Anyone familiar with Admissions in Genetic Counseling programs?

[kjj17]

Hey all, a good friend of mine applied for MD this cycle and hasn't had any II's, and is looking into alternative careers in healthcare. She is considering genetic counseling - similar to medicine, it's science-based with a heavy personal component.

I don't see a forum for this topic, so sorry for posting here - but does anyone know much about the admissions process for this? There aren't nearly as much resources available since it's such a small field. Does anyone have any (direct or indirect) experience with the applications process?

e.g., How competitive is it? (Many programs seem to only admit 5-10 students... how many applicants are there usually?) Is there anything in particular they like to see besides the obvious metrics (good grades/solid GRE/counseling experience/good app essays), anything particularly important w/in those?

Thanks everyone!!

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[pithy84]

I suspect it is not very competitive, because I had dealings with a certified Genetic Counselor and she was dumb as a brick. She was also fairly young, so she must have been accepted in the recent past.

I also know a certified Dietician / Nutritionist who is dumb as a brick. So that's another option. I also know a very smart nutritionist.

Another great option is Speech Pathologist. They do speech impediment therapy, but they also do executive function therapy. They get paid a fair amount of money. I know a very smart speech pathologist.

 

[LizzyM]

I found this on one school's web site:

Suggested, but not required
Counseling Experience: Applicants are encouraged to have some counseling experience which may be obtained in a number of ways, including, but not limited to crisis counseling, peer counseling, domestic abuse, or planned parenthood
Genetic Counseling Exposure: Shadowing a genetic counselor or having a genetic counseling internship are both valuable experiences, however, we understand these may be difficult to arrange. Speaking with a genetic counselor about the field is also a valuable experience.
Exposure to people with a chronic illness or a disability through volunteer work with Special Olympics or camps specific for children with disabilities.
Laboratory experience
Research experience
Varied volunteer and work experiences

 

[AlteredScale]

Hey all, a good friend of mine applied for MD this cycle and hasn't had any II's, and is looking into alternative careers in healthcare. She is considering genetic counseling - similar to medicine, it's science-based with a heavy personal component.

I don't see a forum for this topic, so sorry for posting here - but does anyone know much about the admissions process for this? There aren't nearly as much resources available since it's such a small field. Does anyone have any (direct or indirect) experience with the applications process?

e.g., How competitive is it? (Many programs seem to only admit 5-10 students... how many applicants are there usually?) Is there anything in particular they like to see besides the obvious metrics (good grades/solid GRE/counseling experience/good app essays), anything particularly important w/in those?

Thanks everyone!!

My lab manager is going this route. First cycle only applied to 6 schools all top tier, rejected for an OK GRE and mediocre GPA (3.4).

She's been doing volunteer work at a domestic abuse org somewhere and has been shadowing a genetic counselor. Hopefully she gets in this cycle.

Even though there's only 5-10 slots per school, the applicant pool is smaller so competition isn't as fierce.

 

[kjj17]

thanks so much @LizzyM and @AlteredScale! will look into speech pathology too, @pithy84 thanks

 

[Scott1452]

Please don't comment on this if you have no idea of how "competitive" it is. When the average class size is 6 people and each school receives over 100 applicants it is very competitive. I am currently applying and I have a 3.54, 318 GRE and 4 writing, organic chemistry research, great lor's and counselingexperience been an americorp member for 3 years et ect you get the point. I actually was accepted to a med school which I found much easier. The field is small and very specific. And each program is clearly looking at something more than grades cause the pool is stacked with 3.5 + applicants to begin.

 

[armoman92]

This is interesting. Can someone posts links to specific programs. Thanks

 

[Scott1452]

Well if you google genetic counseling programs there is a national group which compiles a list of all programs. However it is way to late to apply. It is not rolling admissions and there is actually a univerisal acceptance date which is in april.

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[Scott1452]

I am really passionate about genetics and unfortunately the medical school curriculum and residencies don't reflect a lot of genetic and molecular health care. Kinda a new field and I wanna be on the leading edge of it.

 

[kjj17]

good to know, thanks so much for sharing! yes, I am mostly just interested in knowing how competitive admissions is

 

[kjj17]

My lab manager is going this route. First cycle only applied to 6 schools all top tier, rejected for an OK GRE and mediocre GPA (3.4).

She's been doing volunteer work at a domestic abuse org somewhere and has been shadowing a genetic counselor. Hopefully she gets in this cycle.

Even though there's only 5-10 slots per school, the applicant pool is smaller so competition isn't as fierce.

the volunteer work + shadowing, this was after the first cycle? thanks 🙂

 

[AlteredScale]

the volunteer work + shadowing, this was after the first cycle? thanks 🙂

She actually started it like a bit before the first cycle! I don't think the timing matters that much but more or less it's the more the better.

 

[Scott1452]

has anyone got a interviews yet for this cycle ?