Babson College in One Day

Hi guys,

I'm not sure who will be reading this email (hopefully somebody will) but I found crapcampus through a pal I met on facebook who was in the same predicament I am currently in. I'm a senior in high school and have been accepted by Bentley and Babson. I'm not sure which school to attend.

People around me keep telling me to take the Babson route, as Babson is more prestigious and will surely get me a better job than if I attend Bentley. After learning Bentley was ranked 31st best undergrad business program, while Babson was 33rd, and reading your website (the entire thing, all posts, all comments) I'm not so convinced that is true. It seems like most students at Bentley are extremely happy where they are, and as I can see there is a significant group of kids from Babson that are unhappy with the school and it's administration.

I'm leaning towards Bentley because it is cheaper in tuition, offers a 5 year Master Program with its undergrad curriculum, and seems like the general population of students is the right fit for me.

Still, I agreed to attend Basically Babson Day, just in case I have the wrong impression of the school. I already went on the tour and the information session last spring (both were too long and too dull) and I can't help but feel I'll end up like one of you guys if I decide to matriculate at Babson.

I guess my question to you guys is, do you have any advice? Obviously you're a bit biased but if I ask any of the kids I meet at Babson i'm sure they'll tell me Babson is the best college in the world. So, should I take the school with the most prestige or go to the neighboring school that is equal if not better?

Regards,

Unsure in Utah

Hi Unsure,

It seems like you've done your research and are about dead on. I'll try to be as unbiased as possible, but I have to give you an extra warning about Basically Babson Day and everything along with that. Everyone will tell you how great Babson is, even if they don't like it. I've found that kids here will tell each other the things they hate about Babson, but if anyone else asks, they love the school. They want Babson to look good so they look good, simple as that.

One big thing to think about in Babson vs Bentley is what job you want. I think Bentley has a stronghold on the accounting field and one other one. Perhaps finance, but Babson has some tough finance classes and profs that turn out smart students. Some of my friends have blown away the other candidates (Harvard, etc) in all their investment banking interviews.

I think the prestige of Babson is held mainly by Babson alums and students. If your future employer is a Babson alum, well, you want Babson on your side. But Bentley offers a great campus and facilities along with happier students. If you don't mind suffering for 4 years for the sake of more hands-on business experience, Babson could be for you. (I think those latest rankings took social life and facilities into account, which is most likely what pushed them ahead. Funny thing is, I think Northeastern and BC destroyed Babson in those rankings too!)

So to sum things up:

If you're worried that your Babson experience won't be great, don't come here, because it probably won't be.

For jobs, my friends (fellow Babson seniors) are getting good jobs, mostly in i-banking and consulting, but some in accounting.

Bentley could very well surpass Babson within 4 years. (You probably read about the president here getting ready to resign because he doesn't know what to do. That's totally true.) So Babson could definitely lose its reputation; on the other hand, if we get a great new president, the school could become great.)

-Crapmaster

P.S. I'm assuming you're looking to work in Boston. If not, neither school really carries any weight outside of the Northeast.