Common Questions About Bennington
From BenningtonWiki
For prospective students. READ THIS FIRST.
Bennington is like a wonderful cave of treasures guarded by a Sphinx fond of concepts and lines of poetry. I will be your secret helper and give you the answers to the most-asked questions about our fair Benn.
How is the _____ program? [And what about the writing program?]
First, let's get one thing straight: there are no hard-and-fast programs at Bennington. One of the joys of the Bennington educational model is that it doesn't say 'An art student's education looks like this. An education student's education looks like this.' You may concentrate in the same area as your roommate and never take the same classes. That said, here is a list of disciplines offered. Our curriculum is fluid, progressive, and will likely include at least one of your dream courses. However, if you are convinced that you can 'major in anything' here, you are probably thinking of some faker school like Antioch.
As far as the 'writing program' goes: The Bennington literature faculty hold fast to the philosophy that writers are readers. You are taught by working, professional writers who know a great deal about literature, and you will be reading books in any literature class you take, even if it's a writing workshop. There is less of a focus here on writing workshops, because how good can you get with a bunch of other young writers? Believe me, you need to be reading. There are myriad opportunities in every lit class to write to your little heart's desire. And, guess what! You can also write outside of class.
Is it true that there aren't any grades? Do I have to take math?
Like I mentioned above, Bennington features a unique educational structure called The Plan. So, there aren't any core requirements that exist for everyone, although if you want to concentrate in Physics, yeah, you'll need to take some math. Bennington professors grade using the narrative evaluation form, which is a page long and discusses the class itself, its workload, and your performance in the class in great detail. You can request grades, as well.
How's financial aid?
The Financial Aid department at Bennington is telling the truth when they say that they work with every family individually. However, that does not mean that every family will get their dream package. The College offers grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and information on loans. You should not automatically discount your chances to attend Bennington because of finances. Unlike some evil institutions, admissions are need-blind. I will give you some advice and tell you to start looking for outside sources of aid, but that's good policy anyway.
What are the houses like?
Every house at Bennington has its own distinct personality, formed by its smoking policy, its quiet hours (or lack thereof) and the kind of people who choose to live there. As a freshman, you will live with a roommate, but juniors and seniors are informally guaranteed single rooms. All houses are co-ed and house students of each year of study. They are generally spacious, well-constructed, aesthetically pleasing and clean. Ish.
Do you have [this club]?
Do not make your decision on Bennington on whether or not we have a club you want. Here's the thing: if we don't have fencing or claymation or baking or butterfly-collecting club, you can start it when you get here. Bennington is remarkably flexible and accessible for any student wishing to start an on-campus organization. If you just want to get involved, even freshmen are invited to participate in a ton of activities, from the Bennington Free Press to Film Society.
What are the students like?
We're like you. Or not like you. We're poets, academics, sculptors, filmmakers, drama queens, homebodies, party animals, in-bed-by-9ers, close talkers, jerkfaces, mommy figures, supergeniuses, spoiled rich kids, up-by-the-bootstraps social climbers, and probably anything else you could think of. However, we are not boring, and we are not lazy. A successful Bennington student is flexible, self-motivated, innovative, curious, determined, and generally funny. If you've already gotten this far into Bennington, chances are you'll like it here.
Is it really like [this Bret Easton Ellis novel]?
No.
Now, if you still haven't found the answer to your question, continue on and make a post. Or check out the school's site here--there's plenty of good information on there. Good luck and what's up from Bennington. Or at least me.
