FAQs for Transfer Students

Who is eligible to apply as a transfer?

If you have graduated from high school (or earned a high school equivalency) and then gone on to earn college credit, you are a transfer applicant. Please apply as a transfer even if you have withdrawn from your degree program or are not currently enrolled.

Why transfer to Bennington?

Bennington's transfer students tend to be drawn to the College's distinctive approach to education. Here students create their own courses of study, collaborate with their teachers—who are also their advisors—to plan an education with breadth and depth, unified and fueled by their own particular passions. They are challenged throughout their education to explore questions that matter to them, to pursue their curiosities wherever they may lead. By writing and rewriting their plans of study and by discussing evolving ideas with faculty planning committees, students design, chart, and defend their courses of study. Throughout this exceptional process, students learn to develop the structures they need to shape their education—and their lives.

What credits will transfer?

To graduate from Bennington, we require 128 credits and at least two years of full-time campus residence. We accept most liberal arts and performing arts credits, as well as credit granted from technical courses such as computer science. We do not accept more than 64 credits from another degree program. Read more about our credit transfer policy.

Do transfer applicants from community colleges tend to be competitive for admission?

Yes! Community college students often possess a strong degree of self-direction and ownership of their educational goals; they have experience shaping their educations based on their interests and future ambitions in ways that serve them well both in the application process and in the Plan Process at Bennington. In order to more fully support community college applicants, Bennington partners with RaiseMe, a scholarship platform, to help community college students earn scholarships as they prepare to apply.

Are students who have been away from school competitive for admission at Bennington?

Absolutely. Bennington’s innovative approach to a college education emphasizes flexibility, individualization, and the value of experiential learning. Students who have spent time away from college classrooms often bring to Bennington a deep, intuitive understanding of those values as well as rich experience reflecting on their own intellectual and creative practices. They also tend to have strong skills for reflection, self-direction, and interdisciplinary thinking, all of which serve them well both in the application process and in their educations at Bennington. We encourage students who have spent time away from college to share their experiences with the transfer admissions team in the optional admissions interview or by including a resume or CV in their application. Furthermore, college credit remains eligible for transfer to Bennington regardless of when it was earned.

Are students who applied previously allowed to apply again as transfer students?

Yes. Whatever the result of your first application, we look forward to working with re-applicants and encourage you to reach out to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. There are opportunities throughout the application process to demonstrate how you’ve grown and developed as a thinker, leader, and student since your previous application.

What is Field Work Term?

Field Work Term is a six-week period in January and February during which Bennington students explore work-integrated learning opportunities through internships, apprenticeships, field research experiences, and self-directed projects. Bennington students are required to complete one such experience for each full year of full-time enrollment, and students increasingly fulfill these requirements during the summer or during the school year itself. 

Are transfer students expected to have completed Field Work Term experiences or their equivalent prior to enrolling?

No. While competitive applicants sometimes have had work, research, or internship experiences that resemble Field Work Term experiences, there is no requirement to have completed any such experience before enrolling at Bennington. Transfer students are expected to complete one Field Work Term experience for each year of full-time enrollment at Bennington. Admitted students will receive further information about their Field Work Term requirements in their transfer credit award letter.

Does Bennington have specific transfer resources for Vermont residents?

Yes! Bennington has an articulation agreement with the Community College of Vermont which supports CCV students in transferring to Bennington. The College also offers non-degree-seeking courses to members of the local community; these courses can be an excellent introduction to the Bennington community and the first step towards matriculating at Bennington. Finally, applicants who are residents of Vermont at the time of admission are considered for the Vermont Leaders Scholarship, which provides up to $20,000 in merit aid to qualified students.

Are transfer students eligible for Financial Aid at Bennington?

Yes, every transfer applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships up to $37,500 per year. Both domestic and international transfer students are also eligible for further need-based financial aid. For students applying from community colleges, Bennington also offers the opportunity to earn up to $20,000 per year in merit aid prior to applying through our partnership with RaiseMe.

Where can I learn more about Financial Aid?

Please visit the Office of Financial Aid’s page on Financing Your Education for more information

Do I need to submit a professional course-by-course evaluation report? I have earned college/university credit outside of the United States and would like to transfer those credits to Bennington College.

Submission of a professional course-by-course evaluation report is not required. However, on occasion, we may require supporting materials such as course descriptions, course syllabi, or course catalogs in order to conduct evaluation of credit transfer. Students who have completed college coursework at a college or university outside of the United States are required to submit official transcripts in the original language. If the transcripts are not in English, an official translation must be submitted along with the originals.

What are the English language proficiency requirements for international transfer applicants?

 International transfer applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency unless one of the following describes you:

• You are a native speaker of English
• You will have been taught fully in English at the secondary level for at least three (3) years or post-secondary level for at least two (2) years by the time you apply to Bennington.
• You have earned an Associate degree or its equivalent at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• You have completed two non-ESL courses in English composition and/or speech and earned a grade of B or higher at an accredited U.S. college or university.

If you do not meet the above criteria, you must submit a score from one of the following exams to demonstrate English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic). While Bennington College does not have a minimum score for these exams, successful applicants typically have at least 100 on the TOEFL, 7 on the IELTS, 130 on the DET, or 70 on the PTE Academic. In addition to these exams, we will use any writing samples in the application to further assess a student's English skills.

The Bennington score report code for TOEFL is 3080. There are no score report codes for IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), and Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic). Please note that competence in English must be demonstrated before you will be considered for admission. Bennington College does not offer courses in English as a Second Language (ESL).

I am currently an enrolled student in F-1 status and would like to transfer to Bennington. Do I need to apply for a new student Visa?

International students currently in F-1 status who have been admitted to Bennington College and are coming from another U.S. college or university are considered F-1 program transfers. The students must complete the transfer in form and submit this form to International Student Services (ISS). They must also speak with the international student advisor at their current school and request that their SEVIS record be electronically released from their current school to Bennington. For assistance, please contact ISS at iss@bennington.edu.