Chiropractic School GPA Calculator: Assess Your DC Program Standing
Calculator Inputs
Enter your courses and grades to accurately compute your Overall and Science Prerequisite GPAs.
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
This tool simulates how chiropractic admissions committees, such as those using centralized application services like GradCAS, calculate your GPA. It uses a standardized 4.0 scale to convert your letter grades into quality points.
1. **Grade Conversion:** Each letter grade is assigned a specific numeric value (e.g., A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, etc.).
2. **Quality Points:** For each course, the quality points are calculated by multiplying the course's credit hours by the numeric grade value.
3. **GPA Calculation:** Your Overall GPA is the sum of all quality points divided by the sum of all graded credit hours. The Science Prerequisite GPA uses the same formula but only for courses you've marked as "science."
4. **Repeat Policy:** The calculator offers two options for handling repeated courses. The "Count all attempts" policy, which is common in many DC programs, includes all grades in the GPA calculation. The "Count highest grade" policy will only use the highest grade for any repeated course.
Formulas Used:
Overall GPA & Science GPA Formula:
$$GPA = \frac{\text{Total Quality Points}}{\text{Total Attempted Credits}}$$
Example Table
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Point | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | B+ | 3.3 | 13.2 |
| General Chemistry I | 4 | A- | 3.7 | 14.8 |
| Organic Chemistry II | 3 | B | 3.0 | 9.0 |
| Physics I (lab) | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Ethics in Health Care | 2 | B- | 2.7 | 5.4 |
| Total | 16 | 54.4 | ||
| Overall GPA | 54.4 ÷ 16 = 3.40 | |||
| Science GPA | (13.2 + 14.8 + 9.0 + 12.0) ÷ 14 = 3.50 | |||
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FAQs
Most accredited U.S. chiropractic programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 over at least 90 semester hours, including around 24 in science prerequisites. Some offer an alternative track with a GPA of 2.75 on 90 credits alongside academic support.
National data shows most incoming DC classes have an average GPA around 3.38; specific schools like Palmer or NYCC report averages of ~3.15.
Courses like anatomy, physiology, general and organic chemistry, physics, kinesiology, biochemistry, and microbiology are typically counted. A 3.0 GPA in these is a standard minimum requirement.
Unlike some college systems that replace low grades, many DC programs include all course attempts in the GPA calculation. You can choose either "Count all attempts" or "Count highest grade" in this calculator to see how different policies affect your GPA.
Final Encouragement
Use this calculator to see exactly where you stand—or where you need to improve—to match competitive accepted GPAs. Track each semester, simulate repeats, or forecast with upcoming courses. Your readiness depends on both your overall GPA and prerequisite strength.