火爆社区

Bennington College emphasizes a 鈥淪ocratic, discussion-driven classroom structure,鈥� meaning 鈥渢here are almost no traditional lecture classes or seminars鈥� (with a few exceptions, like neuroscience). On the whole, these 鈥渟mall and generally engaging鈥� classes provide 鈥渆xcellent, hands-on opportunities to use their knowledge in a field that moves them,鈥� helping them better understand 鈥渨hat their strengths are in the working world.鈥� This approach is supported by Bennington鈥檚 distinctive Plan process, which eschews official majors in favor of a program tailored 鈥渢oward the individual student鈥檚 interests and goals.鈥� Students note that those who benefit the most from this educational model tend to be 鈥渟elf-driven, focused, and have a clear idea of how to apply one鈥檚 learning beyond Bennington.鈥� In other words, the school鈥檚 鈥渁daptable and creatively rigorous鈥� Plan process is 鈥渆xactly what you make of it.鈥� Another hallmark of a Bennington education is its nearly 100-year-old Field Work Term program, during which students spend six weeks each year in what the school calls a 鈥渉igh-impact learning experience,鈥� ranging from internships to independent research. In this independent, yet supportive environment, it鈥檚 assuring to hear that the professors 鈥渁ll love teaching, are enthusiastic about our contributions to courses.鈥� These teachers 鈥渕ake learning fun and engaging in a way that encourages deep and critical thinking as well as providing resources and opportunities to students who ask for them.鈥� Ultimately, the school works to 鈥渟upport and nurture the endeavors of every student,鈥� and as Bennington鈥檚 biggest fans put it, these 鈥渓ife-changing鈥� academics and teachers result in 鈥渋ncredible work being created on campus every single day.鈥�

Bennington is driven by the particular blend of 鈥渁rtistic, funny, creative, and engaged鈥� enrollees in any given term, so the focus of activities is 鈥渃onstantly changing.鈥� That鈥檚 not a negative; students 鈥渕ake the environment their own and are not afraid of shaking expectations and the status quo.鈥� At the same time, certain core values remain consistent. The school is widely described as inclusive and 鈥渜ueer-friendly.鈥� It鈥檚 also said that 鈥渋nternational students play a huge role in the soul of the Bennington community,鈥� and 鈥渦nity in diversity鈥� is emphasized. Students describe themselves as 鈥渒ind and supportive and a little bit weird in the best way possible.鈥� Many of these characteristics also lead to a robust sense of activism: 鈥淲e have deep ethical and political commitments.鈥� Bennington is made up of people who 鈥済enuinely want to be here,鈥� creating an environment where students feel free to 鈥渂e yourself and be as creative as you want.鈥�

Bennington is a 鈥渂eautiful hilltop with access to pathways and hiking trails,鈥� and students say that 鈥渟tudents, staff, and faculty make [the school] come alive in our small part of the woods.鈥� Consequently, 鈥渋n the spring and fall, folks will be on the lawn, picnicking or playing instruments,鈥� alongside pickup volleyball and soccer games. (There鈥檚 not a lot of talk about sports beyond that they鈥檝e 鈥渙nly recently become a thing鈥� in some circles.) And while there鈥檚 no Greek life, 鈥渃lub culture is big.鈥� This emphasis on campus-based activities suits students, who 鈥渟pend a lot of time practicing their craft and sharing it with others.鈥� Moreover, because the school doesn鈥檛 have traditional dorms and instead places students in cooperative houses of between 30 and 45 students, there tend to be a lot of house activities. Some houses host 鈥減arties on campus every week, which most of the campus attends,鈥� thanks to their 鈥渧ery strong and unique themes,鈥� with annual standouts like 鈥淒ewey鈥檚 wedding theme鈥� and the 鈥淪walloween Halloween party.鈥� No wonder, then, that there鈥檚 not a lot of traveling into town or nearby Albany: 鈥渢he vast majority stay on campus.鈥� Those who look for things to do will find plenty of support and, through the constant events, 鈥渙pportunities to come together as a community.鈥�

Bennington is the only college in the country that has required an internship since its founding. Those Field Work Term experiences are practical, automatic entries on any graduate鈥檚 鈥渋mpressive professional r茅sum茅.鈥� The results show: 97 percent of employers say they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with their Bennington intern . This gives students 鈥渓earning experience within the 鈥榬eal world鈥� with the safety of an end date and a chance to adjust 鈥� academic work accordingly.鈥� It鈥檚 also 鈥渆ncouragement to delve deeper [and] form stronger connections.鈥� The Office of Career Development and Field Work Term helps guide students into internships, fellowships, and campus work experience, with required reflection and learning goals incorporated into each. Professors are also there to provide 鈥渃ontacts and resources that help us use the skills we learn in class in the field to understand the practical applications of the knowledge.鈥� No matter where you turn, Bennington provides you 鈥渨ith the support 鈥� to study what you want to.鈥