Undergraduate Applications FAQ

Can't find your question about undergraduate applications? Call the Office of Admissions' toll free number 800-833-6845 or email admissions@bennington.edu.  

Questions:

• How do I apply?
• What is the application fee? May I obtain a fee waiver?
• Are auditions/interviews required?
• Can I submit examples of my writing, science projects, music, art, etc?
• What is Bennington looking for in an applicant?
• Do I have to submit the SAT? What about the SAT II?
• What are the average SAT scores and GPAs?
• Will I get credit for AP courses?
• Do you give credit for the International Baccalaureate diploma?
• Do you offer scholarships?
• What is the deadline for admission?
• I am applying as a transfer student; what do I need to know?
• Do you have Early Decision or early action?
• I am a home-schooled student; what do I need to submit?

How do I apply? Bennington uses the Common Application (including the personal statement) with an additional Bennington Supplement for all undergraduate freshman and transfer applicants. Both the Common Application and the Bennington Supplement are required.

What is the application fee? May I obtain a fee waiver? The application fee for 2007–2008 is $60. You can pay by credit card if you apply on the Common Application website, www.commonapp.org. If you are unable to pay the application fee, you may request a fee waiver from your college counselor.

Are auditions/interviews required? We prefer to interview all applicants—either on campus, by telephone, or both. We do not offer auditions for any discipline; however, you are welcome to send examples of your work with your application to give us a better sense of your interests. Please note that application materials are not evaluated by faculty.

Can I submit examples of my writing, science projects, music, art, etc? Yes. We welcome any opportunity to learn more about you.

What is Bennington looking for in an applicant? In addition to a student's strong academic history, we are looking for evidence of 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. Your essays, teacher recommendations, school performance and interview will help us evaluate these qualities.

Do I have to submit the SAT? What about the SAT II? Standardized tests are an optional part of the Bennington application process. If you would like to submit scores they must be reported officially from a school or the College Board.

What are the average SAT scores and GPAs? Last year's averages were 1240 and 3.5, respectively. Please note that while a strong transcript is an essential factor in admission, admission decisions reflect consideration of all elements of your application.

Will I get credit for AP courses? Although Bennington does not grant academic credit or specific course exemption for Advanced Placement scores, we consider the level of difficulty of your coursework in evaluating your academic performance. Successful AP work may also enable first-year students to enroll in intermediate-level courses.

Do you give credit for the International Baccalaureate diploma? Bennington recognizes the value of the International Baccalaureate and GCE "A" level work. Students holding either diploma may petition the Dean's Office for credit approval after completing one term of work at Bennington.

Do you offer scholarships? The majority of our resources are allocated to need-based aid; however, a small portion is appropriated to merit awards that are offered to high achieving students. Only applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence throughout their high school careers (i.e. strong GPAs, challenging course load, high SATs, extracurricular involvement, distinctive accomplishment) and have submitted exemplary application materials are considered for merit aid. No separate application materials are necessary in order to receive these awards.

What is the deadline for admission?

• Early Decision Round 1: November 15, notification by mid-December
• Early Decision Round 2: January 3, notification by mid-February
• Regular Decision: January 3, notification by April 1
• Freshman and Transfer applicants for Spring Term: November 15, notification by mid-December
• Transfer applications for Fall Term: March 15, notification by May 1. (Transfer applications for Fall Term are accepted through the summer as space is available.)
• Transfer applications for Spring Term: November 1.

I am applying as a transfer student; what do I need to know? Transfer applicants usually know why they wish to leave their current institution and what they are seeking in another school. Bennington asks that students interested in transferring get to know Bennington during the application process. The question 'why Bennington?' should have as clear an answer as possible from prospective transfer students. As with nontransfer applicants, we require submission of the Bennington Supplement in addition to the Common Application. Please read the Transfer FAQ for additional information.

Do you have early decision or early action? We offer two rounds of early decision. The first deadline is November 15 and the second deadline is January 3. If you are admitted early decision, you are required to withdraw your applications from other institutions.

I am a home-schooled student; what do I need to submit? Home-schooled students should submit the Common Application, the Bennington Supplement, and either the SAT or the ACT. In place of a transcript, you should provide documentation of your studies, including books read, research topics, progress in each subject, and relevant examples of your work. The "Counselor Recommendation" should be written by the person who supervised your studies. In some cases, this is a local teacher, the Board of Education, or a parent. You may submit "Teacher Recommendations" from someone who can attest to your ability to learn, including employers, supervisors of volunteer work, or directors of extracurricular activities. You must also submit an "ability to benefit test," the most common of which is the GED. If you would like information about other available tests, please get in contact with the Office of Admissions.