current students talks!

allthosethings · 10-22-2006, 09:16 AM

I am currently a sophomore at Bennington and just wanted to try to answer any questions (that I can!) about the school.

kreipignio · 10-22-2006, 09:57 PM

hi im a junior in high school and am thinking of applying to bennington. it looks like a really cool school, but i was just wondering what the people are like(students and professors) and how the general life there is. is there good social life? thank you for your help!

allthosethings · 10-23-2006, 07:37 AM

I have found the students to be open and friendly. There are many different types of people here, and while I wouldn't call them "cliques" there are groups of friends. I have found it easy to have friends in many different groups and to move among them all. There are very serious students, partiers, nerds, the whole gamut. Many of the students and professors are brilliant. Because the school is small we work very closely with professors and therefore have the opportunity to get a lot of real experience in different fields, not just in the classroom. Our professors are practitioners, and so you often get to "practice" whatever they are doing with them. Field work term was the main reason that I came here though, and it is a really incredible way to graduate with a resume. I have already had two jobs in my field of interest, (one fwt and one summer) and so as I apply for the next one coming this January, my resume looks pretty strong. I don't want to make this post too long, but if there are any more specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.

davincicodes · 11-13-2006, 12:39 PM

Hello allthosethings,
I am applying to Bennington, but I am an international student. Furthermore I will be needing financial assistance.

My stats are something like this..

Could you tell me my chances, Please!!!

High School , I ranked 11 out of 91. ( In the best school of the country).
Subjects studied - Physics, Chemistry and Economics As, Maths - B and General Paper - c. Thinking Skills (independently studied) scored an a.

SAT I - yet to take. in december.

SAT II - 760, 740, and 690. (Had taken last yr, got screwed up, will retake in January)..

ECAs -

President of SFON Kathmandu Chapter and Budhanilkantha Chapter.
House Captain class 10
Deputy House Captain, Class A2.
Projects - Computer donation projects in remote areas of Nepal, Fund raising for the Janaandolan #2 and stuff.
National Quiz Champion of Nepal . (The biggest event on quiz held in Nepal which saw the participation of over 2500 schools from the country).
Participations in essay writing, and speaking and other many contests and bagged many prizes.
Conferred the titles All Rounder of the Year, and Master Summit by the School.
Worked as a counselor in an A Levels School, and a teacher.
Rover Scout.
Helped in the organization of the 3rd SAF Scout Camp held in Nepal.

etc. etc. etc.

Could you tell me how do I rate with Bennington's standards?

allthosethings · 11-13-2006, 11:06 PM

Davincicodes--With a school like Bennington it can be really hard to guess chances with just numbers. They really try to go for a good fit, so your essay and interview are important. That said, your numbers look good and I think the fact that you did an independent study (if I understood that right) is really in your favor, as is the fact that you seem to be interested in math and science.

davincicodes · 11-14-2006, 12:15 PM

Thanks allthosethings. I am an international student from Nepal, and I will also be applying for financial aid. Will this significantly reduce my chances of being accepted in Bennington?

Will there be interviews for international students??

Thanks,

allthosethings · 11-14-2006, 04:52 PM

Many people require financial aid, so I wouldn't worry about that hindering your chances of getting in, but I don't know how much you can count on. I would think that being from Nepal might be a plus, as all schools like to feel that they are drawing students from many places. I am from America, but too far to interview, so I did a phone interview. Truthfully, I don't know what they will do in your case. You can call/email admissions and ask them all of these questions, they are very open, and you actually start to develop a relationship with someone in the office that way. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but admissions in general can be something of a mystery. Let me know if there is anything you would like to know about being a student at Bennington, that I know about!