FAQs

FAQs: Learning About Bennington

• Where is Bennington located?

  Bennington College is located in the southwest corner of Vermont, on the border of Massachusetts and New York State. The town of Bennington is home to 16,000 people.

• What are nearby cities?

  • Albany, New York, is a 50-minute drive from Bennington.
  • Williamstown, Massachusetts, is 20 minutes.
  • New York City is 3.5 hours.
  • Boston is 3 hours.
  • Montreal is 4 hours.

• When did you become co-ed?

  Bennington has been co-ed since 1969; prior to that it was a women’s college from its founding in 1932. Today, the female-male ratio is approximately 65:35.

• What type of student are you looking for?

  In addition to a student’s strong academic history, we are looking for evidence of exceptional maturity to handle the academic planning process, self-motivation, independent and creative thought, and an understanding of what it means to direct the course of one’s own education. It is through a student’s essays, teacher recommendations, school performance, supplementary materials, and interview that we are able to learn about undergraduate and graduate applicants.

• Can I concentrate on more than one subject at Bennington?

  Yes. Suppose you are interested in politics and science. Here are some ideas of different approaches you might develop in your thinking, your coursework, your writing and research. 

  • Two subjects intermingling, such as: Physics and the role of Science in Wartime Technology.
  • One interest within the other interest, such as: The Politics of Science: Genetic Engineering and the Social, Political and Ethical Implications of the Scientific Power to Change DNA.
  • Pursue each area separately, such as: The Bio-Chemistry of Freshwater Newts; and Democracy in Developing Countries.
  • Whatever the questions you explore, your studies will include coursework, research and experiment, as well as experiences in some or all of your Field Work Terms.

• What if I don’t know what I want to study in college?

  All the better. You are free to explore subjects and courses in areas that are familiar as well as areas you may never have thought of studying before. Your work can include an array of interests: dance, chemistry, drawing, anthropology, philosophy, biology. Many aspects of your Bennington education will become part of your thinking, such as Field Work Term. From the start, you will discuss your discoveries with your academic advisor and then your Plan Committee and will begin to frame ideas and questions you would like to pursue.

• What is the student-faculty ratio?

  10:1

• What is the average class size?

  The average class size is 13 students, with some classes of 5–6 and some of 20–30. Courses at Bennington are usually seminar/discussion based.

• What is Field Work Term?

  Field Work Term (FWT) is a seven-week winter term in January and February in which students work full time in jobs, internships, or volunteer positions that complement their studies, clarify their interests, and open possibilities for their future. FWT is required each year of all undergraduates and students of some graduate programs. Click here for some examples of the many places and positions students have explored during Field Work Term.

• What clubs and organizations exist at Bennington?

  There are numerous student organizations on campus. Organizations may change from year to year depending on student interest; starting an organization is easy and encouraged.

  
  

  In addition to organizations on campus, many students are heavily involved in organizations within the College. Becoming a House Chair, House Representative (eco- or community- action), Peer Mentor, representing the Student Educational Policies Committee, or working with the Program Activity Council are some of the ways students shape life on campus. Organizations may change from year to year depending on student interest; starting an organization is easy and encouraged.

• Are there opportunities for community involvement?

  Yes, there are many. The Office of Student Life helps connect students with a variety of volunteer opportunities and community projects. Students have done impressive work in partnership with many community organizations, including PAVE (Project Against Violent Encounters), the 6 Bank Street Homeless Shelter, Four Winds Nature Institute, and local chapters of Habitat for Humanity. The Community Outreach and Action Program holds monthly service day projects, such as river clean-ups or visits to the veterans' home. The Quantum Leap program is a great opportunity for students who are interested in working with at-risk children and teenagers.

• What sports do you offer?

  We offer intramural sports, including soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The Meyer Recreation Barn includes an aerobics room, Olympic and free weights, Nautilus equipment, cardiovascular exercise equipment, a climbing wall, and a sauna. We also have four tennis courts.

• What can you tell me about financial aid?

  Bennington College seeks to provide financial assistance to all families who qualify for financial aid.  Our financial aid process begins with a personal assessment of each applicant's ability to pay. We meet documented need for most students. However we cannot always meet all of a student's documented need.

• Do you guarantee housing for undergraduate students?

  Yes. Housing is guaranteed for all four years. Instead of traditional dormitories, Bennington’s student housing consists of 21 houses that accommodate approximately 30 students each; they are co-educational and integrate new and returning students. Each of the houses has a kitchenette and a spacious living room; most have fireplaces. In 2003, the Princeton Review ranked Bennington third in its "Dorms Like Palaces" category.

• Do you have a study-abroad program?

  Bennington students study around the world, usually through accredited programs hosted by other colleges. Click here to learn more about study abroad options. Bennington is also a charter member of a consortium associated with the School for Field Studies. This program provides students with hands-on educational experience that addresses some of the world’s most critical environmental issues. For one term, students may pursue such topics as marine ecology and management, biogeography, patterns of ecological diversity, and marine mammal biology and conservation in Australia, the Caribbean, Kenya, Mexico, or Costa Rica.

• What do students do after graduating from Bennington?

  Some go to graduate school, law school, medical school, master’s and doctoral programs. Some work in nonprofit organizations, commercial businesses, or government, perhaps continuing work they began during a FWT. Others launch their own businesses and organizations.