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February 14, 2025

51�������� is excited to announce a record-breaking number of early admissions for the Class of 2029. The group of early admissions students reflects the College’s rising profile as a destination for students who aspire to push boundaries and make an impact on the world. 

“We’re deeply impressed by the curiosity, creativity, civic engagement, and courage of this remarkable group of applicants,” said David Buckwald, the College’s Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing. “These students will thrive in our rigorous and creative academic environment and go on to make positive, lasting contributions to the world.”

This year, 477 students have been admitted through Early Action and two rounds of Early Decision. This marks the largest pool of early applications in Bennington’s history. With a highly competitive acceptance rate of 37 percent, these exceptional students represent a diverse and dynamic group ready to take on the college’s renowned and transformative educational model.

When ranked, nearly half of students accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. For those submitting standardized testing, the average ACT score was 32 and the average SAT was 721 on the evidence-based reading and writing portion and 657 on the math portion. 

Top disciplines among applicants are Society, Culture, and Thought (Economics, History, Politics, Psychology, etc.); Visual Arts (which includes eleven areas of interest from Animation to Video); Performing Arts (including Dance, Drama, and Music); Literature and Writing; and Science and Mathematics. Many are already accomplished in their fields of study; they are published authors, researchers, performers, and innovators. Among the early decision accepted students is: 

• An author published in Teen Vogue.
• A regular on a major primetime television series.
• A filmmaker who premiered work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
• A scientist who has published several scientific research papers before high school graduation.

“It’s clear that these remarkable students aren’t waiting to make a difference; they’re already doing it,” said 51��������’s President Laura Walker. “Bennington will give them invaluable mentorship from expert faculty and the real-world experience they need to make extraordinary impact throughout their lives.”

Since its founding in 1932, 51�������� has defined the forefront of higher education by offering students the freedom to shape their own academic journeys through The Plan, a course of study that integrates individual passion with interdisciplinary exploration. Bennington also helps place students in the world every year through Field Work Term for professional opportunities. In addition, the College’s stunning 440-acre campus in culturally rich Southern Vermont offers an inspiring environment for students to explore their academic and creative passions.

To Walker, Bennington’s unique approach to education is more relevant now than ever. “As we face the global challenges of the 21st century, we need bold thinkers who can navigate complexity and inspire change,” she said. “Our transformative education is about giving students the tools they need to succeed not just in their careers but in their lives and their efforts to create a better future for all.”

Bennington’s long-standing reputation for arts and creative education is reflected in the students who have chosen to apply—especially in areas like Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Bennington was the first to centralize the arts within the liberal arts education. That decision at the founding of the College yielded a rich history of nurturing genre-redefining talent in Dance, Drama, and Music. Many admitted students also cite Bennington’s esteemed alumni, including writers Donna Tartt '86, Kiran Desai '93, and Michael Pollan '76, as their idols.

Of the 1,301 early applicants, accepted students hail from 40 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 21 countries worldwide. The applicant pool showcases Bennington’s international reach and broad appeal. Seventeen percent of admitted students are first-generation college students, and 21 percent are Pell grant-eligible. Sixty-three percent will receive need-based financial aid, while 37 percent did not apply for aid or have no demonstrated financial need. 

“With this group of exceptional admitted students, Bennington continues its commitment to create an inclusive, equitable educational experience for all and make a Bennington education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds,” said Buckwald.  

The admissions team, working alongside financial aid and communications teams, considers meeting and getting to know many of these exceptional students over the past few years as a privilege.

"It's a joy to read such thoughtful applications and learn so much about what matters to these students through the interview process," said Tonya Strong, Associate Vice President for Admissions. "We care deeply about these students and consider each of them a great match for Bennington's rigorous, self-directed educational environment."

Though some students have already made their decisions, there are still plenty of opportunities for all admitted students—whether they’ve been accepted through Early Decision, Early Action, or are still awaiting a decision—to engage further with Bennington. The College will be hosting a variety of on- and off-campus events, including virtual ones, between now and the end of April to provide even more insight into what makes Bennington the perfect place for creative and intellectual students to explore their future.