur. I recognize that Basbon is a school thats completely dedicated to this feat, unlike any other! However, I am concerned whether or not learning about entrepreneurship while pursuing an undergraduate degree is the most worthwhile path. Going to Babson means receiving a less broad education, it is very specialized. Specialization is good in my eyes, but Babson is sooo specialized that it doesn’t even offer liberal arts majors/ degrees. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Babson’s curriculum for undergraduates seems analogous to that of an MBA. </p>
<p>The essential aspects of business and entrepreneurship can be learned elsewhere at a more traditional university with other opportunities to expand horizons. If creating a business is your true primary focus in life, then Babson seems great. But it seems to me, you will become a more interesting and well-rounded person with still the ability to create your own business if you go to (Insert top 50 school here). You have your whole life to launch a start-up company, but you only go to college once.</p>
<p>I do disagree with bemorelikeray527’s comment:
“you will become a more interesting and well-rounded person with still the ability to create your own business if you go to (Insert top 50 school here). You have your whole life to launch a start-up company, but you only go to college once.”</p>
<p>My D is at Babson, she and all of her classmates are very well rounded and interesting people. My D, like many of her classmates, had an excellent high school education. My D went to a top pre school and during her 4 years in high school completed 4 years of math through AP calculus, 4 years of science including Chemistry and Physics, 4 years of history, 4 years of literature, 7 years of foreign language and 2 years of arts and music. She knew she wanted to study business and Babson has been wonderful. She still takes all the liberal arts classes at Babson, as at other universities, the advantage is the classes are spread throughout the 4 years. My D and her friends are very fun and interesting, and they are having a great time at Babson.</p>
<p>I also would also like to point out that not everyone is interested in being an Entrepreneur at Babson. My D and most of her friends are interested in Finance, Accounting, International Business, and some of the other concentrations. While Babson has a fabulous Entrepreneurship program, the other programs at Babson are very popular and are excellent as well. The FME program gives the students an appreciation of all the different roles it takes to make a business successful. The Entrepreneur program is only one piece of a much larger curriculum.</p>
<p>Finally, if students know they want to major in Business, I would put Babson up against any of the top business schools. I think it is a question of fit, if the student knows they want to major in business. Babson is fabulous for students who want to major in business, want the small class sizes, and want to live in the best college town, Boston!</p>
<p>It looks like on this forum, many believe that Babson is a good school for those who are sure that they are majoring in business. As a student accepted to Babson, this forum has been very helpful with showing me the credentials that make Babson a reputable school. </p>
<p>I have applied and been accepted to Babson, Bryant, Bentley, University of Connecticut, Drexel, American, and Northeastern. Babson has offered me the best financial aid package out of all these schools so far (only paying ~$10000/year with my current package). Bryant University is a close second (current package has me paying ~$12000/year). </p>
<p>I would pick Babson without hesitation for it’s package, however, how does Babson fare against these other schools? (Considering that I am looking for an international business major or concentration, intending on studying Chinese language and studying abroad to China, and wanting to be a part of community service clubs). Also, in terms of rigor, which school would be better? (I am graduating with a weighed 4.0+ GPA, around 3.8 unweighted, taking four AP classes, president of Habitat for Humanity, senator on student council, have studied abroad in China and South Africa during high school, and a proficient violin player). Thank you for your insights.</p>
<p>In response to 2010freshman:
All of your points are very valid and I can tell that Babson is the perfect place for your daughter, congratulations! It’s really an achievement to attend a school that fits well. Your daughter seems to have really reaped the benefits of liberal arts subjects in high school and at Babson and I don’t deny that these were strong, positive influences. My point before was not “Babson students are not well-rounded or interesting,” but instead at Babson, you well receive a less well-rounded education. This can be good or bad, depending on the individual. </p>
<p>In response to wanderlust2012:
I believe you and I are in a similar situation. I too have gotten into Babson and am deciding between other schools (thus far UMiami and Tulane, waiting on USC Northwestern Emory & William and Mary). As of now, I am strongly leading towards Tulane because I love New Orleans & the city is attracting entrepreneurs from across the country who want to start businesses and rebuild the city after Katrina. My point in telling you this is that its really up to you, the questions that you have asked have no simple answer. Each of the schools that you have listed have its own culture, mission, and perks. Babson has a very rigorous curriculum and I think you would challenge yourself the most there. But Babson is JUST a business school, and places like Northeastern have other divisions. So, to me, that is the main choice that you will have to make. I would think all of those colleges have opportunities for you to study Chinese, serve the community, and travel abroad. You will just need to do independent research to find out more. Does this help? I am still thinking through it all as well. </p>
<p>For open discussion:
I am curious to hear others’ opinions on the value of surrounding oneself with like-minded students. At Babson, everyone is receiving a business degree. You are immersed into an environment where everyone has similar interests and aspirations. How may this change the dynamics of the college setting? What are the advantages and disadvantages? At a traditional university, you may enroll in a business school and surround yourself with like-minded students but still have friends who are majoring in other fields such as architecture, science, engineering, urban studies, computer science, french, etc. They add more variety and give different perspectives; how much does this matter in ones’ education?</p>
<p>bmorelikeray527, I am starting to like you more and more. At first, I questioned your “bmorelikeray527” name, thinking you are looking for a diverse setting, but chose bemorelikeray as you screen name. Do you really want us to be more like you? You are funny, very ironic.</p>
<p>I am sure you are surprised I have more to add to the discussion. While Babson is perfect for my D, I do have a S who is a Senior like you. My S is very interested in pursuing science and business. Thus he applied to several colleges. He was accepted to all of the schools he applied to Villanova Business School, Babson, Santa Clara Business School, Tulane and Emory. He received amazing scholarships at Tulane and Santa Clara. From his selection you can see he was looking at EA schools, and he applied and was accepted ED to Emory. Emory will be a great fit for him because he can pursue his interest in Science and Business. </p>
<p>If you have the choice, I think Emory is a better school than Tulane. We know kids that go to Tulane. Tulane is an up and coming school, but not the same caliber as Emory. It sounds like you are interested in rankings, so you know how the schools
are ranked. Emory and Babson are much higher ranked than the other schools, Northeastern, Tulane, and some of the other schools you listed. It sounds like you prefer Tulane thus far. Tulane is a great party school if that is something that you want, and you know you can discipline yourself to study. </p>
<p>In summary, there are pros and cons to all the schools. However, I do believe all the schools that you listed are great options. It is all what you make of it when you get there and what is the best fit for you. Good luck and let us know what you decide!</p>
<p>Wanderlust2012 congratulations on your scholarship to Babson. I would encourage you to contact Babson and discuss their programs for Chinese language,Study abroad, and your other questions. I have been to most of the colleges you noted, and do believe that Babson is the best Business School of the schools mentioned and has a very international student body. </p>
<p>The opportunities for travel at Babson are incredible starting right away! My D is a sophomore and she has had several opportunities during the summer, January term, and spring break. She has always traveled with a Babson group with about 15 students and one or two professors and has received college credit for the programs. Her study abroad programs:
–After freshman year, she traveled in May/June to Germany to study German Law.
