<p>Hello everyone, I have a question. What is Bennington College like beyond what it says on their website or their paperwork? Is there anything you might have wanted to know before you attended Bennington College? Is there anything I should know about the school that may not have been covered in the paperwork? I guess what Im asking is: what is the real Bennington College like?</p>
<p>My daughter goes there, so I can tell you what she tells me. If you have specific questions, ask. Some things I’ve learned about: boys and girls share the same bathrooms and even walk in and out when you are showering (but nobody cares), Kilpat is the rowdiest house, friends get really close and support each other absolutely, classes require lots of writing, but if you work hard it’s because you want to, nobody makes you. I’m not really sure what you want to know. Also, my sister went there many years ago, so I know that there’s a very tight knit alumni community, especially in New York City. That’s especially useful when you’re looking for a job for field work term.</p>
<p>I am a parent of a prospective. I visited with DD, and had conversations with an admissions counselor and a number of students and faculty. DD has had several interviews with adm counselor. Take what I say with the caveat that my direct experience with Benn is limited to that one visit, discussions with daughter, and much reading. What I would say is that because of the size of the school, the nature of the student body, and the plan system, the level of engagement among students and faculty is higher than it is at more mainstream LACs. Classes are really small, and I think students are more intellectual (by that I mean more interested in ideas for their own sake, not that students are necessarily smarter) than at most LACs. Not much place to hide.</p>
<p>From what I understand cell phone service is very limited there.</p>
<p>Does anyone have an opinion as to how Bennington compares with New College of Florida?</p>
<p>SLUMOM, Verizon works but reception is spotty. If I need to have an important conversation with my d, I call her on her land line. It costs $50 a year (or semester?) to have a phone in the room.</p>
<p>I heard somewhere that there were no tests or exams at Bennington, in addition to no grades. Is this true?</p>
<p>Hmmm. I actually have never heard my daughter mention tests, so maybe not. She does have to write lots of papers, and much of the evaluations come from those. I remember freshman year she took a math class that had lots of problem sets assigned, but she wasn’t into it, so she dropped that class. Most of her classes are of the sort that can’t be tested; there are no right or wrong answers, just learning.</p>
<p>My son is a junior. AT&T has mostly been OK with coverage. We have never used the land line to call him, only his cell. Like all colleges, some of his classes have been more challenging than others. Overall it has been an excellent experience. He has had many opportunities that might not have been available in a larger, more structured environment. He took some classes that he probably would not have been able to fit in in a more traditional structure. He discovered a new passion and has decided to double major. He was able to change his faculty adviser easily when he became more focused on his plan and has received lots of help and support from his professors.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any thoughts on why exactly the retention and graduation rates are so low? It makes me worry that unless you’re absolutely sure what you want to study, you’re going to flounder. I really want to go to Bennington, but these stats scare me. Maybe they’re common for LACs…but any thoughts would be nice.
First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 83%
Transfer Out Rate: 27%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 49%</p>
<p>My daughter has known several people who have left school, but they had emotional problems and didn’t want to be in school anywhere, not just Bennington. I can imagine kids transfering out who want a more conventional school environment, or who want to study something not offered. But if Bennington has what you want, and you want to be there, you’ll graduate. Except, if you’re like my daughter, you’ll never want to leave. She is going to be very sad next spring when she graduates.</p>
<p>Speaking as someone who transferred out of Bennington, there are many more downsides to the school than people usually talk about. The administration can be hostile to students if what the student wants or needs doesn’t fit with what the administration wants. The small class sizes can be great, if you can get into the classes - it can be really difficult, and the registration process is very confusing. They don’t really try to guarantee that you can get into any classes, it’s up to the student to chase down professors and beg. Sometimes it felt like not so much a lack of structure as a giant free-for-all where only the loudest and the most talented came out victorious.</p>
<p>The life on campus is very cushy, though, much more so than at an average college. The dining hall food is pretty good, the dorms are big, and there are a lot of parties. That said, if you’re not someone who feels comfortable pushing and shoving to get the things you want, I wouldn’t recommend Bennington.</p>
<p>Did anyone else have problems registering or getting classes? Is there a difference between registering for freshman year or later years?</p>
<p>Newyorker - How long did you attend Bennington? Was it a problem every semester? Where are you now (is it a similar style school or something very different?)</p>
<p>Yes, there’s a big difference. I’m guessing newyorker transfered out before gaining much seniority. Since my daughter didn’t start out as a painting student, she had trouble getting into a painting class as a sophomore. By the spring semester, she got a class and has had no trouble since. From what I hear, most schools have the same problem: limited spaces in popular classes.</p>
<p>I left after a year, it was a problem both semesters. I had pretty lengthy discussions with advisors about this, they pretty much told me that there wasn’t really an easy way to get into classes. They said once you get into your plan process, if you explain why you need a class to fit into your Plan, you can get your advisor to advocate to let you into it. But I heard plenty of upperclassmen complaining about getting closed out of things they really really wanted, including one who had a very good reason for why the class fit her Plan, who ended up getting closed out by freshmen. </p>
<p>That said, you might be able to get what you want, especially if the classes that interest you aren’t that popular. It’s just chaotic sometimes. If you like order and things making sense all of the time, I would step back and carefully examine your choice to attend the school. The people who do better at Bennington, from what I’ve seen, are the ones who enjoy talking their way into things. I’m not saying the school sucks, just trying to steer people away from making the same mistake I did. I’m at a much cheaper school now with a similar vibe to Bennington and much more structure (i.e. there is a clear system whereby the more credits you have, the better shot you have at getting a class).</p>
<p>How hard is it to get accepted to Bennington?</p>
<p>Newyorker, You’re probably right. My daughter is a big talker and charming, I imagine that helps.
Carlo, You need to stand out in some way. Your SATs won’t matter too much, but your grades will. Write a wonderful essay and try to get an interview.</p>