Welcome, UWC Davis Scholars!

Applicant Checklist

Bennington requires just a few documents in our application process, with several others that are optional: 

• Common App or Dimensional App
• UWC transcript, including predicted IB scores
• Former secondary school transcript showing two years of grades prior to joining the UWC (if you had a different high school experience and aren’t sure what will be required, please reach out to us!)
• Letter of recommendation from your counselor
• Two letters of recommendation from your teachers
• (Optional) SAT/ACT scores
• (Optional) English proficiency scores
• (Optional) Interview
• (Optional) Supplementary Materials, such as an art portfolio, research paper, independent work, etc.

You will receive access to your full, personalized applicant checklist after you submit the Common App or the Dimensional App.

Application Rounds & Deadlines

Bennington offers four application cycles to students applying for fall admission: Early Decision I, Early Action, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. The choice of which round to use is personal for every student and there are a number of factors to consider, but here are a few pieces of information that might help:

• Early Decision I and Early Decision II are both binding commitments to attend Bennington; if you know we are your #1 choice, this could be the right fit for you!
• Early Action is a great way to receive your admissions decision sooner without the binding commitment of Early Decision.
• Regular Decision’s later deadline gives you more time to get your documents together.
• Our admission rates are generally the same across all of these application rounds, so there is no distinct advantage to applying via ED or EA in that sense.
• Check out our application deadlines and decision release timelines. 

What is Bennington looking for?

Academics are an important part of our application review process; not only do we want to ensure that you can be successful on our campus, we are looking for intellectual curiosity, creativity, and the spark that drives you to learn. These qualities, however, go beyond academics and our admissions counselors also closely review your activities, essays, letters of recommendation, interview, supplemental materials, and anything else in your application that allows us to see your personality and passion. Our biggest piece of advice when completing your app? Make sure that it looks, sounds, and feels like you! We’re excited to get to know you.

Test Scores

• As of the 2022-2023 application cycle, UWC applicants are not required to submit English proficiency scores to Bennington College.
• SAT and ACT scores are optional. You may submit them if you wish, but you will not be at a disadvantage without these scores. Bennington has been a test optional institution since 2005, and we truly do not expect to see test scores for any applicant.

Financial Aid

• At Bennington, we are committed to affordable educational opportunities for every student. In addition to honoring the UWC Davis Scholarship for every UWC student on our campus, we offer generous financial assistance through merit scholarships and need-based financial aid.
• Merit scholarships are awarded during the admissions process based on your academic performance in high school and the overall strength of your application. You don’t have to do anything to apply for these - we will automatically consider you when reviewing your application and the scholarships range from $7,500 to $37,250 per year. 
• Need-based financial aid, in the form of grants and work study jobs on campus, is granted based on your family’s financial circumstances. After you submit the Common App or Dimensional Application, you will receive access to the Bennington College Application for International Student Financial Aid - this is the only form you need to submit to apply for financial aid.
  Note: for U.S. citizens, the process is a bit different - you will need to submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile in order to be considered for need-based financial aid. You can find more information here.

Interviews

• We can’t wait to get to know you during the admissions process and encourage you to attend our virtual events and reach out to us any time. Interviews will be offered by invitation during each admissions round, so you may hear from us regarding an interview appointment after we receive your complete application with all supporting documents.