First-Year Experience

First-Year Counseling

Each entering first-year student is assigned to a faculty advisor and also has access to a first-year counselor in Academic Services. The first-year counselor can provide support to accepted students and their families as they prepare for their arrival at Bennington College and throughout their first year on campus.

Through a series of individual meetings, skill building workshops, academic and social programming, and a weekly newsletter, we aim to connect first-year students with the people, programs, and resources available at Bennington.

First-year counselors work collaboratively with faculty advisors to assist new students as they acquire an emerging understanding of the capacities of a Bennington education, the Plan Process, the student/faculty advising relationship, work/life balance, what it means to engage inclusively with community members and the world at large, and campus resources.

At the conclusion of the first year, students are ready to move on to their second year and beyond, where they will continue to build their understanding of the many resources and opportunities available to them at Bennington.

International Students

The Academic Services office also provides services specifically designed for International Students. Find out more information about applying to and attending Bennington as an International Student. 

Information for First-Year Parents & Families

Welcome to Bennington! We hope that you will use the parent’s page to learn more about your student’s college experience.

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