Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Chiropractic


Introduction

Students who self-identify as pre-chiropractic may consult with Pre-Healthcare Advising about matters pertaining to their preparation and application to chiropractic schools. Selection committees evaluate candidates across multiple areas through a holistic review process. Important components include GPA (both cumulative and science), exposure to the profession, letters of recommendation (typically from one chiropractor and two professors), extracurricular activities, community service, and an interview, as well as background checks (including legal, conduct, and social records). Although some chiropractic programs don’t require a bachelor’s degree, keep in mind many states require chiropractors to have a bachelor’s in order to practice. Most applicants have earned a four-year degree.

Chiropractic programs want applicants with a foundation of coursework from across the Life & Physical Sciences as well as the Humanities & Social Sciences. They do not recruit students from one specific major or discipline. This allows you to explore many academic fields, to develop basic skills and knowledge, to demonstrate expertise and to experience a field of study (major) of your choice. Choose a major in which you both excel and enjoy. Pre-healthcare students have majored in diverse subjects. Although the sciences are common, other popular disciplines include Anthropology, Kinesiology, languages, Psychology, self-designed programs, and even combined majors. 

 Contact Information

Pre-Chiropractic Advisor
Anna Tognazzini
Assistant Director
Career Services Center
Old Main 280
360-650-4240
prehealth@wwu.edu

Pre-Chiropractic Advisor
Erika Wiescher
Health Professions Advisor
Career Services Center
Old Main 280
360-650-4240
prehealth@wwu.edu

 Pre-Health Resources

wwu.edu/careers/prehealth.shtml

How to Indicate you are Pre-Chiropractic:

Although Pre-Chiropractic is not a major, the university maintains a record of students who have indicated their intention to pursue healthcare careers. In order to gain access to our Health Professions Advising Canvas site and advising that is relevant to your intended area, send an email to prehealth@wwu.edu with your name, W number, Western email address with “Pre-Chiropractic” as the subject line.

Course Requirements


Regardless of major, certain prerequisite courses expected by most chiropractic schools include:

Life & Physical Sciences (36-48 credits)


Chemistry


Note: It is helpful if students begin general chemistry as early in their program as possible.

Mathematics


Physics


Humanities and Social Sciences (24-36 credits)


Exposure and Experience


Advanced Placement

Check with individual schools whether they recognize Advanced Placement (AP) as college-earned credit. Not all do. It is better to view any earned credits as qualifying to enroll in upper division courses rather than as “testing out” of prerequisites.

Access to Classes

Upper-division courses, particularly in the sciences, tend to be in high demand. Many departments give priority to students declared in specific majors over those needing prerequisites for healthcare programs. Keep in mind that registration policies and procedures for impacted courses can change, so check the department’s website or contact the program coordinator to ask about course enrollment processes.

Repeating/Dropping Courses

When you repeat a course, only your most recent grade is used when Western calculates your GPA. However, the class still shows up on your transcript. Although some students think that repeating a course will help them get into professional schools, this is almost always untrue. Professional schools will take into account all college-level coursework when performing their own calculation of your GPA, and this will include any courses you have repeated at Western. Still, in some circumstances it may be appropriate to repeat a course so talk to an advisor to be sure. Also, dropping a course can have an impact on eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, and athletic participation so consider your options carefully and speak with an advisor before making a decision.

Community Involvement

What students pursue outside the classroom will be considered by professional programs along with what is accomplished in the classroom. It is important to choose extracurricular activities out of genuine interest - not all of activities need to be healthcare-related or clinical in nature. Each year, an “Internship and Volunteer Fair” occurs on campus so that students can explore and network for volunteer opportunities. Your volunteer experience does not necessarily need to be healthcare related, but should be in something you are passionate about and interested in. Find experiences that allow you to serve your community and learn more about how to relate to others different from yourself.

Shadowing

Finding shadowing opportunities can be challenging but is essential for determining whether a healthcare career is a good fit. For their first shadowing experience, students often ask a family friend, their own chiropractor, or someone with a personal connection to shadow. Many students have also had success calling local chiropractic clinics to ask whether they can shadow. Since chiropractors tend to run their own clinics, they have the flexibility to allow shadowing. You may need to call several so don’t be discouraged if it takes some time. 

Research

Research experience is not required to develop a strong application for chiropractic school, but can be a great way to enhance your application if you are interested. Many opportunities exist both on campus through individual departments and programs, and off campus. Contact your major department, or speak with a favorite professor about undergraduate research.

Letters of Recommendation

Western does not participate in a committee letter process for professional programs, so it is important for students to develop a good relationship with faculty members, supervisors and volunteer coordinators throughout their time as an undergraduate in order to have strong letters of recommendation.

Note: The above information is for preliminary advising purposes only. We encourage students to meet with a Health Professions Advisor on a regular basis to develop an individualized plan.