Student Profile: Francesca Gibbs, Babson College

Francesca Gibbs, an American MBA student, currently attends Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Before embarking on her MBA studies, Gibbs had six years’ work experience, and held the role of development associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

She speaks to TopMBA.com about her MBA experience and her reasons for choosing Babson College.

What were you doing before you started your MBA?

I was working as a development associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where I was responsible for marketing to attract and retain donors. I created a marketing plan for the Office of Gift Planning, which generated an increase in planned giving donors and gift prospects by 10 percent.

I created and produced print marketing materials and updated the e-marketing website to drive donor traffic to the site. My role also consisted of developing content for a quarterly newsletter with a large distribution which improved donor engagement.

What were the factors that led you to your graduate degree?

I felt as though I’d refined my qualitative skills through my work experiences and felt confident, but didn’t feel as well-versed in quantitative topics and wanted to change that.

I felt a graduate degree, and more specifically an MBA, would allow me to improve my quantitative skill level and immerse myself in business, finance, and marketing, which I felt would be immensely helpful in my career. I also felt an MBA would allow me to delve into new topics and potentially find a new career path.

What factored in to your final decision?

There were a few factors I considered before finalizing my MBA program decision. First, affordability was a great concern. I didn’t want to graduate with substantial debt and feel distracted by the financial burden throughout my studies.

Second, I wanted to study on the East Coast as I felt I’d likely stay in the area and wanted my network to be strong. I also considered the job placement of programs because I wanted to feel my school would truly invest in my career and help me land the job I wanted. Finally, I considered what the school was most renowned for. Babson was almost synonymous with the word entrepreneurship, which spoke to some of my personal goals.

What do you most love about the school/program?

Babson College is unique for me due to its small size. I went to the University of Virginia for undergrad, which is much larger than Babson, and by coming to a smaller school and program, I’ve seen the benefits of a more intimate learning setting.

I love that professors know their students' names, get to know people, and genuinely learn about their interests. They’re willing to spend as much time as possible with us to help us execute our goals. I also love that our program is so global. I’ve learned a lot about myself and classmates as I’ve been exposed to so many different cultures and backgrounds.

What is your favorite thing about the city/campus?

Boston is full of students from different schools who can share knowledge and experiences. This is a unique opportunity that makes my MBA experience much more fulfilling. Being in Boston exposes us to unique events, conferences, and panels that other programs in remote areas might not have. In terms of the Babson campus, I enjoy that it’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the city which encourages students to be fully immersed in school. It also fosters a great community due to its size and layout.

Would you do anything differently if you could research and apply to business school again?

I would focus less on a general web search and talk to people in the program more. I feel students have a more real-time experience and can tell you what they like and don’t like. As a current student, I’m always willing to share my experiences with prospective students. If I could go back in time in the application process, I’d also tour the schools I’m seriously interested in. I quickly learned that by going to the location, you get so much more of a feel for the campus and the type of students who attend. I’d highly encourage prospective students to go and talk to people during the application process.

What do you think is the biggest myth about applying to business school?

That there’s a special formula to get you into programs. I learned there are elements to admission that as an applicant you have no control over and are mostly unaware of. Instead of focusing on how to present yourself in a specific way, I’d say take the time to figure out what you want out of an MBA experience and then craft the narrative to tell that story effectively. There are so many opinions online, through colleagues, and friends, but I think it’s incredibly important to not lose sight of who you are and why a specific program is of interest to you. Telling someone else’s story to admissions isn’t effective and doesn’t serve to your benefit in the end.

What is the one piece of advice you have for incoming students?

Be honest and open in your applications and interviews. Often, I think we succumb to the notion we need to present ourselves in a certain way to gain admission, but I think it’s very obvious when something has been scripted versus genuinely sharing yourself with the admissions team. I also think it’s valuable to share what you’re seeking to improve. Often, we boast about what we’re good at, but I believe it shows maturity and awareness to point out your areas of weakness.

Getting an MBA is an exploratory process that should be fun. It’s a time to try new things and push yourself to be uncomfortable. I’d argue if you’re getting an MBA to solely work on what you’re already good at, you’re missing the whole point.