Frequently Asked Questions
When will classes begin? Classes begin on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 (new student orientation begins August 28th, see highlights).
How do Advanced Credits work?
Entering students may be granted credits and/or advanced course placement for the successful completion of the Advanced Placement (AP) examination given by the Educational Testing Service of the College Entrance Examination Board, the International Baccalaureate, the Swiss Matura, or the completion of course work at an accredited college or university. AP credit and/or advanced course placement is awarded for AP exam scores of 4 or 5. Almost all exam topics are accepted with a few exceptions such as Latin and the fine arts. There is no limit to the amount of AP credit any one student can transfer to Babson.
IB credit and/or advanced course placement is awarded for grades of 5 or better in a higher level IB course. Accepted IB courses at the higher level include: Language A (English only), Language A2 (English only), Language B, History, History of the Islamic World, Mathematics, and Theater Arts.
Swiss Matura credit and/or advanced course placement is awarded for a grade of 4 or better.
Who should I contact to discuss accommodations for a disability?
Contact Mary Powell, Manager of Disability Services, at 781-239-4508.
Where will my mail be sent?
Upon your arrival to campus, you will receive a mailbox and a mailbox combination. All Babson students receive a mailbox and are encouraged to check their mailbox frequently. This mailbox will be officially yours as of August 15, 2008. If you would like to ship any of your belongings to the college, please do so
after August 15, 2008. If you must have something delivered before August 15, please e-mail sheaslip@babson.edu for instructions. Please address all mailings to the following:
Your Name
Campus Box # _____
Babson College
Babson Park, MA 02457-0420
The campus mailroom will be open during orientation for you to pick up your belongings. This is your mailbox for four years.
When will I move in?
Students move into campus housing during the course of the morning on the first day of Orientation. The morning of Thursday August 28, 2008 is set aside to check in for Orientation and to move into your room. Therefore, we suggest that you arrive in enough time to move your belongings into your residence hall room after you check in for the Orientation program at Knight Auditorium.
What if I cannot attend Orientation due to circumstances beyond my control?
Contact the Office of Academic Services to obtain more information at 781-239-4075.
Where do I go when I arrive on campus?
When you arrive on campus, you should proceed immediately to Knight Auditorium where you will check in for orientation and receive your residence hall room key. Remember, check-in and move-in takes place from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Knight Auditorium.
What if I want to ship some belongings before Orientation?
Your College mailbox is yours as soon as it is assigned, by August 1, 2008. If you would like to ship any of your belongings to the College, please do so after August 1, 2008. You will be emailed your campus box information and correct address format to use. Please address all mailings to:
Your Name
Your Campus Box Number
Babson College
Babson Park, MA 02457 If you are uncertain of your mailbox number, please contact mailroom@babson.edu.
The campus mailroom will be open during Orientation for you to pick up your belongings.
What happens on the first day of Orientation?
After checking in at Knight Auditorium, students will then move in to their residence hall rooms. In the late morning, brunch will be available for all new students and their families, followed by the Opening Celebration. After the celebration, students and families will separate for specific orientation events before coming back together at the end of the day for a barbecue. After the families leave, our new students will enjoy further events designed to help them get to know each other and their new home.
What is an Orientation Group?
Orientation groups consist of approximately 20 new students and are led by a Peer Mentor. You will receive your Orientation Group assignment at Orientation check-in. You will meet with your group several times throughout the Orientation program, and will attend many of the social events together. Your Orientation group will also continue as your FYS – First Year Seminar – classmates for the fall semester.
Who are Peer Mentors?
Peer Mentors are junior and senior students who assist first-year students in their transition into Babson via Orientation and the co-facilitation of a First Year Seminar course where they are responsible for a cohort of approximately 20 students.
How should I dress for Orientation?
In general, Orientation is very casual and you should feel free to dress accordingly. Remember that the on the first day of Orientation, you will be moving into your residence hall in the morning, so you and your family may want to dress comfortably. In fact, you will find that even the students, alumni, faculty, and staff participating in the Orientation Program are dressed pretty casually themselves for the different events.
When will I receive my finalized course schedule?
You will receive your finalized schedule in your Orientation packet when you check-in for Orientation.
How are roommates selected for new incoming students?
Roommates are assigned by the Office of Campus Life, based on the preferences that the student listed on his/her housing application. If you would like to contact the Office of Campus Life, please call 781-239-4438.
How is the standard residence hall room furnished?
Residence hall rooms are furnished with a bed (extra long twin mattress), a desk, a bureau, a wardrobe/closet. Residence hall rooms are equipped with one data connection per student. You are expected to provide bedding, towels, desk lamps, and any other items of your preference.
Where can I obtain information about off-campus housing?
If you did not receive college housing for the semester in which you enrolled, the Office of Campus Life provides up-to-date listings of available apartments, houses, and rooms for rent. Call (781) 239-4438 for more information.
What health records need to be provided by me to Babson College?
Before you arrive on campus this fall, it is mandatory that you have submitted all of your health and immunization forms to the Health Services Office. All undergraduates must have documentation of all required immunizations. If you have any questions, please contact Health Services at (781) 239-4257.
What type of computer should I purchase?
You actually do not need to buy a computer. Since the fall of 2000, every incoming Babson student has received a leased laptop computer as part of the College's Technology Initiative. The laptops are loaded with software to optimize interactive learning, giving students equal access to high-level technology and software both in and out of the classroom.
Can I have a car on campus?
All registered students may keep an automobile on campus. Whether you are a residential or a commuter student, all vehicles must be registered and marked with the appropriate sticker. There is a parking permit fee of $50.00 for resident students and $25.00 for commuter students. Automobile registration may be completed upon arrival to campus at the Office of Public Safety.
How does the phone system work?
All students share one phone with their roommate(s). Please note that Babson does not provide a telephone for your room. Cordless phones are not recommended due to building materials that may impede service. Fax machines and modems are compatible with wiring standards in the residence halls. Since voice mail is provided it is not necessary to bring an answering machine. For off-campus phone calls, students receive bills each month detailing calls billed to their code.
When should I buy my books?
You may purchase your books during Orientation or anytime during the first week of classes.
Orientation Homepage
New Students Web Page
