JulyChiropractic schools woo Life students

MARIETTA ã Many competing chiropractic institutions are courting 
Life University students with 
07/29/02

By Phillip Giltman
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
 
MARIETTA ã Many competing chiropractic institutions are courting 
Life University students with special offers to leave their embattled 
institution.
„We are offering (Life) students $1,000 off tuition for the first two 
trimesters and a relocation grant of $1,000,¾ said Tricia Young, 
director of admissions at Parker College of 
Chiropractic.
But, the Dallas-based Parker College ã reflecting the efforts of 
many other chiropractic institutions across the country ã insists it¼s 
not seeking to recruit Life students, but merely enhance the 
chiropractic profession, according to Young.
„We felt this was something we could do to help them through this 
transition because it is hard to just stop your education and 
relocate somewhere else,¾ Young said. „Life University¼s closing 
hurts all the chiropractic schools.¾
Life University was stripped of its accreditation in June and many 
students have already left the school while it appeals the 
revocation. 
An admissions official at Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena, 
said they are offering a $1,500 moving expense loan for Life 
students to be paid back interest-free.
„We are also offering $1,000 off tuition for their first trimester and 
waiving the application and transcript evaluation fee which costs 
$50 each,¾ she said. „Our main purpose is to educate and help the 
students.¾
Brian Weingart, a 12th-quarter student at Life University, applauded 
the financial incentives being offered at these schools because of 
how much it will cost Life students to transfer.
„Moving expenses alone are going to cost an enormous amount, so 
I think they are trying to help out the students who are in a horrible 
situation as it is,¾ he said.
But Pete Scire, also a 12th-quarter student, criticized the financial 
incentives saying these schools are just trying to gain financially.
„I think they have been undermining our school, and are trying to 
monetarily gain from our failure,¾ he said. „Why don¼t they extend a 
hand to help our new administration rather than feed on the 
anxiety that students are fearing right now.¾
Scire said these accredited institutions should assist Life in helping 
the school get its accreditation back.
„It is a short-term gain for them, but it doesn¼t help the chiropractic 
professions as a whole,¾ he said.
Several schools have refrained from offering any type of discount for 
transferring Life students, but say they are still interested in serving 
the best interests of the school.
„We are not offering any incentives at this point,¾ said an official 
from the admissions department at the Portland, Ore.-based 
Western State Chiropractic College. „There may in all likelihood be 
some waiving of fees, but at this point we have not made any 
formal decision to discount any fees.¾
An official at Life Chiropractic College West also said they would not 
be offering any special packages for Life students at this time.
pgiltman@mdjonline.com