<p>What are your thoughts about the differences between Bennington and Hampshire (and Sarah Lawrence while you’re at it?). My S is interested in theater, writing and music. He likes the idea of developing his own major. I’d love to know if anyone can describe the differences in campus culture, workload. How good are the respective theater departments?</p>
<p>Any insights are appreciated!</p>
<p>My daughter went to Bennington, so I’m biased in it’s favor. I’ve visit Hampshire however, and I live near Sarah Lawrence, so I can tell you a little about my impressions of them. First, Bennington has the most beautiful campus. Hampshire’s is dreadful. Though Sarah Lawrence has a pretty campus, it’s squeezed between major highways in a not very nice area of Yonkers. (Bronxville, a pretty little town, is a bit of a walk away.) We seriously considered Hampshire for my younger daughter, but we just didn’t buy into the five college system. It seemed that everybody was taking most of their classes somewhere else. It lessened the “college bubble” atmosphere at Hampshire, which my daughter passionately adored at Bennington. I haven’t been much help with academics. I can just say my daughter wrote lots of papers at Bennington and had close relationships with her professors. Oh, and Bennington has an active alumni network here in NY. The work term interships are very helpful in getting jobs after college.</p>
<p>The theater program is very healthy at Bennington also.</p>
<p>My D wants to pursue dance, theater and social sciences. We have visited both Hampshire and Sarah Lawrence (live near the latter). Both have excellent arts facilities and programs and a large emphasis on student run productions, publications, etc. Hampshire kids are very chill, proudly geeky, a strong outdoorsy vibe. SL kids are more self consciously precocious and artsy and the gay vibe is very prominent. SL tour guide was a creative writing major and had gotten impressive internships in NYC. Yonkers does have gritty neighborhoods, but SL is in a very safe area. My D walks home from Metro North train station at 11pm and feels safe (and she is a worry wart) Hampshire does not look at all like a campus, but if you like 60s architecture it is OK. Lovely area. Looking forward to summer visit to Bennington</p>
<p>PS: the music building at SL is a former private mansion-- the most beautiful classroom bldg I have seen on any campus. anywhere. ever.</p>
<p>If you like Bennington, Hampshire, and Sarah Lawrence, I encourage both of you to also look at Bard where my younger daughter ended up. It has great dance and theater, music conservatory if you play an instrument, beautiful campus, and close enough to NYC to take the train in for the day.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your insights. Do you think Hampshire is up to the academic standards of SL and Bennington? And I’m wondering why all three schools have such high acceptance rates?</p>
<p>It can be, but it would be up to you to seek out the challenging classes. I get the impression that it is easy to hang out and do little in the way of traditional academics at Hampshire. As far as admissions rates, these may be the safety schools for people who also apply to places like Brown, Vassar, and Swarthmore. In my daughter’s case, Bennington offered her a large grant, so she went there.</p>
<p>I’m also wondering why Bennington, Hampshire and Sarah Lawrence have such low 6 year graduation rates? I think Bennington’s is 66% and Hampshire’s is even lower.</p>
<p>Hmm, I don’t know. All daughter’s friends graduated in 4 years. She did mention someone that quit the second day of Freshman year. Maybe some kids go into these schools that have very loose requirements thinking it will be a breeze. Then they struggle or else they do nothing and their parents get fed up with paying the tuition.</p>
<p>I don’t know if diversity is important to your daughter or not . But if it is I would go to Hampshire.</p>