I just returned from a few days touring schools in Nashville: Vanderbilt, Tennessee State, Belmont and Lipscomb. A few things you immediately notice as you arrive in Music Town USA are: both kinds of music – Country and Western – are played incessantly, air conditioning is a religion, and Nashvillians are very polite. While most schools were just finishing classes and finals were well under way, this provided a fantastic opportunity to talk with decompressing students and gather their best recommendations for the most important college things: best libraries to study, programs of note, realities of financial aid and as always… where to find great ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Vanderbilt and Belmont represent two very beautiful campuses and students will quickly tell you that the schools are “bubbles” in a city. Students don’t have to leave campus but can easily head downtown, which is only a bus and a walk away. And if you are headed off campus, make sure to stop at Jeni’s Ice Cream — Buttermint Chocolate Fleck. That flavor alone should be considered a national treasure.