So this week, I am going to feature an e-mail that I got from a
dedicated reader! She had really good questions that I think will
really help you as a prospective student! I tried to be as thorough
as I can! If I missed any points, let me know.
"Once you get into the DC program does the school
provide housing for students?"
You are eligible for housing in any program, so if you are in
the Prereq Program, you can still get housing on campus. However,
if the rooms fill up, then you are directed to find housing off
campus. The housing staff will give you a good list of apartment
complexes in the area to contact, and there are some apartments off
campus that give student discounts.
With off-campus housing, you most likely have to sign a yearlong
lease, but there are other benefits to living off campus. The
program is rigorous and you are in class sometimes as early as 8am
and it could go as late as 5pm! Then you find yourself migrating to
the library and studying all night long. Well, living off campus
breaks up the monotony of it all.
The housing on campus is convenient because you basically pay
for the trimester in advance, and the lease is on a trimester
basis. Although the rent rates are somewhat lower than off-campus
housing, it is not a drastic difference. Oh, and you won't have to
drive to class every day if you live on campus, but then again,
some people find it therapeutic to just drive. It's all up to
you.
My first trimester I lived on campus in a studio, and I actually
enjoyed it because it was very convenient. However, I ended up
moving off campus and I don't think I would go back to living on
campus. It's so easy to get sick of the campus, and with me living
off campus, I was able to stay saner and have somewhat of a life
outside of school.
I know of a 1BR apartment that will be available to sub-lease
(starting mid-August of this year) with the option of re-signing
the lease at Covington Apartments, which is about 5 minutes from
campus located on South Finley Road in Lombard. It's extremely nice
and there's a fitness center with an outdoor pool. It's great if
you have a family 'cause the majority are families. The management
is always on top of things, and it's a safe community. If you are
interested in more details, please let me know!
"If I am accepted into the Prerequisite Program, does it
guarantee that I will be accepted into the DC
program?"
I can give you brief insight into the answer of this question,
but it would be wise to contact an Admissions counselor yourself. I
know that you can come in as a Prerequisite student with the
intention of applying for either the chiropractic or naturopathic
medicine programs. However, being accepted into the Prerequisite
Program does NOT guarantee your admittance into other professional
programs. However, I'm not sure about this, but I think you can
apply for Chiropractic program and that you can receive a
conditional admittance with the conditions of finishing your
prerequisites and passing them. For more of a solid answer, contact an admissions
counselor.
"How rigorous is the first phase of the DC program? I
ask this question because I am very nervous about anything that has
to do with chemistry. It is definitely my weakest subject and I am
afraid that I will have a lot of trouble with this subject on down
the road."
The first phase is very rigorous. It is very different from an
undergraduate science program for many reasons. One of those
reasons is that you barely have any buffer classes. What I mean by
that is, you do not have "electives" to help boost your grade point
average. Your GPA will be based on heavy science classes, and not
just one science class, but about 25-27 credits worth of them. It
is a lot to get used to and handle; however, it's VERY POSSIBLE.
Time management is the key. You will face days when you don't know
if 24 hours in a day is enough, and personally, I'm still asking
myself that question--and I'm past Phase I.
If you are nervous about it, you can try the first trimester
going full-time and gauge your performance and sanity that way.
Phase I of the program is a 4-term track. The phase may also be
completed in 5 or 6 terms. Your advisor will work with you to
determine whether you should follow the 4-term track or choose the
5-term or 6-term track. There are definitely options that are there
to help you be successful.
"How far is Lombard from Chicago?"
Lombard is about 25 minutes from Chicago but that is WITHOUT
traffic, which unfortunately is very rare, or without snow in
winter. Some students who live downtown have said that it has taken
about one hour or a little more to get to school in the morning,
and that it takes a little longer to get back to Chicago if you are
leaving Lombard at rush hour time which is 5-7pm. My fiancé
commutes to the downtown clinic and he hasn't fully enjoyed the
commute, but some people really don't mind it. There are definitely
other suburban options like Oak Park, which is virtually halfway
between Chicago and Lombard, however people who live in that suburb
still experience about the same traffic.
Tip of the week: Research all your options as a prospective
student! Lombard/Chicago has so much to offer!
See you all next week!