Transfer Student FAQ

Can't find your question about transfer students? Call the Office of Admissions' toll free number 800-833-6845 or e mail admissions@bennington.edu.

Questions:

• What qualities does Bennington look for in transfer applicants?
• Will the course credits I have earned at my current school be accepted by Bennington?
• Does my high school record play a role in my admission as a transfer student?
• May I get in contact with faculty about my areas of interest before making a decision to transfer to Bennington?
• What kind of support is available for students transferring into the College?
• Is housing guaranteed for transfer students?
• What happens to my financial aid if I transfer?
• Do transfer students participate in FWT?
• How can I do "The Plan" if I am entering Bennington as a sophomore or junior?
• Do you have a career center? How do you help students get into graduate school?

What qualities does Bennington look for in transfer applicants? We look for many of the same qualities in transfer students that we seek in all Bennington applicants: a strong academic record, self-motivation, curiosity, a passion for reading, writing, and thinking. In addition, because transfer students have begun their formal higher education, we also expect transfer applicants to have a more formed sense of what they are looking for in a college. We are interested in understanding not only why you are leaving/have left a previous institution, but also why you would like to come to Bennington.

Will the course credits I have earned at my current school be accepted by Bennington? Transcripts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the time of admission. Transferable courses must be in the liberal arts curriculum, with a grade of C or better (C- is not eligible). Bennington does not grant life experience credit.

Does my high school record play a role in my admission as a transfer student? Yes. While your current work is most indicative of the work you will do at Bennington, we do look at high school records to help provide a fuller sense of your academic and extracurricular background.

May I get in contact with faculty about my areas of interest before making a decision to transfer to Bennington? We encourage you to get in touch with faculty members as well as current students who work in your areas of interest. The best way to reach students or faculty is to email them. Faculty bios, organized by discipline and including email addresses, can be found here. Email current students through the "Ask a Student" page.

What kind of support is available for students transferring into the College? Upon admission to Bennington, each student is assigned an academic advisor as well as a peer advisor. While the academic advisor is the best resource for planning a course of study, peer advisors provide guidance transitioning into the residential life of the College. In addition, the Office of Student Life and House Chairs are available to assist new students.

Is housing guaranteed for transfer students? Yes. All Bennington undergraduates are guaranteed housing. The only students who are not required to live on campus are students over 25, married students/domestic partners, or students with children.

What happens to my financial aid if I transfer? Financial aid awards are determined by looking at your CSS Profile, FAFSA, and tax returns. The amount of your award will be determined separately from previous awards you may have received.

Do transfer students participate in FWT? Yes. All Bennington undergraduates participate in Field Work Term and all transfer students must complete at least one Field Work Term for every full year of attendance at Bennington. If a student transfers in as a first-term sophomore, three FWTs are required; a student who transfers in as a junior is required to fulfill two FWTs. Students who begin in the spring term do not do a FWT prior to their arrival at Bennington, but should meet with the Director of FWT upon arrival to discuss their FWT requirements.

How can I do "The Plan" if I am entering Bennington as a sophomore or junior? The Plan is a format through which students structure their interests and design their course of study regardless of when they enter the College. Bennington faculty advisors work closely with transfer students to determine how they can put a Plan together that both meets the student's needs and has the highest level of academic integrity.

Do you have a career center? How do you help students get into graduate school? Bennington's career center is housed in the Field Work Term Office. The FWT office is the primary resource on campus to help with planning for after graduation. The Office provides various career exploration and job search resources, job postings, individual career counseling, and workshops. Bennington students have found that the process of finding and securing a FWT position is an excellent practicum for entering the formal job market. Students are frequently offered paid or full-time positions by their FWT employers upon graduation: e.g., in the Class of 2005 more than a third of graduating students were offered positions post-graduation at their FWT jobs.

Graduate school planning, including applying for post-grad fellowships, is a joint undertaking between the student, his or her academic advisor, the student's Plan committee, and the Dean's Office. Bennington graduates attend a range of graduate schools and programs.