If you’re staring at a blank application for Babson College, you’re probably feeling that specific mix of excitement and "oh no, how do I actually get in?" anxiety. It’s the top school for entrepreneurship. Everyone knows that. But what most people don't realize is that there's a literal cheat sheet for their admissions process sitting right under your nose. It's called the Babson College Common Data Set.
Most applicants just look at the glossy brochures. They see the photos of the blank canvases in the Weissman Foundry and the stats about starting salaries. Those are fine, honestly. But if you want to know how the admissions office actually thinks—like, what they really care about—you have to dig into the raw numbers. This isn't just a PDF of boring tables. It’s a roadmap.
Breaking Down the Babson College Common Data Set
So, what is this thing? Basically, the Common Data Set (CDS) is a standard report that most universities in the U.S. fill out every year. It’s designed to make it easier for people to compare schools without the marketing fluff getting in the way. For a school like Babson, which is hyper-focused on business and entrepreneurship, the data reflects a very specific kind of student profile.
Look at Section C. That’s the "Admissions" section, and it’s where the gold is buried.
One thing you’ll notice immediately is how they weight different parts of your application. Babson isn't like a massive state school where you're just a GPA and an SAT score. They actually tell you that things like "Character/Personal Qualities" and "Extra-curricular Activities" are "Very Important." That’s a specific technical term in the CDS. If you have a 4.0 but you’ve never actually done anything or shown leadership, you’re going to have a hard time. They want builders. They want people who have failed at a small business and learned something from it.
The SAT and ACT Question
Is Babson test-blind? No. Are they test-optional? Usually, yes, but you need to check the specific year’s data. In recent cycles, the Babson College Common Data Set shows a significant chunk of the incoming class still submits scores.
If your math score is in the 700s, submit it. Seriously. This is a business school. They need to know you can handle the quantitative rigor of accounting and finance classes. The CDS will show you the 25th and 75th percentile scores. If you're below that 25th percentile, it might be better to lean on your GPA and your "entrepreneurial pivot" story instead.
The Reality of the Waitlist
Let’s talk about something uncomfortable: the waitlist.
Nobody wants to be there. It’s academic purgatory. But if you look at the Babson College Common Data Set, you can see exactly how many people got offered a spot on the waitlist, how many accepted that spot, and—most importantly—how many actually got in.
Some years, that number is surprisingly high. Other years, it’s basically zero.
If you see that Babson only admitted three people off the waitlist last year, you know your odds are slim. It helps you manage expectations. You can stop checking your email every twelve seconds and start falling in love with your backup school. Knowledge is power, or at least it’s a way to keep your sanity.
Class Sizes and the Student-Faculty Ratio
You’ve probably heard the pitch: "Small classes! Personalized attention!"
The CDS actually proves it. Section I deals with class size. You’ll see that a massive majority of Babson’s classes have fewer than 30 students. Very few—if any—are those giant 300-person lecture halls you see in movies. This matters because it tells you about the vibe on campus. You can't hide in the back of the room at Babson. You’re going to be talking. You’re going to be presenting. If that sounds terrifying, the data is telling you that maybe this isn't the right fit.
Financial Aid: What They Aren't Telling You in the Brochure
Section H is the heavy hitter. It’s all about financial aid.
Babson is expensive. There’s no way around that. But the Babson College Common Data Set breaks down how much "need-based" aid vs. "merit-based" aid they give out.
- Need-based aid: This is for families who can't afford the sticker price.
- Merit-based aid: This is for the "superstars" Babson wants to lure away from other top schools.
If you look at the average "non-need-based" scholarship, it’s often a decent chunk of change. This is the "merit" money. If you’re a top-tier applicant, Babson uses this money to stay competitive. The data shows you the average package, which gives you a realistic starting point for your family's budget conversations. It’s much better to know the average aid package is $25,000 than to just guess and hope for the best.
Why Your "Demonstrated Interest" Matters
Some schools don't care if you visit. They don't care if you email the admissions officer. Babson is different.
In the Babson College Common Data Set, you can see if they track "level of applicant's interest." For an entrepreneurship-heavy school, showing that you actually want to be there—that you’ve done your research, attended the webinars, and maybe even reached out to a current student—can be the tiebreaker. They want a community of people who are obsessed with the Babson way of thinking. They aren't looking for "prestige hunters" who just applied because of the rankings.
Academic Rigor vs. GPA
GPA is a liar. A 4.0 in easy classes isn't the same as a 3.6 in the hardest AP or IB curriculum your school offers.
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The CDS confirms this. Babson marks "Rigor of secondary school record" as "Very Important." They want to see that you pushed yourself. If your school offers AP Microeconomics or Calculus and you didn't take them because you wanted to protect your GPA, that might actually hurt you. They’d rather see you struggle a bit with a hard concept than cruise through an easy one. It’s about the mindset.
Use the Data to Write Your Supplemental Essay
The most practical way to use the Babson College Common Data Set is for your "Why Babson?" essay.
Don't just say you like entrepreneurship. Use the data points. Mention the specific faculty-to-student ratio if you’re talking about wanting mentorship. If you see in the CDS that they have a strong emphasis on "International Student" enrollment (Section B), and you're someone who wants a global perspective, mention that.
It shows you’ve done your homework. It shows you aren't just copy-pasting an essay you wrote for NYU or Bentley.
Actionable Next Steps
Instead of just scrolling through the Babson website, do these three things right now:
- Download the most recent PDF: Search for "Babson College Common Data Set 2024-2025" (or the most current year).
- Go straight to Section C7: This is the table that lists what factors they consider "Very Important," "Important," "Considered," and "Not Considered." Align your resume with the "Very Important" column.
- Check the 75th percentile scores: If you are submitting test scores, aim to be at or above the 75th percentile to maximize your chances of merit aid.
- Look at the degrees conferred: Section J tells you which majors are actually popular. Hint: At Babson, it's basically all Business, but the sub-concentrations matter.
The data is there. It’s free. It’s transparent. Most people are too lazy to look at it, which is exactly why you should. It’s the closest thing to an inside look at the admissions office you’re ever going to get.
Stop guessing what Babson wants and just read what they’ve already told the government they’re looking for. It changes the way you see the entire application. Be the entrepreneur of your own college search. Use the data.