Evaluation Criteria

The admission process at Babson is highly competitive. For the Class of 2016, we received more than 5,500 applications. On average, admitted students had high school grades between A- and B+, ranked in the top 5-15 percent of their classes, and earned SAT scores from 1840-2120 (this range represents the middle 50 percent of admitted students’ averages).  

At Babson, we take pride in our extensive and holistic evaluation of all applications for admission. While the greatest focus is placed on a student's four-year performance at the secondary level, the following factors are carefully considered in our evaluation process:

• Academic performance
• Rigor of coursework (accelerated, honors, AP/International Baccalaureate, etc.)
• Academic motivation, including interest in learning and a willingness to challenge oneself
• Performance on standardized tests (SAT I or ACT; TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers)
• Writing ability
• Involvement in activities and/or work experience
• Leadership, creativity, and enthusiasm

Interviews with an admission counselor or student admission intern are available but not required; interviews are evaluative and candidates’ written evaluations will be added to their files for use in the selection process.

The academic environment at Babson is a rigorous one, and we look for students who have best prepared themselves for success at the college level. Most admitted students have carried four to five courses per year in the five major academic subject areas: English, mathematics, social science, laboratory science, and foreign language.

Additionally, because students take Quantitative Methods with Calculus in their first year at Babson, we highly recommend pursuing mathematics through pre-calculus at a minimum. 

Home Schooled Students Applying to Babson

Eligibility

• A high school diploma
• The recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, typically a General Education Development (GED) certificate
• A completed secondary home school program (with state completion credential, if applicable*)

* Though home schooled students are not considered to have a high school diploma or equivalent, they are eligible to apply to Babson if their secondary school education was in a home school that state law treats as a home or private school. Some states issue a secondary school completion credential to home schooled students. If this is the case in the state where the student was home schooled he/she must obtain this credential in order to enroll.

If the student's state does not issue a secondary school completion credential, a student may request that a portfolio of their work be reviewed by the Admission Committee.  The Committee will review the credentials in the context of our selective application pool with regard to our expectations of adequate secondary school preparedness.

Requirements and Suggestions

• All applicants must complete the Home Schooled Students' Supplemental Form

• All applicants must submit an additional letter of recommendation from a non-family member

• While additional tests are not required, home schooled students are strongly encouraged to take additional standardized tests to be evaluated in conjunction with their home school program. Suggested exams may include SAT subject tests, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. Additional coursework taken at a college or university may also be submitted. Because Babson receives applications from students in varied curriculums worldwide, home schooled students who choose to submit additional credentials may position themselves more favorably in our highly competitive application pool. Students who choose not to submit extra credentials will not be penalized in the evaluation process. However, the more information we have when reviewing a student’s file, the more confidence we may have in the student’s potential for success at the college level.