independent institution in Wellesley, Mass., 14 miles (23 kilometers) west of Boston. The 450-acre (182-hectare) campus features Georgian-style and modern architecture among both open and wooded areas. Roger Babson, an economist famous for predicting the stock market crash of 1929, founded the college in 1919. It focuses on business and ranks among the top specialty schools in the United States. Enrollment consists of roughly 1,700 undergraduates and 1,500 graduate students, more than half of whom come from outside of the state. Men outnumber women. The academic calendar is divided into fall and spring semesters plus an optional short term in January. More than 90 percent of the full-time faculty have doctorates, and many hold outside consultant positions. Undergraduate disciplines include accounting, management, American studies, communication, economics, entrepreneurial studies, finance, international business studies, investments, marketing, management information systems, and quantitative methods. Students may also choose interdisciplinary majors. Everyone takes liberal arts courses and general management classes in addition to courses within a specialty. At the graduate level, the college grants the master of business administration degree. The graduate program in entrepreneurship has received national attention. Many students live in campus housing; freshmen who do not reside with their parents are required to live on-site. College life includes some 50 extracurricular activities, such as fraternities and sororities, community service organizations, an international students' club, musical and theatrical ensembles, and career-related groups. Varsity sports teams compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. |