As of 2024, there are over 50 ACGC accredited genetic counseling programs, and counting! Deciding where to apply is a very personal decision.
Do you meet ALL the requirements for that program?
This is very important! This is not like applying to jobs where if you meet 60% of the requirements, you may still get an interview and get the job. If you do not meet the requirements for these programs, your application will be tossed and not considered for interviews. Applying for genetic counseling programs is expensive, and you don't want to waste your time or money on a program you won't be considered for. If you are not sure if you meet a requirement, reach out to the program directly and ask.
Location and cost
These are typically the biggest factors when it comes to deciding where to apply, and how many programs to apply to. Genetic counseling programs are expensive, as is the applications process. Potential costs include:
Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state tuition and available scholarships)
Housing costs
Application fees
Match Service Fee
Buying clothes for interviews
Traveling expenses for interviews (some programs do remote interviews, while others are in person)
Buying equipment for remote interviews
Taking time off work to do interviews
Class/cohort size
Cohort sizes range from 3 to 26 students. Each has their own pros and cons. The typical GC cohort size is around 8-12.
Structure of the program
Some programs start clinical shadowing in their first year, while other programs focus on academic courses in the first year and rotations in the second year. Most programs are 2 years (21 months), but a handful of programs differ in program length, some longer and some shorter.
Clinical Rotations
As noted above, different programs have various setups for clinical rotations. Is there a specific type of rotation experience you would like? Do you want to travel for your clinical rotations, or stay local to your program? How many rotations do you want to do? The best way to get insights into clinical rotation experiences is to talk to the program and their current students/alumni.
Do you want a dual degree?
Some programs have the option for you to get your genetic counseling masters and another degree (usually masters of public health) at the same time. This may mean being in the program longer than 2 years, and it's also possible to get into one program and not the other.
The best way to know if a program is a good fit for you is to talk to them. This can be done in a variety of ways:
Attend the WSRGN Genetic Counseling Career Fair in the fall. This is a remote event that gives you an opportunity to talk directly to programs and learn more about them. Get a feel for how you would connect with program leadership. These are people you could be working with for the next two years, and you want to make sure you are a good fit for each other. (link website)
Email the program directly. You can ask to speak to current students, someone from program leadership, or one of their staff members. You can usually find information about the program director and other program leadership from the program website.
Note: Make sure your email to the program is kind, courteous, and understanding. Program staff, students, and leadership communicate with each other. How you speak to people will impact how the program views you. Applying to GC programs is stressful, and can cause a wide array of uncomfortable feelings like agitation, frustration, worry, anxiousness, etc. Before you talk to or email a program, take a moment to ensure you are not unintentionally directing those feelings and emotions to program support staff.
It's not uncommon to have to apply more than once to genetic counseling programs. Generally, the acceptance rate to a GC program is around 30%. Applying is a grueling process, and it can feel like so much time, money, and energy were all wasted. This is not the case! Reapplicants are in a unique position to ask for tailored feedback on their application and/or interview directly from the programs they applied to.
When to reach out for feedback?
Generally, the best time to reach out to programs about feedback is between May and August. Timing will vary between programs. Some things to consider before reaching out:
Wait until after graduation. Programs are very busy working with their second-year genetic counseling students as they get ready to graduate. Typically, it's ideal to wait until after graduation to reach out.
Ask before their new cohort begins their program. The reason the summer is ideal is that the second-years have graduated, so they only have one cohort of students to tend to instead of two.
How to ask for feedback?
Sometimes programs will include instructions for applicant feedback requests. Make sure to review email communications from the program to double-check email communications from the program, and check their website for any specification about feedback requests. Generally, applicants ask for feedback via email to the program. This email should be very short and to the point, but also polite.
Example:
Hello,
I recently applied and interviewed with Boise State's Genetic Counseling Program. Unfortunately, I did not match this application cycle, and would like to discuss my application and interview with you. If possible, I would prefer to talk with someone directly via zoom or phone call.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.
- Alex
Always fact check information about a program with the program itself.
Per the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors, those who apply to four or more programs are more likely to be admitted than those who apply to only one or two programs. The general recommendation is to apply to 4-6 programs.
Make sure you apply to programs you would realistically like to attend. After an interview, you may choose whether to rank a program. Genetic counseling programs use the match program, and by placing a school in your rankings, you are stating you will attend any of these programs if matched there.
ABGC Interactive GC Program Map- This should be your first stop when thinking about what schools you want to apply for. The interactive map will narrow down programs by state, and includes a link to the program's website. It also includes a list of programs that are in the process of seeking accreditation, which can be helpful for prospective applicants who are a year or two out from actively applying. The Accreditation Counsel for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) offers all this information in PDF format.
GC Prep has designed an interactive map to help prospective students narrow down their schools of interest using more metrics. This includes things like class size, tuition, learning experience, and scholarship availability. This map also includes a snapshot of various information for these programs such as graduation rate, board pass rate, and job placement data. As noted above, you will want to double-check this information with the program itself. Individual GC programs are going to have the most up-to-date information about their own program.