Late Decision

It’s Not Too Late to Apply to Bennington

Late is not necessarily bad; in fact, it may be the way forward for an increasing number of college applicants still looking for their right match.

Every spring we get calls from our college counseling friends asking about accepting late applications from compelling students who were met with disappointing admissions and aid financial aid results. Other students are reconsidering where they want to learn and live for college altogether given the changing political, social, and physical climates. It’s with all of these insights in mind that Bennington is now offering a new application round: Late Decision.

A New Application Round for College Admissions

Late Decision is a new non-binding application round in the spring following Regular Decision. 

Just like other first-year application rounds, students may apply using either Common Application or Bennington’s Dimensional Application. We have no preference; we approach each application type with a holistic mindset. Select Regular Decision and note that the application deadline has been extended to April 8.

• April 8: Admissions and financial aid late decision application deadline
• April 17: Notification of admissions decision 
• April 28: Admitted student event. This is an ideal chance to visit our gorgeous campus and stunning setting and meet our remarkable students and faculty.
• May 1: Student reply date

This new round is for interested students who have not previously applied for admission to Bennington this academic year and is distinct from any waitlist admissions activity. We believe that holding space for competitive students coming to our process late is part of an accessible, holistic, and supportive admissions process, very much like the entire Bennington experience. 

To this end, we are guarding 15 seats in the Class of 2029, including proportional merit- and need-based financial aid awards, for Late Decision applicants. Just like our prior application rounds earlier this cycle, we aim to meet demonstrated financial need at time of admission.

Bennington offers generous merit scholarship for talented students ranging from $5,000 to full tuition. Bennington aims to meet you and your family’s demonstrated financial need at time of admission. We’ve long been a test-optional school; although, deep intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a desire to positively change the world are strongly encouraged.  

8 Reminders About Bennington College

1. Nearly 100 years ago, Bennington was founded as a progressive liberal arts college to react to and build upon changes in society, technology, and culture.
2. It did not take long for Bennington to distinguish itself as a vanguard institution among American colleges for truly placing students at the helm of their own education supported by expert faculty guidance.
3. Bennington students develop their own unique Plan, a student-developed course of study based on their interest and goals.
4. With a mantra of “learning by doing,” every student at Bennington has four required internships as part of our annual Field Work Term. 
5. We were the first to centralize and prioritize the arts within the context of a liberal arts college. Bennington’s legacy is attributed to charting the course of modern dance, abstract expressionism, the “literary brat pack,” a modern mixing of musical genres and movements, and avant garde theatre.
6. Intentionally small and personal, Bennington enrolls nearly 1,000 students annually, including graduate students studying within our acclaimed MFA in Writing.
7. Nearly all undergraduates live on campus in houses run by students, each with a different ethos and traditions. They also eat nourishing food, often from our own farm; throw campus events every Friday and Saturday evening; and embrace the extraordinary natural surroundings we call home. 
8. We aim to meet a student’s demonstrated financial need at time of admission via generous need- and merit-based aid. (Student cost of attendance ranges from $0 to $88,570.)

Apply Via Common Application or Bennington’s Dimensional Application

Bennington offers two options to apply. Both are equally weighted, so it is entirely up to you which one you choose. If you are interested in the BFA Dance Lab, please see the application details and deadlines on our webpage.

1. The Common Application: Standard application, plus recommendations and transcripts. Learn more about the common application, including Bennington's application codes. Over 90% of applicants to Bennington choose this option. 

OR

2. The Dimensional Application: Share a collection of your work that reflects your capacities and demonstrates creativity, curiosity, and readiness to meet the demands of a Bennington education. Learn more about the dimensional application.