Frequently Asked Questions about Sherman
Admissions Requirements
- What prerequisites do I need for chiropractic school?
- What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) required?
- Do I need a bachelor's degree to start chiropractic college?
- How is your philosophy different from other schools?
- How long does it take to complete prerequisite classes?
- How long for the DC program?
- How much math do I need?
- Are you accredited?
- What is your average class size?
- Do you have an accelerated program on your campus?
- Can I send you my transcripts now so that you can tell me which classes I still need?
- Do you have housing on campus?
- What is the cost of living in Spartanburg? How does it compare to other parts of the country?
Financial Aid
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- What is Sherman College's Title IV Code?
- How much money am I eligible for in the Stafford Loans?
- What are unsubsidized loans?
- What is the median loan debt incurred by students who complete the program on-time?
- Where do I borrow money for my Stafford loan?
- How do you apply for the Perkins Loan?
- What other loans are available?
- When do I re-apply?
- How do I get my undergraduate loans deferred?
- How does work-study reduce my loan amount? Do I qualify?
- What kinds of scholarships do you offer?
Admissions Requirements
What prerequisites do I need?
To get into chiropractic school, you need at least 90 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher, though many students complete a bachelor’s degree before enrolling. Of the 90 hours required for traditional admission, 24 must be life and/or physical sciences with corresponding labs for half, and 15 hours must be in the humanities, social and/or behavioral sciences.
If you have an overall GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 and/or less than the required hours in the sciences, you may be eligible for the Alternate Admission Track Plan (AATP). This admission standard is designed to allow students with various academic backgrounds to enroll in chiropractic school based on the academic achievements they already have. We encourage you to submit transcripts and contact admissions for individual counseling.
You’ll find the details and specific requirements for admission on our prerequisite page.
What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) required?
You need at least 90 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher. If you have an overall GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 and/or less than the required hours in the sciences, you may be eligible for the Alternate Admission Track Plan (AATP). We encourage you to submit transcripts (fax them to 864-599-4859) and contact admissions for individual counseling.
Do I need a bachelor's degree to start
chiropractic college?
Pre-chiropractic and pre-licensure requirements vary from state to state. You do not necessarily need a degree to begin at Sherman College, although certain states do require a degree to practice there, and some states require that you receive that degree before beginning chiropractic college. To ensure that you meet the requirements of the state(s) in which you wish to practice, we suggest that you contact the state board(s) of chiropractic examiners directly. You can visit the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards website for a list of licensing state board contact information.
How is your philosophy
different from other schools?
Chiropractic is based on the premise that the body's innate
recuperative powers are affected by and integrated through the nervous system.
Chiropractic is a science and art devoted to the location, analysis and correction
of vertebral subluxations, misaligned vertebrae of the spine that interfere
with the ability of the nervous system to coordinate and control the organs
and systems of the body.
Health-conscious people make chiropractic a regular part of their health regimen, along with such sound practices as exercise, good nutrition, stress management and regular health check-ups. Chiropractic is a separate and distinct field that does not compete with the practice of medicine or the use of alternative therapies.
Some other chiropractic colleges generally view chiropractic
as a therapeutic approach to improving musculoskeletal and other conditions.
How much is tuition?
2013 Quarterly Tuition: $6,938 - Average Quarterly Books and Supplies:
$300*
* First quarter books and supplies for new students will be at least double
this amount.
Almost 98 percent of our students receive federally funded loans to cover their tuition and cost of living expenses. Most students can expect to receive approximately $3951 per quarter for living expenses ($1317 per month). See more tuition and expenses information here.
How long does it take to complete
prerequisite classes?
How long for the DC program?
It generally takes three years to complete 90 semester hours. The Doctor of
Chiropractic Program at Sherman College is 14 quarters. We enroll classes
three times a year, in January, July, and October. Learn
about the Pre-chiropractic Institute at Spartanburg Community College
How much math do I need?
Sherman does not require certain math courses, but the school where you choose
to take your chemistry and physics may require math as a prerequisite.
Are you accredited?
Yes. See our accreditation page. For questions about licensure and accreditation, call the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 800-849-8771 ext. 223, or email rirwin@sherman.edu
What is your average class size?
Average class size is around 25 students, although it does vary depending on
when you begin classes in the year. We keep laboratory and technique classes
small so that the personal attention you receive from instructors is enhanced.
We pride ourselves on offering a highly personal learning environment
Do you have an accelerated program
on your campus?
