Posts tagged admissions
I asked my friend Sara Green to answer this one — she’s an expert.
-Alan ‘15
Hey! It’s really neither. Instead what you have is sort of an awkwardness when questions or comments about race are brought up. My experience has been that people would rather not talk about race- students of color and white students alike. Alas, hope is alive! Recently, there has been a small group of students that is creating spaces to talk about race in academic and student-led spaces. I could talk forever about race at Bennington. Email me if you want to keep talking; there are a lot of intricacies in the conversation. (sgreen@bennington.edu)
Bennington doesn’t offer majors, much less double ones. Because of the ‘plan process’, each student develops their own unique program, as it were, specific to his or her own interests. A lot of times these are questions that can be explored through multiple disciplines; its like looking at the same thing through two different vantage points. Other students choose to do something that might be more similar to a ‘double major’ — they right their plan in two different disciplines and choose to keep them separate. If you are worried that you won’t be able to explore all your interests, don’t be. The freedom we have here, in my experience, prevents us from getting too boxed in. (The best way to understand the plan is through examples — check these out)
-Alan ‘15
I have no idea. What does a “higher academic rating” mean? Rating what? What is it based on? Teacher student ratio? Interviews? There are so many different ways to rate academic experience, so I don’t really feel it’s necessary for me to defend Bennington’s educational philosophy (If you ask anybody here, they’ll let you know it’s kicking their butts pretty freaking hard…in a profound way. Have you ever had your butt kicked profoundly?). We’ve received a lot of questions recently about comparing Marlboro to Bennington, and I have to tell you, the best way to compare schools is to go visit them for yourselves — to see and experience them firsthand. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what the Princeton Review has to say. What matters is what YOU have to say, ya digg?
— Parke ‘15
P.S. Why don’t you direct your questions towards the president of Marlboro herself, Ellen — 1969 graduate of Bennington College? https://www.marlboro.edu/about/president/ (she’s our friend)
Specificity. The more we know about you, the better we can decide. Everyone is a great applicant, whether or not they are a fit for Bennington. It’s just a question of how much they offer to us and what of themselves they are willing to share. So don’t be afraid to strut your stuff, yeah?
— Parke ‘15
Okay…I know this picture is from a while ago. But I just found it on my phone and I was like WHOIGHAOIGHOAIG. I definitely don’t miss the winter right now…but it certainly was beautiful. Something to look forward to next year, after I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be consistently frozen. :)
— Parke ‘15
This is how we feel about you leaving us….
No, but it’s so great you’ve found the right place for you! And I know every single one of the interns in the office is always glad to be of help, no matter what you decide to do at the end of this crazy process. May your panda forever contrast the above sad panda. May your panda forever be satisfied. At least until you graduate and have to be a “real adult” panda (scary).
Ok that got weird. But best wishes!
— Parke ‘15
Colors: “Autumnal”
Mascot: Um…well…we do have a font? And I’m fairly sure it’s futura?
— Parke ‘15
The font is actually Neutraface. Designed by a former Bennington faculty Richard Neutra.
- jason ‘13
Take 3: the font is actually Neutra, not Neutraface. Check out the comparison below (the one that says Bennington is Neutra). If you want to talk typography email me! I love typography.
glennish@bennington.edu
-Glennis
Field Work Term is our cooking class. It is when we master the art of ramen, peanut butter and jelly and easy mac. I’m joking, but I’m also not: Bennington doesn’t offer cooking classes, but there is nothing stopping you from using your FWT as a time to explore that interest, either in your own kitchen or working at a restaurant. Actually, I had a friend who did just that her freshman year. Extra-curricularly your hunger for food (is that a pun…I can’t tell) might be fulfilled through the student garden or Bennington Sustainable Food Project. The student’s in each tend to have a culinary flair.
-Alan ‘15
Glad we can help — regardless of where it leads you — though it does break my heart that we are losing someone who is clearly appreciative, perceptive, able to recognize our talents and skills, etc.
-Alan ‘15
Floetic (Alex ‘14), Bennington’s own rapper and R&B star records Ally ‘13 in the Jennings studio.
Liam
Apparently it’s been dead for years, but I think it’s doing pretty good. How are you?
— Parke ‘15
As somebody who studied theatre intensely in high school, I also had to make the decision of deciding between liberal arts and BFA/conservatory. And all I have to say about this is, it really depends on how narrow you want to go — and how early. The theatre department at Bennington is, in my opinion, excellent (and I really am not saying that just because I go here). I’ve worked with a lot of different directors, in a lot of different styles, different rehearsal processes, and I can say that you can absolutely have a fully fleshed out theatre education here. In fact, you may actually be able to learn more aspects of the field, as you won’t be JUST acting or JUST directing or JUST doing design like you might be in a conservatory. Also, because there are students coming from so many varied directions, not everybody has the tunnel vision drive that sometimes happens at conservatories (a drive that tends to push other students out as opposed to promoting collaboration).
Of course, you’re not going to get the same kind of education here as in a conservatory, because you won’t be doing the same thing every day. So if you’re really married to the idea of technical training that happens 24/7, then I don’t think Bennington is the best choice. But if you want multiple disciplines to inform your work, as well as to learn how to use theatre as a tool in order to answer other questions you have, I’d look into Bennington more. In terms of opportunities, the sky’s the limit in terms of classes, student directed/written work, faculty productions, the list goes on. It really is what you make of it here, in every discipline.
I guess the ultimate question is…why do you study theatre? What about it is the most important to you? The community? The craft? The ritual of performance? The text? Theatre as a means of bringing people of different backgrounds together? As a means of exploring the self through others?
— Parke ‘15
Senior Concerts
Forest Purnell ‘13 examines advanced work, senior concerts, and everyone’s favorite intern Riley Skinner in the Bennington Free Press.
Liam
Question: “My financial aid appeal didn’t work. What are some ways I can get more $$$?”
To all the ladies/gents out there who are feeling the pinch in their pockets:
Admissions has been getting a lot of questions/comments like this one as of late, and despite our attempts to tackle them all, they keep cropping up like newborn bunnies. Bunnies freaking out over their FAFSAs. And don’t get me wrong, this makes perfect sense, considering the obvious fact that the financial burden of going to college is a HUGE concern. Nobody wants to spend a boatload of money on their education, and we understand that — considering that we’re all having to figure out how to pay for this brouhaha ourselves! While Bennington does give out quite a bit of financial aid, it’s a complicated process that works on a case by case basis, keeping in mind the whole of the incoming class. Financially, things are always in flux, and it’s hard to pin down *~**how things are going to be~**, even for the students attending here currently. This can be a huge stress, and I totally understand; there are points when I flip out thinking about my own loans getting bigger than they already are.
What I’m trying to explain is that when you say that your financial aid appeal “didn’t work,” you’re conveying a sense that there is something about your financial situation that wasn’t “enough” to warrant aid, or that some financial aid “machine” didn’t process your appeal properly, etc. The financial aid office is comprised of real people, who work with admissions and US GOVMENT (so scurry) to figure out how to dole out the dough. They care about you, particularly here where everything is so personal…trust me. I’ve spoken to them. They care about each and every one of you.
Yes — no worries. The Federal Work Study is provided through the US government, but it doesn’t affect your status in that regard. Because of your age, you’re still considered part of her household, and she can claim you as a dependent on her taxes even though you’re away at college. That’s just my two cents though (har har get it…sorry) — I’m not an accountant or anything. But I am a recipient of FWS and my mother still files my taxes along with her own. Hope this helped, and if you have any more questions, I’d recommend giving our financial aid office a call!
— Parke ‘15
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