Always know what you’re getting into. A high school track coach tells this story of a freshman who, after the first practice, said, “Well, I didn’t realize I’d have to do this much running.” So while it’s good to be excited about a chiropractic career, remember to prepare yourself for success in a chiropractic college.
Ask any chiropractic student who’s about to graduate, and you’ll hear how the challenges of that 3.3-year journey is a surprise to even the smartest of students.
Know What You Need to Succeed
Just as some people don’t know chiropractors are designated as physician-level providers in the vast majority of states, many are not well informed about the comprehensiveness of a chiropractic college education.
They also may not know that to become a chiropractor, you’ll need at least 90 hours of undergraduate study. Those courses should be heavily weighted toward life and health science subjects, including anatomy, physiology, and chemistry.
No single college degree or major, however, is the key to chiropractic college admission. Some areas of undergraduate study are known to offer a solid foundation for chiropractic:
A Chiropractor Needs More than Life Science Skills
So what if you’ve always loved the idea of helping people live a healthier life in a patient care role, but you started college studying business, math, or political science?
As in the case with medical schools, students of various backgrounds can, and do, make wonderful doctors. Many doctors of chiropractics discovered chiropractic after being injured themselves and finding relief through chiropractic treatment. (Read the story of Dr. Jon Petrick, for example.)
If you have the personal drive, are willing to study hard, and choose a college with robust student services and devoted professors, the odds are good you can be a part of the chiropractic profession.
If aren’t sure you have the prerequisite science courses and your college GPA is below 3.00, many chiropractic colleges have alternative admissions plans to optimize the opportunity to succeed.
Don’t Skimp on the Preparation
Of course, academically preparing yourself is always the best plan. While in high school, take Advanced Placement (AP) classes and summer science courses. Seek out a shadowing experience with a chiropractor in your area, if you can, so you can see how they interact with patients.
Like any other graduate-level degree program, the application process for chiropractic college is competitive. Some students who are interested in the profession apply as early as their first year of undergraduate study. Making this decision as early as possible allows “regrouping time” if there are setbacks along the way.
What Preparation for Chiropractic College Looks Like
Here are the common admission requirements for chiropractic colleges:
Get a Guide to Lead the Way
Motivated students who desire a chiropractic career and may not feel they have the proper preparation, or perhaps already have a four-year degree, should schedule time with an admissions counselor at the preferred chiropractic college. Let them be your guide to success.
For more on choosing a chiropractic college, check out this blog.
The College of Chiropractic at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit university specializing in chiropractic and the health sciences. Since our founding in 1922, more than 11,000 alumni have earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from our College of Chiropractic.
In addition to a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, you can complete in 3.3 years, some of our students choose a concurrent B.S./Chiropractic degree (D.C.) program that can reduce the amount of time in school by up to a year.
CUKC is in Overland Park, Kansas, a large suburban city within the Kansas City area. Overland Park is recognized for its family-friendliness and livability.
Find out why becoming a chiropractor is an excellent choice in today’s healthcare environment. Get the free eBook right now: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.
