A college search in the middle of a global pandemic meant Ben Barry (’25) had to get creative.
The online search process made it more difficult to get to know schools without visiting campus, but it did allow him to consider colleges that were further from his home in the suburbs of Chicago.
“I found Lipscomb entirely on the web,” Ben says. “I didn’t hear about it at all.” He also took an online quiz to help him find schools that would be a good fit for him and remembers the results. “You are interested in a small school with a good campus and a good community. Lipscomb might be for you.”
So he did some more research and decided to include Lipscomb on his Common App. When he finally made it to campus for a visit, it didn’t disappoint. “The tour guides that I had...they did such a phenomenal job capturing the spirit of Lipscomb, and I was just instantly attracted. They sold it perfectly. That compared to the other two schools I applied to and toured, it blew me away. I just felt absolutely called.”
During New Student Orientation, his Quest Team leader even recruited him to work for Admissions. And now that he’s here, Ben has discovered that the intimate academic environment at Lipscomb is just as welcoming as the campus community. He's even had the opportunity to study abroad and just returned from a semester in Costa Rica.
“I feel super comfortable talking and being myself in class. People are shocked when I tell them my biggest class is 65 people.”
"It's Super Easy to Get Involved"
“I’ve made friends just by shaving with people in the bathroom. Like, I don’t see them anywhere else, just in the bathroom. And that’s just part of the community you get living community-style and living on campus. I love the relationships I’ve made being in High Rise.”
Getting to Know the Community
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Exploring your neighborhood
Lipscomb is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, which is about 10 minutes south of downtown. That means you can enjoy life in a charming neighborhood with convenient access to the diverse opportunities of a global city right down the street.
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Experiencing Music City
When you live in a city filled with talented musicians, you should take advantage. Whether it’s a coffeehouse performance or a concert at a storied venue like Ryman Auditorium or The Bluebird Cafe, you’ll see a quality show. Says Ben, “I just went to a Rolling Stones concert. That was amazing!”
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Not doing it alone
Starting a new chapter in an unfamiliar place may seem intimidating, but you’ll be surrounded by a community of people who will help you find a home. Moving from Chicago to Nashville, Ben made that adjustment when he came to Lipscomb. “I don’t regret it at all. It’s a really cool place to be, for sure.”
More Resources For Juniors