Founded in 1932 by educators who felt traditional colleges were too rigid and conservative, Bennington College has always done things differently.

Located in the fifth-largest town in Vermont, Bennington is a school for students who want freedom—with structure. With just 800 undergraduates and about 1,200 grad students (not all of whom live on campus), the community is small but ambitious, creative, and tightly woven.

The campus itself is modern, with sleek, clean-lined buildings set against a backdrop of trees, trails, and wide-open views of the Green Mountains. You’re never far from nature here, and many students take full advantage of the nearby Appalachian Trail for hiking, reflection, and exploration.

A Curriculum Like No Other: Self-Directed from the Start

Bennington does not offer majors in the traditional sense. Instead, students pursue areas of study they define themselves—with support and structure built in.

Here’s how it works:

  • First year: Students take a broad range of courses, designed to stretch their thinking and curiosity. At the end of the year, they write a reflective essay to articulate their academic interests and begin shaping their personal “Plan.”
  • Second year: Students select a faculty advisor and propose a Plan of Study, outlining the area(s) they want to pursue in depth. A committee of 3–4 faculty members is assigned to guide them throughout their academic journey, ensuring that the student’s work is both rigorous and coherent. It all culminates in a capstone project.

This process isn’t just unusual, it’s a deep act of ownership and independence. And it’s not for everyone. Both students and faculty are expected to be active participants in shaping and sustaining their learning community.

Internships Are Required—Every Single Year

At Bennington, academics are meant to connect directly to the world beyond campus. That’s why the school requires every student to complete an annual internship through its Field Work Term (FWT).

Students work in a wide range of fields—arts organizations, advocacy groups, publishing, education, and more—allowing them to test their ideas, grow their skills, and build real-world experience every year they’re enrolled.

This applied, immersive learning is a major reason Bennington alumni tend to be both adaptable and deeply purpose-driven.

Visual & Performing Arts + Humanities Shine Brightest

Bennington is widely respected for its excellence in the visual and performing arts, as well as its strengths in creative writing, philosophy, literature, and gender studies. If your student is passionate about self-expression, theory, or creating original work, this is a college that will meet them where they are, and push them to go further.

But a fair warning: there are no business classes, and there are no varsity sports. Students here are more likely to be found writing a screenplay, building a light installation, or heading out for a trail run than cheering at a football game.

Living & Learning in Student-Led Houses

Bennington students don’t live in dorms, they live in student houses. These are larger, shared living spaces that include communal kitchens and living rooms, housing about 30–45 students each.

Each house operates under a model of student-led participatory democracy. That means students make decisions together about their living environment and social events, creating a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.

The campus is also queer-friendly, very liberal, and socially engaged. The student body is diverse for its size, with about:

  • 15% international students
  • 20% first-generation college students
  • 35% Pell Grant–eligible students

Admissions Snapshot: Flexible but Selective

Bennington’s acceptance rate is around 37%, making it selective but accessible, particularly for students who demonstrate strong alignment with its values of independence, creativity, and critical thinking.

  • Test scores are optional
  • Portfolios are encouraged (especially for arts students) but not required
  • Optional virtual interviews allow students to share their story more fully

If your student is deeply self-motivated, thrives in open-ended environments, and wants college to be about building their education rather than following one, Bennington could be the perfect fit.

Final Thoughts: Is Bennington Right for Your Teen?

Bennington is not a school for everyone—and that’s its strength. With its self-designed curriculum, arts-driven focus, annual internship requirement, and student-led housing, it attracts learners who are serious about crafting their own path.

If your student is independent, introspective, creative, and unafraid of structure-less structure, Bennington offers something rare: a place to invent their education, and their future, on their own terms.