Southern California University of Health Sciences

"It has been difficult to write this review, though I feel it is time, over 6 years after graduating and being a student there for about 5 years total. Let's start with the good: In my experience, nearly every faculty and staff member were great. All of my instructors - special shout out to all the instructors I served as a TA for in the Chiropractic Procedures department - were kind and respectful, always open to questions and visits during office hours. Dr. Mike Sackett was the Dean during much of my time there (2011, then 2013-2017), granting me a 2 year leave of absence so I could help my family during some challenging times - I will always be grateful to him. In general, the majority of examinations (written and practical) felt reasonably difficult yet fair, though the rate and volume of such examinations could be considered excessive - true for all chiropractic schools. The school's board preparations (ICE) were very helpful for the actual board exams. --Not so good-- Irene Gold: It seemed like the school had a relationship with Irene Gold, which costs extra, as it was advertised regularly. I always felt like the school should feel confident in what they were teaching - along with their ICE - so why deal with a third party? Maybe this is a relationship all chiropractic schools have with Irene Gold? I did not take any Irene Gold courses and felt comfortable with all the Board exams (except Part IV) - aside from the random draw of "Did your school emphasize what is on this round of Board exams?". Part IV Board Exam Despite doing well on SCUHS ICE IV (as well as ICE I-III/PT), my part IV Board exam was the worst result - still passed on the first time, thank goodness! The exam took place in the school's clinic, which was WAY too crowded for such an event. Not only were you right next to other exam takers, but the very long process (3 hours or so, if I recall) is without any water or break. Further, I witnessed the examiners drop papers, seemingly not paying attention, and overall not being engaged. For those of you who don't know, not once do you perform any adjustments on a mock patient. No residency exists in chiropractic, which is somewhat alarming considering all the risks. Cheating Somehow, certain groups of students had access to old exams and similar. This was not specific to SCUHS, as I originally started at LIFE West then CCCLA, which had similar issues. I think some instructors caught on, as many students who used these old exams to 'study' by would usually get the same questions wrong. Some students were actually expelled for this kind of thing as well as falsifying their hours during PPR shifts. The pace at which the regular program operates at and the focus on matching/name recognition for Board exams is a fairly unrealistic way to learn and retain, but cheating never pays off. Lifetime Access Despite the promise of having 'lifetime access' to my account due to being Valedictorian of my graduating cohort, my access was removed and no explanation or help was given. Dr. Scaringe I didn't engage much with Dr. Scaringe while a student, pretty much the only conversation I had was when I told him I was not going to give a Valedictorian speech and to please select the student(s) with the next highest GPA. My reasoning was that, due to my leave and lighter load, I was in classes with many cohorts and didn't feel I represented any of them singly. Nearly two years after graduation, I wrote to Dr. Scaringe by email and written letter more than once. Along with asking about my so-called lifetime access, I wanted to shine some light on not being told my chiropractic degree and passing all the Board exams would NOT be enough to become licensed in some states. How could something so crucial have slipped by? No response at all. It is a reality that some states require one to have a Bachelor's degree to obtain your chiropractic license. I do not regret my decision to go to SCUHS or become a Doctor of Chiropractic (to go along with my now 23 years in the massage field), just wanted to share my experience."

"I took accelerated courses here. One was good as expected but the other was missing more than half of the lectures. This course costed 1500. I didn’t get what I paid for and feel robbed. I requested a refund but was basically told no. I wouldn’t recommend taking the accelerated science courses here."

"I go to this school for chiropractic and am closing in on graduation. My whole cohort feels the same way some teachers are great some are awful. The admin at this school is awful. They change things constantly in regards to events and important classes and let us know days before. Selectives are a complete joke at this school. Sports medicine is a complete joke and there are teachers here who hate adjusting. The gonstead club is banned because it’s too chiropractic for this school. There are numerous alumni who call this place LAPT because we come out of here so good at soft tissue and not at adjusting. This school teaches things the wrong way. Dean fachinatto is the worst dean possible she would not work with anyone to get an in person white coat ceremony without families in attendance. All we wanted was a Facebook live ceremony where we were presented our white coat on camera and put on the coat for our families to see at home, but she would not work with us at all and we were given the worst zoom ceremony ever. She even claimed it would be super special but it was literally our names on the screen being read off on zoom. Do your research on this place before you come."

"I had the same experience as the others who gave poor reviews, the admissions department made promises that were NOT kept. They decided to wait until mid-semester to tell me I wasn't actually approved for aid there, so I withdrew. They're now coming after me to pay them all the tuition. And the financial aid department refuses to communicate with me despite my 10+ emails and phone calls over months. I am supposed to be going to finish my bachelor's degree at another school so I can finally apply to medical school (which is due to another promise they did not keep). DO NOT GO HERE unless you'd like to have your dreams put on hold and have an incompetent staff charge you thousands of dollars due to their lack of communication."

"Think more 4 1/2 stars Great parking & so easy to find People are so helpful & nice. Especially when your in pain...I hopped in & walked out in great alignment, with slight discomforted. Weee. 1st treatment was about a 4 hours long...YES 4 Hours long !!! They checked me head to toes. Questions & they listened. WOW!! It is a teaching instituted.... I had a Senior ready to graduate this April. Also a Junior to finish in 2020. With the Professor there to overview All. I Love this place!!! Would take my family members there if needed...Like I said Great place. Kudos to SCU HEALTH SYSTEMS in Whittier"