Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Oct 1;34(2):132-139.
doi: 10.7899/JCE-18-16.

Admissions criteria as predictors of first-term success at a chiropractic institution

Ashley N Long, P Daniel Chen

Admissions criteria as predictors of first-term success at a chiropractic institution

Ashley N Long et al. J Chiropr Educ. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between admissions criteria and grade point average (GPA) at the conclusion of the first-term of study at a chiropractic institution.

Methods: Secondary data analysis was used on the Fall 2017 entering cohort of doctor of chiropractic students. Independent samples t-tests and ordinary least squares linear regression were used to explain the extent to which incoming undergraduate GPA, undergraduate chemistry grade, undergraduate anatomy and physiology grade, and age, respectfully, influenced the end-of-trimester GPA.

Results: Linear regression found each of the four independent variables (undergraduate GPA, undergraduate chemistry grade, undergraduate anatomy and physiology grade, and age) to be significant influencers of end-of-trimester-1 GPA with undergraduate GPA being the most statistically significant predictor (p < .001).The difference in mean end-of-trimester GPAs for male and female students was not statistically significant. There also was no difference in mean end-of-trimester GPAs by race/ethnicity.

Conclusion: Current admissions requirements may need to emphasize incoming undergraduate GPA and target student support for older students. This study should be repeated for increased sample size, be performed at other chiropractic institutions, and consider additional cohorts to strengthen results.

Keywords: Academic Success; Chiropractic; Graduate Education; School Admission Criteria; Students.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

No funding was received to support this research. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare relevant to this work.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Austin J, Cameron T, Glass M, et al. First semester experiences of professionals transitioning to full-time doctoral study. College Stu Aff J. 2009;27(2):194–214.
    1. Offstein EH, Larson MB, Mwale HM. Are we doing enough for today's graduate student? Intl J Educ Mngmt. 2004;18(7):396–407.
    1. Gansemer-Topf AM, Ross LE, Johnson RM. Graduate and professional student development and student affairs. New Dir Stu Serv. 2006. pp. 19–30.
    1. Shaw K, Rabatsky A, Dishman V, Meseke C. Predictors of performance of students in biochemistry in a doctor of chiropractic curriculum. J Chiropr Educ. 2014;28(1):28–31. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Anderton RS. Identifying factors that contribute to academic success in first year allied health and science degrees at an Australian university. Aust J Educ. 2017;6(2):184–199.