Posts tagged Amira

Here are the official guidelines for teacher recommendations found in the “Apply” section of our website:

We Require teacher recommendations from teachers of at least two different subject areas. Choose from English, mathematics, foreign languages, science, and social studies. You may submit additional recommendations from other teachers, mentors, and employers. (Use the form provided by the Common Application.)

We would definitely accept a recommendation from your Religion teacher in addition to the recommendations from the other subject areas listed above!

-Amira

Incoming freshman pick their classes for the upcoming semester the summer before they get here (around mid-July). This is one of my favorite favorite parts of The Plan Process because the only real guidelines for choosing classes are to 1) read the entire curriculum beforehand 2) try to make sure there are no time conflicts in the classes you choose. And this is the most exciting part: we don’t have general ed. requirements, so you choose classes that first year according to what you love to do and what inspires you! You’re encouraged to take a wide range of classes, so maybe you try something new, and step out of your comfort zone a little bit.

Hope this helps!

-Amira 

Wow, well, there are so many reasons that I love the photo program here (I study photography & sculpture), but I’ll narrow it down to these three:

1. The Faculty
2. The Facilities
3. The Courses

1. The photography teachers here are incredible. As you might know, Bennington employs a “teacher as practitioner” model, which basically means that our art teachers are all still working artists. They are actively creating, installing, curating. In addition to this simply being a really cool way to discover new work (Click here to watch an interview with one of our amazing photo teachers, Liz Deschenes, talking about her work in the Whitney Biennial ) it also brings a sort of “real world” insight to each class, which is a really cool way of learning and provides context for making and presenting work. Click to see work by photo teacher Jonathan Kline and visiting photo teacher Elizabeth White.

2. When I think back to when I first visited Bennington, one of the things that stood out most about my tour was seeing the photo facilities, and being blown away by the potential they held. In VAPA we have a traditional B&W group darkroom with three individual enlarger stations, three private darkrooms for processing film, a traditional analog color darkroom (an old school process for sure), and alternative processes darkroom with a taller enlarger for making mural prints as well as bigger trays and sinks for less conventional darkroom techniques (cyanotypes, etc.), a digital “lightroom” equipped with flatbed scanners, printers, photoshop & bridge, and an entire lighting studio with backdrops and all the equipment. Check out my photoset of all these spaces here. Additionally, our Photo Technician, Jon Barber will rent out photo equipment (woohoo large format!) to students with photo experience.

3. Lastly, the photo classes that we offer are enlightening and rewarding and inspiring. Even in an introductory level class which is largely assignment-based, your teachers value and welcome a personal artistic insight and aesthetic. From your beginnings in Photo Foundations to wherever you end up, you are not only creating your own work, but are participating in all-class critiques and presentations as well.  

Hope this helps!

-Amira ‘13

lol i liek studyin art n photo n marine biology cuz they r sooooooOOOoOOooOO fun!!!!!!!1!1! my advisor betsy sherman says i am her #1 princess. when i gorw up i want to be a science or maybe a dolphin. u can see some of my art @ this website. http://cargocollective.com/amirahankin

thxxx lub yaa!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo AmIrA ‘13 xoxoxoxoxoxox

Yes, the shuttle to Albany is available at the beginning and end of each term, as long as you reserve a spot in advance.

In terms of places for visitors to stay, there are many great spots all around town. Some staff favorites are: The Four Chimneys Inn, The Eddington House, The Alexandra Inn, and of course the Hampton Inn.

-Amira ‘13

The library as a whole is typically open until midnight each night during the week or until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. The reading room, however, which has a separate entrance in the back and is filled with cozy little study spaces IS open all night until 5 am.

-Amira

Hello!

1. I think your best bet is the Bennington website for info regarding everything from academics/the plan to housing and student resources. Our curriculum can also be found online under the “students” section of the website.

2. I’d be happy to chop yer hair when you get here! Trade you a haircut for some sweet potato fries w/ mayo anytime (you’re on your own for shampooing though). 

-Amira ‘13

We have a traditional B&W darkroom/film processing rooms, an analog color darkroom (one of the last!), an alternative processes darkroom (bigger enlarger/tubs for mural printing, etc.), a digital “lightroom” (equipped with photoshop, scanners, and large printers), and a complete lighting studio. I’ll do a photoset early next week…check back for pics!

-Amira ‘13

You sure can! In fact, I’d definitely recommend shipping larger items like bedding ahead of time. After talking to the post office I learned that you may begin shipping your things any time this summer (to your new Bennington address!!*). Simply write “Incoming Freshman” somewhere on the box and the post office will hold it in the back until you arrive to pick it up. Another tip: make sure to check for media rates when shipping books…it makes it a lot cheaper!

-Amira ‘13

*YOUR FULL NAME

Bennington College

One College Drive

Bennington, Vermont

05201