Application Guide
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Application Service: The Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD) initiated the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match (GC Admissions Match). The purpose of the Match is to provide a fair and efficient mechanism to place applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs. The administration of the Match will be carried out by National Matching Services Inc. (NMS), on behalf of AGCPD. Applicants must register online to participate in the Match. Note that only registered applicants can have their applications reviewed by participating programs. You must register for the Match by mid-december (https://www.natmatch.com/gcadmissions/).
Most programs in the United States participate in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match. For this, in addition to registering for the match, you will still apply directly to the program of interest, and the applicants and programs interview and evaluate each other independently of the match. After all interviews are completed each applicant submits a rank order list where they list the tracks they desire at each program of interest in a numerical order. Similarly to the applicants ranking, the program also ranks their applicants in numerical order. Then, using an algorithm, the match places applicants into positions based on preferences stated in the rank order lists. See the typical timeline for applying below.
Cost: The application fee to participate in the genetic counseling match program is $100. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
When to Apply: The deadline to apply for the match program is in mid-December. The deadline to each school's specific graduate program varies school by school, however, it is typically in early January.
Timeline for Applying:
September ...............Genetic Counseling Admissions Match Registration Opens
December.................Deadline to Register for the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through NMS: (https://www.natmatch.com/gcadmissions/).
January......................Deadline for submission of Genetic Counseling application
February.....................Invitations for interviews extended
Late Feb-March…......Interviews conducted
March ........................Submit FAFSA to schools of interest so all documents arrive by March 31st deadline.
Early-Mid April...........Rank Order List due to National Matching Services Inc (NMS)
Mid-Late April.............Match Results Release
August……………….Start date of most programs
Resources: National Matching Services, Inc.
Coursework and Transcripts: The courses you have taken will need to be self-reported and you will also need to have official transcripts sent to the application service.
Most centralized applications will have a form to print off that will need to be attached to your transcript. You will be asked to enter information, grades and credits for every course that you have enrolled in at any U.S., U.S. Territorial, or Canadian post-secondary institution. Transcripts should be sent from the registrar’s office of all US and/or Canadian Schools attended.
You may order a transcript from the MSU registrar’s office from the registrar’s web site, reg.msu.edu. There is no charge for sending transcripts. If you are taking courses during the spring semester, it is advised you wait until your spring semester grades are posted to your record as professional schools will want to see those grades.
ENTRANCE EXAM
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
The GRE is required for admission to many Genetic Counseling programs. Please see
our GRE page for more information on this exam.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
The personal statement is a very limited in length essay that is used as a device to get a better understanding of the applicant. It is a very important element that should be prepared well in advance to the application and should be edited thoroughly by many different people, such as but not limited to, the writing center, friends and family.
Length: 750 word limit
Prompt: Describe personal and professional reasons for pursuing a career in genetic counseling.
What to include:
- Why you selected this field of health care
- What motivates you to learn more about health care
- Pertinent information about you not included elsewhere in the application
- Special hardships or experiences that have influenced your educational pursuits
- Commentary on significant fluctuations in your academic record not explained in the application.
Resources:
WORK/ACTIVITIES/Advocacy Experience
This section gives applicants an opportunity to expand on their experiences. All of your work in leadership, clinical experiences, community service, research, publication, awards and honors are detailed in a single section.
For genetic counseling programs, advocacy experience is essential. Advocacy experience helps demonstrate a candidate's comfort with taking on some of the responsibilities of a counseling or supportive role. This may be accomplished through a volunteer or paid position with a community-based agency such as a crisis intervention program, Planned Parenthood affiliate, domestic violence program, hospice program, etc.; through a position as a resident or student advisor; or through some related activity. The advocacy experience should provide sufficient opportunity to work in a responsible, one-on-one (in person or by telephone) relationship with a variety of individuals seeking information, resources, guidance, counseling or other support services made available through the sponsoring agency or organization. Advocacy experience typically includes some form of reporting or performance review in which the trainee receives training in interpersonal skills and ongoing supervision. Most applicants complete this experience on a part-time basis in the evenings and weekends while attending school or working full-time. For possible volunteer opportunities in the area please check out www.serve.gov.
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
Genetic counseling programs typically require a minimum of 3 letters.
While you must pay careful attention to the guidelines of each school that requests your letters, we suggest you identify the following people to request letters of evaluation from:
- Two science faculty who taught you in a class
- One non-science faculty
- One individual working in the profession you wish to pursue (example: an osteopathic physician, dentist, physical therapist, pharmacist, etc)
- One or two additional individuals who know you well from a work, volunteer or research experience
MSU does not have a pre-medical or pre-health committee and does not create letter packets for applicants. MSU students collect individual letters for their applications.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews are held February-March. After submitting the applications, students may receive an offer to interview. Genetic counseling programs that offer an interview have indicated an interest in selecting you, and the interview is a critical part of the application process. A large part of the genetic counseling match process is how you rank the program and how the program ranks you based on several things including the interview. Remember, you are not only preparing to answer their questions, you are preparing to ask your own. While they determine whether you are the right fit for the program, you need to determine if the program is the right fit for you.
Schools use personal interviews with applicants to assess qualities such as maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to articulate strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared to discuss why you wish to pursue a career in genetic counseling.
Resources:
- Interview Tips
- InterviewStream - Free mock interview software