Admission Requirements: International Students

Figure out your student type 

• International Freshman 

  • Will be applying to university for the first time. 
  • If you are a dual citizen and have citizenship in the U.S., you would simply apply as a ‘Freshman.’ 
• International Transfer
  • Have completed a high school degree and have taken courses at a community college or a university. 
• Second-Degree 
  • Have completed a bachelor’s degree. 
• Non-Degree Seeking 

Complete an application

Spring, fall and summer incoming international students can get started by completing our online application.

Online Application

Submit your application essay

So that we can get to know you a little better, we require that you submit a brief personal essay with your application. Please submit your essay through your Bison Portal.

Submit Your Essay

Send your official transcripts

You’ll need to provide us with your official transcripts. Hard-copy transcripts and other academic records are considered "official" when they arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security feature intact. Electronic transcripts are considered "official" when we receive them from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.

You can send an official transcript request to your school official with this form. Transcripts can be sent by a school official to: admissions@lipscomb.edu. 

Transcript Evaluations

All students graduating or transferring from an international school will be required to provide a third-party transcript evaluation through one of the following services. Lipscomb offers a discounted rate for evaluations done through SpanTran.

• SpanTran
  • SpanTran has a custom application for Lipscomb students to ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate, linked here. 
• WES 
• Lisano

Complete an interview

The interview is a time to meet with your Admissions Counselor and discuss why you are interested in Lipscomb. You can schedule your interview in your Bison Portal.

Standardized Tests and English Proficiency Tests

Standardized Test Scores

While not required, all students who are native English speakers are welcome to submit an ACT or SAT score as part of their admission process. You can also choose to apply as test-optional. 

English Proficiency Tests

All international students are required to submit an English proficiency score.  If you are a native English speaker or your education up to this point has been in English, this requirement may be waived.  If English is not your first language, we recommend taking the TOEFL or IELTS. Your results must be sent to the university directly from the testing service. We do not accept self-reported scores. We accept any of the following exams for Lipscomb’s English Proficiency Exam:

• TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score requirement of 550 on the paper-based test, and 80 on the internet-based test (IBT)
• IELTS: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 
• Duolingo: We have a minimum Duolingo score of 105

We have a minimum TOEFL score requirement of 550 on the paper-based test, and 80 on the internet-based test (IBT), to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. 

We have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. 

We have a minimum Duolingo score of 105 to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. 

The English subject test is the standard by which we measure English language proficiency on the ACT. A minimum score of 20 will satisfy the proficiency requirement.

The Critical Reading section is the standard by which we measure English language proficiency on the SAT. A minimum score of 480 will satisfy the proficiency requirement.