Transfer Credit

First-year Entrants

Applicants who enter Bennington as first-year students have their credit evaluated after submitting their deposit and Intent to Enroll, provided they have submitted official transcripts and/or score reports.

• Beginning with Fall 2024 cohort: first-year entrants may transfer up to 16 credits from any combination of earned college, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A-level, or French Baccalaureate credit. For students who entered Bennington prior to the Fall 2024 academic term, first-year entrants may transfer up to 12 credits from any combination of earned college, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A-level, or French Baccalaureate credit. Transferred credit does not automatically impact one’s anticipated graduation date, nor does it guarantee placement in advanced coursework.

• Beginning with Fall 2023 cohort: For students who have enrolled in an AP curriculum, Bennington may grant credit for exam scores of 4 or 5. Four credits are granted per exam. For students who entered Bennington prior to the Fall 2023 academic term and who completed an AP curriculum, Bennington may grant credit for exam scores of 5 only.

• For students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma or certificate, Bennington may grant credit for scores of 6 or 7 in the Higher Level exams only. Four credits are granted per exam. No credit is granted for Standard Level exams.

• For students who have passed an A Level Exam with a grade of A, four credits may be granted, depending upon the subject. No credit is granted for Ordinary Level exams.

• For students who have completed the French Baccalaureate diploma, Bennington may grant credit for scores of 14-20 when the coefficient is 4 or higher. Four credits are granted per exam.

Transfer Students

Students may apply for transfer admission after graduating from high school and enrolling in an accredited institution of higher learning. Students with associate’s degrees, students who are currently enrolled in college, and students who have withdrawn from another degree program, at any point in the past, are considered transfer students.

The maximum number of allowable credits for transfer applicants is 64 credits, or the equivalent of 2 years of study. Transfer students must complete at least 64 credits at Bennington, for a total of 128 credits, in order to receive a Bennington diploma.

Admitted transfer students may defer entry for up to one year with the approval of the Admissions Committee, provided they do not earn any additional credit before enrolling at Bennington. Deferred transfer students who enroll elsewhere will be required to reapply for admission

Current Bennington Students

Students requesting transfer credit for coursework or college-level exams completed prior to enrollment but not reviewed during the admissions process should send an official transcript of their coursework to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation. Current students who would like to complete coursework at another institution to apply towards the progress of their Bennington degree should complete the Transfer Credit Application and return it to the Office of the Registrar for approval prior to registration in those courses. Students must earn a grade of C or above to transfer credit. Bennington does not transfer grades, course titles, or grade points from other institutions; only credits are transferred. All credits are evaluated in relation to the student’s academic plan of study. An accumulation of credits alone does not qualify a student for a particular term status or early graduation.

Transferable Credit

Transferable courses must be within the liberal arts curriculum as determined by Bennington. No credit is granted for technical engineering classes, basic math classes (pre-college preparation), nutrition classes, physical education classes, speech classes, or study skills classes, including many first-year seminars. Credit for pre-professional courses is rarely granted. Business courses may be considered for transfer with approval of the student's advisor and/or Plan Committee.

Bennington does not grant “life experience” credit, nor do we grant credit for internships. Credit earned by examination is not eligible for transfer. Awarding of credit for independent study, online or distance learning courses at another accredited institution is dependent on review of a syllabus and other supporting materials.

Transferable credit includes only those courses for which students have received a grade of C or better.  Grades of C- are not eligible. If a student has received several Cs, this may affect their placement in the Plan Process, or may prompt their Plan Committee to require the student to spend more time at Bennington in order to graduate. Ungraded or Pass/Fail courses will only be considered for credit if the institution’s transcript guide lists passing credit as equivalent to a grade of C or above.

Transfer credit for work done at foreign institutions may need to be submitted to the Center for Educational Documentation for their recommendation. Students will be notified upon receipt of their transcript if a CED evaluation is required, and the applicant is responsible for submitting their transcript(s) to CED. The cost for this outside evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant. The Center normally requires at least one month to process applications. The College makes the final determination of credits eligible for transfer.