–Currently a sophomore, she is taking a class on Malaysia business and culture and is now on Spring Break in Malaysia.
–This summer she is attending Babsons Honors London School of Economics program from mid June to mid August. In addition to taking classes, she interviewed and just got an amazing internship in London as a research analyst for a NYSE investment management company. The internships are organized by Babson. She is very excited to staying in the LSE apartments, working in the business district of London, and during the Olympics. What could be better!
–For her Junior year abroad, she is considering going to Singapore for second semester.</p>
<p>She will have completed 3 study abroad programs before her Junior Year. She could have also taken 2 more great trips in January to Africa and other countries with Babson. There are many opportunities for study and travel to China, India, Europe, Africa and everywhere. Some Babson kids go to the London School of Economics for a full year and absolutely love it. There are many options for China. Check out the Babson website under Global programs and click on all of the links on the left. Here is one of the links to the program listings:</p>
<p>A few misconceptions that might be worth noting here. For one, Babson does not offer “liberal arts majors” so to speak but they actually do have a handful of liberal arts based concentrations including Literary and Visual Arts, ethics philosophy and culture, American Studies, Identity and Diversity, etc. They are not your traditional Arts and Sciences majors but they are liberal arts programs. Also it is worth noting that limited cross registration at Wellesley and Brandies offers a wide range of world class liberal arts classes, all though obviously not majors. Not to mention that Babson students are required to complete 50% of their classes in liberal arts.</p>
<p>Also a misconception is that every student at Babson wants to study entrepreneurship. Obviously they are one of, probably THE, best school is the world for that, but their other business divisions such as Finance, Econ, Accounting, etc. are still regarded as world class and will put you on par with essentially every undergraduate B-School in the world save maybe UPENN-Wharton and London School of Economics. Babson is to business what the Little Ivies are the Liberal Arts. The quality of the education is as good, but you are trading off prestige and alumni base for small size/more personal experience. It really is just a question of fit, because Babson’s academics are stellar.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your insights. I just wanted to make an update to inform you all that I did pick Babson. I’m enrolling within the next week when the final financial aid package comes in the mail. I made this decision based on the fact that ultimately, my deal from Babson is one that I shouldn’t turn down. It’s a pretty reputable school, has a great international community, it’s near Boston, and has the FME program that I thought was really interesting. As for liberal arts courses, I will take a lot at Babson and probably cross-register at Wellesley to become fluent in Chinese and maybe do some psychology studies applicable to international business. I’ll find some way to do it. </p>
<p>There are so many pros that if I turned it down, I feel like I would regret it later. Obviously I’m not able to predict my next four years of undergraduate education, but college will be what I make of it. All in all, I can’t wait to start college though!</p>
<p>For those that do not know at all, it seems like people think that Babson is ONLY an “entrepreneurship” school. Extremely wrong.</p>
<p>Even if they are the #1 school for entrepreneurship, you can easily conclude that they have programs in business (since they are one of the top business schools in the nation) that are equally strong as well. Look at their faculty profile. Their faculty consists of people that have graduated from the top schools in the country and many have not just a degree but also years of work experience as well.</p>
<p>Babson consists of concentrations that you decide on your 3rd and 4th year. You can pick entrepreneurship and if you have been following Babson’s model for success, everything they teach is under what they call the “Umbrella of Entrepreneurship”. I would easily put Babson on par with the Ivy schools. Think of it this way - you go into a business school with excellent students or UPenn with excellent students…there really is no downside to both. UPenn and Babson both have difficult admission rates - I believe this year for the class of 2016 they only admitted 400-500 students and they had 5000+ applicants for the fall of 2012. </p>
<p>Misconception - just because it isn’t an Ivy doesn’t mean it’s not good. There are many schools out there that are at the top of its field. You just have to go and find it.</p>
<p>i am a current high school graduate and will enroll at babson in the fall of 2013 and i was wondering if there are any current students or even alumni who can provide some helpful tips or any other information that you feel i should know</p>