Bentley University

Responses from the Student Interview

From a student  who identifies as Major: Economics-Finance
Minor: Supply Chain Management
Student Self Identifies as: Latina Straight Female

Summary

I’m in a sorority, I’m part of the Alpha Club, and the Bentley Consulting Group.

Background

Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Latina
Sexual Orientation: Straight

High School Experience: Public high school in Lowell, Massachusetts with a graduating class of about 1,000 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First Generation College Student: No
Major: Economics-Finance
Minor: Supply Chain Management

Extracurricular Activities: I’m in a sorority, I’m part of the Alpha Club, and the Bentley Consulting Group.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
I’d say Alpha helped me network with professionals and further my career goals. Joining a sorority helped me create new friendships.

Academic Experience

Can you describe the weekly coursework for your general business courses?
I just declared my major a week ago, so I’m only taking general education courses. I’d say we have quizzes, problem sets here and there, and random handout assignments.
Is there anything you feel the general business courses do especially well or poorly?
They help you become exposed to real-world examples. Each semester we’re put in a group, and we work on a project together. That usually entails analyzing a company or firm.
How accessible are your professors?
They’re very accessible. They’re very open to meeting with students during their office hours and even after class. They’re always willing to email students.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
It’s mainly collaborative because we have semester-long projects where we’re put in teams.
What’s been your favorite class you’ve taken so far?
I’d say GB 112. It teaches you the foundations of finance and accounting. It helps students get insights on financial statements and all the important things in finance and accounting.
Why did you pick your Economics-Finance major? Are you happy with your choice?
I originally was declared as Finance, but I’m going abroad next Spring and there was a little bit of difficulty if I were to stick with the major. They don’t offer many Finance courses abroad, whereas if I declared as Economics-Finance, they had more leverage choosing different Economics classes because it’s broader.

Reasons to Attend

1) The preparedness for being in the workforce. Being here for two semesters now compared to my other school, I feel ten times more prepared. Bentley has a 99% job placement rate.]
2) The connections. Even the professors have had experience in the workforce. Some own their own business, so you can get connections through them.
3) The proximity to Boston. Because we’re next to Boston, you can obtain an internship. Being close to a city helps, but I wish we were closer.
4) The clubs on campus are very helpful. I got my internship through Alpha, so being involved in clubs on campus helps with networking. The Bentley Consulting Group has resources for preparing for case interviews and things like that, which are helpful.

Reasons Not to Attend

Student did not respond to this question.

Around Campus

Freshman: North Suites with one roommate and two suitemates.
How was transitioning from your hometown in Lowell to Waltham, MA in terms of location?
It was fine. Bentley is about the same number of students at my high school, so it was a really easy transition. [Bentley has about 4,200 undergraduate students.]
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I think it’s very safe. I feel like there is always movement on campus. Even at night, I’ll see people walk by, so I’ve never felt in danger.

Social Opportunities

What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you participate in at Bentley?
I don’t go out very often, but when I do, I participate in my sorority’s socials on the weekends. If I’m not going out, I’ll usually take the shuttle into Boston or to Harvard Square.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Boston?
I love shopping on Newbury Street and going out to eat.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
It has a big impact. Some frats can be very exclusive to who they let in unless they have an open party where everyone can come. Sororities usually have socials with frats, so they pair up and whoever is in that sorority can come in. If you know people you’ll definitely have an easier way to get in. [About 17% of undergraduates are involved in Greek life.]
How happy are you with the weekend activities at Bentley? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’m really satisfied with all of the options.

Campus Culture

How did you meet your closest friends?
During the first week of class when we did introductions, we all met after class, and that’s how it started. Once I joined a sorority I met a lot of other people.
How was entering as a transfer student? Were there any resources that helped you adjust?
I came in as a transfer student in the Fall, so I had to go through orientation as well. We were split up into a transfer orientation group as well, so it was really easy. We had a lot of resources to go to if we had any questions. It was helpful, and I feel like I didn’t have a hard transition at all.
How would you describe the overall social scene?
It’s pretty good. There are a lot of options, and people have different things on campus. A lot of people met each other through orientation, and because of the group projects in class.
To what extent do you feel people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I don’t think I see them mixed. I do have White and American friends, but I also have a group of friends who are Latina. [Just over half of the population of Bentley is White.]
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
All of my roommates are in different sororities, and we’re all really good friends. That’s common for people on campus as well.
How would you describe the Latina community on campus? How strong is it?
I feel like with any race it’s cliquey. I met my Latina friends through Alpha because it’s an association of Latina professionals. Within a group like that, we connect and hang out. It’s very small outside of those organizations, so other than joining a club, people become friends based on the similarity of being Latina, or from mutual friends.
How do you like the size of Bentley in terms of undergraduate enrollment? [Bentley has about 4,200 undergraduate students.]
I really like it. I didn’t have any trouble coming here because it was the same size as my high school, whereas it was overwhelming when I visited my friend who goes to UMass. I enjoy the small size of Bentley.
What is the social impact of Bentley being a business school?
The people here are similar in the sense that their goal is to be successful. I feel that there is a divide here, but it’s not a big thing. It’s very secretive. There’s not much mixing happening between the Liberal Arts portion of the campus and the business school students.

Careers

What have you used the career office for? How helpful have they been?
I’ve gotten my resume fixed there. My long-term goal is to become a management consultant, so I’ve asked for different ways I could get those opportunities and internships. I had them guide me on where to go.
Have you learned any computer programs or languages through your coursework that will be especially helpful to you professionally?
We all have to take IT 101, so I could say I’m proficient in Excel because of it.

Financial Aid

Have you used financial aid? If so, accommodating was the office to your needs?
I do use financial aid, and they’re very helpful. Whenever I have questions I just give them a call, and someone is there to answer my questions.