Admissions

Lipscomb University General Admission Policy

Lipscomb University, consistent with its mission, works to enroll students who have the potential for academic success, possess strong moral character, and who will enrich the collegiate community. Lipscomb examines each prospective student’s application for admission contextually to determine the applicant’s potential to succeed and to enrich the community. The admission review of application materials includes records of academic and extra-curricular achievements as well as past behavior. 

Lipscomb University collects information about the prior disciplinary and criminal history of applicants for admission. This information may be considered as part of a contextual review of applicants for admission. An applicant’s failure to disclose complete and accurate disciplinary and criminal history, as required in the application, may result in the University revoking an offer of admission or rescinding that person’s status as a Lipscomb student. Lipscomb’s Notice of Nondiscrimination is found in the catalog.

First Year Admission Criteria

Selection of degree-seeking students at Lipscomb University is based on several criteria: high school curricular choices, academic performance, grade pattern, rank in class, SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores, academic recommendations, essay/short answers, extracurricular activities, and behavioral record. While there are no minimum requirements assigned to any given criteria, generally a student who presents a strong academic record, exhibits a variety of achievements, and displays strong moral character will contribute and benefit most from the Lipscomb experience. Final matriculation to the university is contingent upon continuing academic progress and completion of the high school diploma. If academic, extracurricular or behavioral records are not consistent with information presented in the application for admission or with the Christian mission of the university, the Admission Committee may choose to revoke offers of admission.

High School Curriculum

The admission review of academic records includes high school curricula, including curricular rigor, academic performance, elective choices and senior-year course load. In general, applicants should submit high school records with a minimum of 15 or more academic units. The recommended distribution for a minimum program is as follows: four units of English, three units of mathematics (Algebra I, Plane Geometry, Algebra II), three units of science (including two units of laboratory science), three units of social science and two units of a second language (a two-year sequence).  Applicants 18 years and older may be considered for admission with a GED.

Applicants with intended majors in the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering will be best equipped having successfully completed four years of math (including higher-level math beyond Algebra II) and a year each of chemistry and physics. 

Lipscomb University has temporarily suspended the standardized test score requirement for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 entry terms. Lipscomb will continue to consider test scores for applicants who choose to submit them for review. Standardized tests considered by Lipscomb include the Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT), the American College Testing Assessment Program (ACT), or the Classical Learning Test (CLT).  All test scores must be sent directly from the testing service or recorded on the high school transcript. First-year applicants who choose to have their standardized test scores considered with their admission application should take their exam prior to the appropriate application deadline.

To apply for admission, follow these five steps:

1. Submit a completed application using our institutional application or the Common Application. The application typically goes live August 1st of the senior year and may be submitted before the submission of the supporting documents. Priority application deadlines are December 1 and March 1.

2. Submit a $50 application fee. 

3. Submit your high school transcript that includes the entire junior year.  

4. Submit an academic letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.

5. Arrange to take the ACT, SAT, or CLT test and have the score sent to Lipscomb University. (Our institutional code for the ACT is 3956. The SAT code is 1161.) The best place to access the policy is on the admissions webpage: https://www.lipscomb.edu/admissions/freshmen-admissions/freshmen-admission-requirements/test-optional-admission-process.

If admitted to the university, four additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript certifying graduation, financial responsibility form, a completed health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the Office of Admission and approved before a student can enroll.

Applicants who are not competitive for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission to Lipscomb.  Any student, regardless of admission status, who does not score a 21 or higher on the math portion of the ACT (520 or higher on the SAT) is required to take Introductory and/or Intermediate Algebra.

Appeal of an admission decision may be submitted in writing to the Office of Admission. The university cannot accept the responsibility for a delay in the enrollment of an applicant submitting records later than two weeks prior to registration. The university reserves the right to reject any applicant, or rescind admission to the university, at its sole discretion. For any reason deemed sufficient, the university may require a medical examination, intelligence test or subject matter examination and may revise at any time the status given a student on admission. The provisions of this paragraph are subject to Lipscomb University’s nondiscriminatory policy contained elsewhere in this catalog and will not be used in any way to violate that stated policy.

Home-schooled Students

Lipscomb recognizes the unique nature of home schooling and welcomes applications from home-schooled graduates. In general, a home-schooled student applying as a first-time freshman should follow the same application procedures listed above. In lieu of a high school transcript, a homeschooling record or transcript is required. If an educational reference is not available, a personal reference from a non-family member must be submitted.

If admitted to the university, four additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript certifying graduation, financial responsibility form, a health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the admissions office and approved before a student can enroll.

Transfer Students

Tennessee Transfer Pathway

Visiting Students

1. Complete the application.
2. Submit the application fee.
3. Have an official transcript or official letter of good standing sent to Lipscomb from the last institution attended. For a course requiring a prerequisite, an official copy of the student’s transcript must be sent to the admissions office.
4. If a specific course taken at Lipscomb is to be transferred to the degree-granting institution, permission must be granted from that institution.
5. Submit a health form, if student is full-time.

International Students

Lipscomb University welcomes applications from International students as they are an important part of the Lipscomb community. International students must submit an international student application for admission and meet the admissions requirements specified. An entrance exam is required of international students, though they are given the choice between ACT, SAT, Duolingo, TOEFL or IELTS. To be considered for unconditional admission, an international student must receive the following scores: 550 on the TOEFL paper-based test, 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, or 105 on the Duolingo test.  The ACT or SAT test may also be used to determine English language proficiency.  Results must be sent to the University directly from the testing service. If a student does not meet these requirements, the English for Academic Purposes Program at Lipscomb may be utilized to develop necessary English language skills.

All applicants whose academic records are from schools, colleges, or universities outside of the United States must provide an optional course-by-course report from an approved evaluation service.  Here are the two preferred and approved services: Lisanto and WES.  In addition, SpanTran can be used as an evaluation service for high school transcript evaluations but not for college evaluations.

Lisanto International
Foreign International Credential Evaluation
P.O. Box 407
Auburn, AL 36831-0407
Fax: 334.745.0425
Email: lisanoINTL@aol.com
Web: www.lisano-INTL.com

World Educational Services
P.O. Box 01-5060
Miami, FL 33101
Phone: 305.358.6688
Web: www.wes.org

Due to federal regulation, an international student must demonstrate financial resources for one year of study and prepay one semester before receiving documentation to apply for a student visa, and are required to have health insurance while a student at Lipscomb. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions by telephone at 615.966.1776 or 877.582.4766, by email at admissions@lipscomb.edu, by visiting admissions.lipscomb.edu, or by mail at Lipscomb University - Office of Admissions, 1 University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951 USA.

If admitted to the university, three additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript, a health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the admissions office and approved before a student can enroll. The university reserves the right to reject any applicant, or rescind admission to the university, at its own discretion.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

Required Documentation for Off-Site Learning Experiences