International student deciding between studying film at Bennington or Middlebury

Colleges and Universities A-Z Middlebury College
1

<p>Hi,
My name is Vladimir and I am an international student from Bosnia and Herzegovina accepted to both Middlebury and Bennington, and am supposed to decide soon. However, seeing as I don't live in the US, the only way to get a personal, first-hand input for any of these schools is through forums like this one, so I'd be extremely grateful if you could share your experiences and/or observations for these schools on any of the following topics. (I'll write them in ascending order of importance.)</p>

<p>First of all, I'm a smoker, so share with me is there a smoking population at these schools and what are the rules about smoking on campus, or are there pubs or something where it's allowed. I do realize it's bad for me and everything, so this is the least important since I want to quit sometime during college, but I'm still interested. Just realize that smoking is a huge part of the culture in the Balkans, so please try not to judge me based on this.</p>

<p>Second of all, I'm gay and am interested in what is the situation with the gay-dating scene at both schools. I know both are very accepting and liberal, so you don't need to comment on that. Nevertheless, I come from an EXTREMELY conservative and homophobic society, and would enjoy getting to know a milieu where it is completely open and transparent, so where would be a better place to do so? Moreover, I am interested in LGBTQ activism, so please also comment on the excellence and efforts of LGBTQ organizations and initiatives at these schools.</p>

<p>Third of all, I will major in Film and Video/Film or Media at Bennington or Film and Media Culture at Middlebury, so please comment on general quality of courses and MOST IMPORTANTLY the teaching staff in these programs. </p>

<p>Fourth of all, please tell me more about the breadth and presence of alumni from these schools in the field of TV or Film Production.</p>

<p>Fifth of all, I would like to tell you more about me and my interests so you would get a better feeling of what I'm looking for and which school would fit me better.
I am still quite torn between directing and production, but more importantly, between a career in TV of film. Is there any difference between the opportunities for internship (and co-funding for them) in these fields offered at these two schools? </p>

<p>Furthermore, what are the employment opportunities in these fields after I finish my undergraduate studies? Somehow, I got a feeling that Bennington puts more emphasis on internships than Middlebury, so even though Middlebury might be a better school on paper, what is more important when looking for a job. The employment opporrtunities are very important, because my Visa will expire the minute I finish school, so in order to stay in the US, I will already need to find some work in the field by the middle of my senior year.</p>

<p>And lastly, in case I choose to pursue graduate studies, which school offers me a better chance of getting in some program after I graduate?</p>

<p>Finally, I am aware that Middlebury might me a better name on my diploma, but then again, I feel Bennington would be a better fit since I'm quite artsy and don't know if I'd fit in with the WASP, athletic population at Middlebury, so be so kind to comment on that as well.</p>

<p>I will add if I think of something else, but for now, please be so kind to give me your input in ANY of the above topics.</p>

<p>Thank you very much in advance.</p>

<p>Kind regards from Bosnia and Herzegovina</p>

2

<p>Is that ALL you want to ask? Seriously, have you visited either school?</p>

<p>There are differences between the two institutions and I would say the main one is structure. If you are not extremely motivated/driven, Bennington could just facilitate a lot of sitting around contemplating the universe. Plus smoking pot. If that’s your thing, go there.Both have knowledgeable faculty and networking opportunities. Midd will have more requirements and structure, more classes taken out of your field of interest. It is absolutely more “clean-cut” and less hipster, but it is not intolerant.</p>

<p>As for the smoking apology, we aren’t judging you, dear, we are trying to save your life. I am a physician and feel compelled to tell you that maybe being at a school that frowns on smoking could save your life someday. Saying that, there are certainly smokers at Midd. I wouldn’t rule it out on that basis.</p>

<p>So as usual, it’s where you feel more comfortable, not the name. If you need structure, go to Midd. If you have a plan and can follow it, or are independently wealthy and don’t really need to ever have a paying job, maybe you would prefer Bennington.</p>

<p>By the way, congrats on your excellent options!</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your input.</p>

<p>No, I haven’t visited the schools and that is not a possibility for me, seeing as I don’t have enough money to come to the US just to visit them.</p>

<p>Smoking was just a “by-the-way” type of question, it doesn’t really influence my final decision. And pot isn’t my thing, my demons stop at smoking cigarettes :)</p>

<p>"…or are independently wealthy and don’t really need to ever have a paying job, maybe you would prefer Bennington."
This answer troubles me, since my family is quite poor, and I would really need a paying job the minute I finish school, for the income and as I said, in order to obtain a Visa so I could stay in the US after graduating. Does this mean that landing a good job is harder if I choose Bennington?</p>

<p>Moreover, I don’t live in the US, so I don’t have a feeling whether future employers would value experience over name. Because I reckoned that I’d receive more hands-on experience at Bennington, since it requires doing the Field Work Term. Or am I wrong?</p>

<p>Thank you again.</p>

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<p>@KremaBL - OldBatsieDoc really knows what they are talking about. One of the important things to getting a job, not only right out of school, but also later is the network. I think that you will find that the Alumni Network at Midd is far superior to that at Bennington. Also, just because Bennington has something called fieldwork, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do something similar throughout the time you are at Midd. It all depends on how much you want to make things happen. But you do have to go to classes and make things happen. </p>

<p>Bottom line, for what you say you are looking for down the road, I think that Midd is the way to go.</p>

5

<p>Look at the Midd thread “The Scared is Scared”. Try e-mailing the author and ask her what she has to say about doing film at Midd.It’s a great video she made at Midd.</p>

<p>Did you get in anywhere else? Because if you really want film/acting, you should be in NY or LA.</p>

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<p>Middlebury allows students to apply for funding to assist them in the summer if they need to take unpaid internships (which you will have to do in film/communications). My child received this assistance twice. Also, Middlebury has J-term which you can use as another intern opportunity during at least one year (you have to be on campus for 3 J-terms). And the alumni network is excellent and accessible to students. I’ve seen it lead to results. Middlebury is considered by most people you would ask here to provide a better quality education than Bennington.</p>

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<p>Bennington is well connected in the creative fields, always has been. Remember though, that direction in life is not for the faint of heart.</p>