Application Requirements

Applying to Bennington

At Bennington, our goal is to make the application process as easy as possible for students. We know that you are much more than the sum of your application components. We also never want fees or other unnecessary requirements to impede an interested student from applying. 

Here are some of the ways we designed our application to support these goals:

  • No application fee. The  or are both free to apply!
  • Optional and No-Harm Testing policies (see below for more info)
  • No supplemental essays or other requirements. We read your personal statement, and we interview a growing number of applications. 
  • Optional portfolio-sharing opportunities. We love creative work, and we review every portfolio we receive鈥攂ut it鈥檚 entirely your choice if you want to share your work!
  • Generous financial aid. Learn more about Bennington鈥檚 need- merit-based financial aid policies here! 

We know you鈥檝e worked hard on your application, and we鈥檙e eager to get to know you through that process.  Read on for more information, and reach out if you have questions!

We require

  •  or , based on your preference.
  • 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 Application.
  • School report, including secondary school counselor evaluation, as well as all school transcripts. Use the form provided by the Application.

We encourage, but do not require

  • Supplementary materials. When we receive your Application, we will email you instructions for accessing your personal application status page, which you can use to upload supplemental materials.
  • An interview. These one-on-one conversations with an admissions counselor, student intern, or alumni volunteer allow us time to get to know you, to hear about your goals and interests, and to learn about the questions that drive you and your work. Likewise, these discussions are a good opportunity for you to ask us about Bennington. Schedule time with us while you鈥檙e visiting campus, while we鈥檙e visiting your high school or in your area for a local college fair, or arrange time for a virtual interview. You can request to or plan a .
    Please note: for international students (applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents), interviews will be offered by invitation only each application round. If there is further information we need from you or questions we would like to ask, you may receive an invitation to interview after you submit your completed application.
  • Applicants are welcome to record a GLIMPSE video. Glimpse is an opportunity to share a 60-90 second video helping us to get to know you better. For more information about Glimpse, please visit the Glimpse website . Currently, Glimpse is only available for US students attending high school in the United States. For consideration in the Bennington admissions process, Glimpse videos must be submitted by your chosen application deadline.

Testing Policy

Test-Optional

At Bennington, it is entirely your choice whether to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application. If you choose not to share your scores, you will not be penalized in our process鈥攈owever, please read on to learn about our No-Harm Testing policy (and yes, we mean it).

No-Harm Testing

In addition to being test-optional, Bennington has a No-Harm Testing policy when considering SAT or ACT scores in your application. This means that the SAT or ACT scores you submit will only be used in our review if they will positively affect your chance of admission. SAT or ACT scores that might negatively impact an admission decision will not be considered in our review process. This policy applies to all undergraduate applicants鈥攄omestic, international, and transfer.

Self-Reported Testing

During the application process, we accept self-reported or official scores for all testing. Please visit your Applicant Status page to upload an unmarked, easy-to-read copy of your scores (via download, email, or screenshot) from the official test score provider. We will also accept scores provided by your high school counselor of record.

Note: If a student is admitted and chooses to matriculate, we will request an official copy of all self-reported scores. Only official scores can be considered for transfer credit requests.

English Language Testing

English language testing is required for international students if both of the following are true:

  • You attend a school where the main language of instruction is not English
  • Your First/Primary language is not English

In other words, you do not need to submit English testing if you have been enrolled for 3 years (or more) at a school whose primary language of instruction is English, or if you consider English your First/Primary language. For English language testing, we accept TOEFL, IELTS, or DET (Duolingo)鈥攖hese tests are also covered under our Self-Reported Testing policy. 

Interviews for international students are offered by invitation only.

Bennington's Application Codes

  • SAT code: 3080
  • ACT code: 4296
  • GRE code: 3080
  • Common Application code: 3080
  • CSS/Profile code: 3080
  • TOEFL code: 3080
  • FAFSA code: 003682