Highly Accomplished Group of Admitted Students Forms Foundation for the Class of 2029
Vermont Business Magazine Bennington College has announced a record number of early admissions for the Class of 2029. A total of 1,301 applications were received in the Early Action and Early Decision I and II rounds. This is the largest pool of early applications received in the institution’s history. Of those, 477 students were admitted, which relates to a 37 percent acceptance rate.
“This record-breaking number of early applicants reflects Bennington College’s increasing reputation as a top choice for students looking to challenge convention and make an impact on the world,” said David Buckwald, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing. “What’s more, it was a very competitive group. We’re deeply impressed by applicants’ curiosity, creativity, civic engagement, and courage. These students will thrive in our academically rigorous and creatively engaged environment and go on to make a meaningful, lasting impact.”
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 include 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 have already achieved success in their respective fields of study. Notable early admissions include an author published in Teen Vogue, an actor who appears regularly on a primetime television show, a filmmaker whose work premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and a scientist who has published several 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 Bennington College’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.”
Bennington College has long been a leader in defining the higher education landscape. Founded in 1932, the College allows students to design their own academic paths through The Plan, a course of study that integrates individual passions with interdisciplinary exploration. Additionally, every student tests their knowledge and skills in the real world through the college’s signature Field Work Term. 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.
Walker emphasized that Bennington’s approach to education is more relevant now than ever. “As we confront the challenges of the twenty-first century, we need bold thinkers who can navigate complexity and inspire change,” she said. “Our transformative education is designed to give students the tools they need to succeed in their careers, to create purposeful lives, and to contribute to a better future for all.”
The admitted students come from a diverse range of backgrounds and locations, with 1,301 applicants in total from 40 states and 21 countries. Seventeen percent of admitted students are first-generation college students, and 21 percent are Pell grant-eligible. Sixty-three percent of admitted students will receive need-based financial aid, while 37 percent did not apply for financial aid or have no demonstrated financial need.
“This group of admitted students is a testament to Bennington’s continued commitment to inclusivity and access,” said Buckwald. “We are proud to make a Bennington education available to talented students from all backgrounds.”
The admissions team, in partnership with the financial aid and communications teams, worked closely with many of these students throughout their application process.
"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."
Although some students have already made their decisions, all admitted students—whether through Early Decision, Early Action, or regular decision—will have ample opportunity to learn more about Bennington. The College will host a series of on-campus and virtual events through the end of April for the purpose of allowing admitted students to gain further insight into what makes Bennington the right place for their future.
About Bennington College
Bennington College is a leading liberal arts college in southwestern Vermont that has distinguished itself as a vanguard institution within American higher education. It was the first to include the visual and performing arts in a liberal arts education. Bennington students work intensively with faculty to forge individual educational paths around their driving questions and interests. It is the only college that requires its students to complete an internship, known as Field Work Term, every year. Rooted in an abiding faith in the talent, imagination, and responsibility of the individual, Bennington invites students to pursue and shape their own intellectual inquiries and, in doing so, to discover the profound interconnection of things. Learn more at bennington.edu.
Source: 2.14.2025. Bennington, VT: Bennington College
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