I am currently a practicing chiropractor in Tennessee. I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. in February of 2009. I have been considering going back to school and would like to pursue a DPT at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. I'm wondering how my chiropractic doctorate will affect my application to a DPT program? Would it help by showing that I can complete a difficult program or would it be a hinderance? Any advice on the matter or additional insight on the DPT program at UKY would be much appreciated. Thank you very much.
DC to DPT
- Thread starter jitaylor
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You are a fairly recent graduate. I would just keep practicing Chiro if I were you. PT schools will probably take it into some consideration, but another 3 years of school is a lot, plus the debt. I am assuming you already have debt accrued from Chiro school. Schools will still look at your GREs, GPA, LORs, etc...regardless of your other degree.
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There's a DC that graduated our program recently. As long as they don't think that you are applying for the sake of billing chiropractic as physical therapy, I wouldn't think it would be a problem.
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I sorta agree with the previous poster - you may want to practice as a chiropractor for awhile. If you just graduated in 2009, PT schools may view that as you not being committed to what you want to do...I asked one of the schools I applied to (which also offers a PA program) if I would be allowed to apply to both. They said I could, but that it would raise questions of my commitment to either profession. Although, if you explain why you want to make a career shift right after graduation in your personal statement, you may be able to justify spending 3 years in practically med school and then wanting to go to another 3 year program (again, I don't know your situation so maybe it is legit desire to change careers).
On the otherhand, you would be able to show you are capable of doing the work, and have the intelligence to get through a strenuous program.
I'm not sure your motivation for wanting to switch careers - I looked into chiropractor school a bit, and while there are a lot of really bad chiropractors out there, there are also a lot of great ones and I really considered going to school for it. Personally, one day I want to open an integrated practice with chiros, sports med MDs, PTs, and trainers and pilates instructors, and while I'd love to have all those certifications and degrees myself, that's not possible and PT is my passion. Perhaps if you're drawn to one particular aspect of the PT profession, you can find a way to integrate it in another field to supplement your chiro practice (if you love the rehabilitation aspect, maybe get your NASM personal training certification with an additional certification in injury prevention and rehab, etc).
On the otherhand, you would be able to show you are capable of doing the work, and have the intelligence to get through a strenuous program.
I'm not sure your motivation for wanting to switch careers - I looked into chiropractor school a bit, and while there are a lot of really bad chiropractors out there, there are also a lot of great ones and I really considered going to school for it. Personally, one day I want to open an integrated practice with chiros, sports med MDs, PTs, and trainers and pilates instructors, and while I'd love to have all those certifications and degrees myself, that's not possible and PT is my passion. Perhaps if you're drawn to one particular aspect of the PT profession, you can find a way to integrate it in another field to supplement your chiro practice (if you love the rehabilitation aspect, maybe get your NASM personal training certification with an additional certification in injury prevention and rehab, etc).
Thank you all for your input. There are a number of ways to integrate rehab into my practice. There are quite a few certification courses that I could take and a 3 year long post grad board certification in rehab known as a diplomate (they also have diplomates for neurology, radiology, pediatrics, sports physicians & orthopedics).
Its not a matter of billing insurance or money. To be completely honest chiropractors make a good living, its not about the money. But I would hope that an admissions committee would dismiss that idea anyway. I just don't feel that I am working with the people or doing the things I love to do. Such as working with pt's with neurological disorders, MS, ALS, PD, stroke or brain injury.
There is really no avenue for a chiropractor to work with patients with these types of conditions. Yeah the student loan debt is astronomically high already but if you're not doing what you love then why stay in it?
Thank you all again for your input.
Its not a matter of billing insurance or money. To be completely honest chiropractors make a good living, its not about the money. But I would hope that an admissions committee would dismiss that idea anyway. I just don't feel that I am working with the people or doing the things I love to do. Such as working with pt's with neurological disorders, MS, ALS, PD, stroke or brain injury.
There is really no avenue for a chiropractor to work with patients with these types of conditions. Yeah the student loan debt is astronomically high already but if you're not doing what you love then why stay in it?
Thank you all again for your input.