No, we do not, but we do have several agreements arranged with local undergraduate
institutions to complete your admission requirements. Click on the links below
to find details about the programs listed:
Six local colleges offer acceptable courses for prerequisites. Contact them directly:
Can I send you my transcripts
now so that you can tell me which classes I still need?
Absolutely! We encourage this. We can start an academic evaluation for you,
and tell you exactly which classes you still need to complete. You do not want
to find out at the last minute that you are missing some classes, and you don't
want to take classes that you do not need. You may send unofficial transcripts
or copies for evaluation, but official transcripts will be required for admission. Please
include current contact information when emailing or faxing transcripts.
Email Transcripts to Kristy Shepherd at kshepherd@sherman.edu or
mail your transcripts to
Sherman College Admission Department
Attn: Kristy Shepherd
PO Box 1452
Spartanburg, SC 29304
Transcripts can also be faxed to 864-599-4859
Do you have
housing on campus?
Several residential neighborhoods are within walking and biking distance
from Sherman. The Student Services Office keeps a list of housing available
(for rent or to buy) that is updated bi-weekly. Also included are "roommates
wanted" listings. The
current Housing List is here.
What is the cost of living in Spartanburg
and how does it compare to the rest of the country?
Spartanburg is a very affordable place to live at 8% below the National Average.
Use the cost of living calculator to compare
to your city, or see this cost of living comparison
chart.
Financial Aid
How do I apply for financial
aid?
To apply for any type of financial aid at Sherman College, you must submit
a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. You may
fill it out on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Each student must also submit the following forms to the financial aid office:
Statement of Educational Purpose, a Sherman
College Financial Aid Application,
Certification Form and a Student Status Form. To receive a financial aid package,
please contact the Admissions Office.
What is Sherman College's Title IV
Code? FAFSA code is 013853
The title IV code for Sherman College is 013853.
How much money am I eligible for in
the unsubsidized Stafford Loans?
Most students are eligible for the full amount in this loan which is $33,000.00 per three quarters.
What is the unsubsidized loan?
The unsubsidized loan is not need based, and the interest rate is capped at 8.25% with interest accruing while you are in school. You have a choice to either pay the interest while in school or defer the interest until your six month grace period is up after you graduate or withdraw from Sherman College.
What is the median loan debt
incurred by students who complete the program on-time? The median
loan debt for our students with no loans from undergraduate school is $155,000.00
if they borrow the maximum amount the entire time they are in school at Sherman. The
average student borrows $11,000 per quarter for living expenses, books, and
tuition.
Where do I borrow money for my Stafford
loan?
Direct Lending (www.studentloans.gov). All loans are issued through the Department of Education.
How do you apply for the Perkins Loan?
Each year you must submit a new FAFSA form. The Financial Aid Office determines
the need for each student and from this needs analysis the office awards this
money to the students with exceptional need. Sherman College only awards this
money to graduate students (fourth quarter or higher).
What other loans are available?
There are several different loans a student can apply for while in school at
Sherman College. Just about all of these loans are based on your credit history.
These loans normally have an interest rate of the Prime plus a percentage,
such as 2-3% added to the prime. The interest accrues while you are in school.
These loans can run with a very high interest rate and should only be taken
as a last resort. Federal based graduate plus loan at 7.9% interest. This loan goes into repayment immediately, but can be deferred while in school. There is no grace period after graduation with this loan.
When do I re-apply?
A loan will run for three quarters or one academic year. You should begin your
loan process in the middle of your third quarter. Each January you will be required
to complete another FAFSA. Your FAFSA is effective for one fiscal year, July
1 to June 30. A loan cannot be processed without a current FAFSA on file.
How do I get my undergraduate loans deferred?
When you matriculate at Sherman College you will need to go to the Registrar’s
Office and request that an in-school deferment form or verification of enrollment
be completed on your behalf and faxed or mailed to your lender. Please
make sure you have your lender information from undergraduate when you come
to the Registrar’s Office. Financial Aid has in school deferment
forms available upon request.
The Registrar will certify the deferment for an academic period of one quarter.
This form may need to be submitted quarterly to your lender. A copy of
the form will be kept in your academic file.
How does work-study reduce my
loan amount? Do I qualify?
Work-study can increase the amount of money that you receive for your living expenses. Depending on the amount of work-study awarded, you may be able to reduce your loans accordingly.
What kinds of scholarships
do you offer?
There are many different scholarships offered by Sherman College. To
see a list of all scholarships offered, click here.
Sherman College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, employment policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other school-administered programs
