FAQs

FAQs: Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program

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• Is this a Certificate-granting program?

  Yes.

• How long is the program?

  Bennington’s Postbac Program is one year. It begins and ends in June. Students are advised to prepare for and take the MCAT during the summer following completion of the program.

• What is the size of the program?

  Enrollment is generally 8 to 12 students.

• What are the requirements to apply to your program?

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Bachelor’s degree at time of enrollment
  • Demonstrated interest in some area of medicine or healthcare
  • Few or no previous science courses
  • Online application

• Do you require ACT, SAT or GRE scores?

  ACT, SAT or GRE scores will be considered if they are submitted but are optional.

• What do you look for in a student?

  In addition to a past strong academic record in another field culminating in a Bachelor’s Degree, we look for applicants who can demonstrate a compelling interest in the medical field. Volunteer or paid work experience as an EMT, work in a clinic or ER, shadowing a Doctor or other experiences that demonstrate that interest is beneficial.

  We also look for the applicant who will thrive in a small and personal academic setting with a hands-on participatory approach.

  We expect good interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, independence, motivation and passion.

• Do you accept foreign students?

  Yes, but we encourage applicants to look into the challenges that exist in getting accepted into US medical schools.

• What is the application deadline?

  Admissions are rolling and generally begin in September for the following summer but early application is beneficial. The closing deadline to apply is April 1. Online application.

• What is the medical school acceptance rate of students who have completed Bennington’s Postbac program?

  Our alums have been accepted into many of the most prestigious medical schools in the country at a rate of 95%.

• Does Bennington have any linkages to medical schools?

  Bennington does not have affiliations with any medical schools. Our students enjoy the flexibility of choosing the school that is the best fit, and our alums have been accepted into many prestigious medical schools. After a year of focused study, we consider the glide (or application) year to be a good opportunity for program alums to prepare for and take the MCATs while devoting time to gaining further hands-on experience in the field, thereby getting a better sense of their career possibilities and the medical profession in general.

• What if I have taken most of the required courses as an undergrad?

  We do not accept students who have fulfilled most of the course requirements needed for admission to medical school. Exceptions can be made if those courses were taken over five years ago.

• Can I enroll to enhance my academic record?

  No. Bennington’s program is for either recent graduates who have decided on a career path other than their major or established professionals who wish to make a career change. Candidates will have a strong academic record but will not have taken the science and math courses required to apply to medical or other health profession schools.

• What kind of academic advising and support will I find at Bennington?

  From the moment you arrive on campus you will find support for every aspect of your postbac experience- as well as your glide year to come. Because of the small size of our program and thus the small student/teacher ratio, we can and do offer highly individualized support during and after the program, assisting you in finding work and volunteer opportunities, exploring career options, advising during the medical school application process and more. The Director of the program teaches chemistry and will be your advisor.

• What is Field Work Term and is it a mandatory part of the program?

  Field Work Term (FWT) is a seven-week winter term in January and February in which students can choose to leave campus to work in jobs, internships, or volunteer positions here or abroad. Students are strongly encouraged to explore an area of medicine or research that is of particular interest to them and to which they may not have had much exposure. Bennington’s faculty, staff and alumni are available to assist you in making choices and connections.

  Possibilities can be as varied as taking an EMT Wilderness course to working in a traditional Chinese clinic in China, assisting in medical research projects or volunteering at an AIDS clinic.

• What financial aid options are available to me?

  Federal grants are not available to students who have earned an undergraduate degree. Students typically fund the postbac year through a combination of federal Stafford and private alternative loans. Parents of dependent students may borrow a federal PLUS loan. For more information about loans, please visit the loans pages or contact the Office of Financial Aid.

  Bennington also offers a limited number of merit-based institutional grants to highly qualified applicants. These awards are distributed at the discretion of the admitting committee. No separate application is necessary.

• What housing is available?

  College housing is offered for the summer term. Students have the option of securing private rooms in a house (on or near campus) with a shared kitchen and common areas. The Office of Student Life can assist you in finding other housing options in the vicinity of the campus. There are several rental options available within walking or cycling distance of campus and students often opt to share rentals for the fall and spring terms.

• What opportunities exist for volunteering or working in the medical or social fields?

  In addition to the program’s relationship with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where there are many opportunities for shadowing and volunteer work, 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, Bennington Free Clinic, and local chapters of Habitat for Humanity. The Quantum Leap program is a great opportunity for students who are interested in working with at-risk children as well as the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

• What can I expect to find on campus and in the Bennington area?

  Bennington sits at the foot of the Green Mountains in the southwest corner of Vermont, right on the borders of New York and Massachusetts. The town of Bennington has a population of 16,000 and is known for its historic covered bridges, dairy farming and thriving maple sugar industry. Surrounded by lakes, rivers, ponds and mountain hiking trails, Bennington is famous for its spectacular scenery. There are many cultural events that take place in and around the Bennington area, and several ski resorts are less than an hour away.  Hiking and cycling are popular area activities. In addition, Bennington is an easy trip to many cultural centers: Albany, NY is a 50-minute drive, Williamstown, MA: 20 minutes, New York City: 3 ½ hours, Boston: 3 hours, Burlington, VT 3 hours. Bennington’s campus is a rich and multi-cultural liberal arts environment. From classical concerts to jazz and alternative café performances, dance and theatre performances, art shows, lectures, workshops and readings, there is always much to choose from outside the classroom.