FAQ

The GRE is not required for admission.

The minimum undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.0. The Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD) compiles national data about the average GPA scores of students admitted to accredited programs. Students admitted to our program typically meet or exceed these standards. Compiled data can be found on the AGCPD website.

In cases where an applicant is otherwise well-qualified we may be able to waive this requirement. In this situation, we encourage applicants to demonstrate their academic abilities by completing additional, relevant, upper level undergraduate or graduate level courses.

Yes. Although this is not a firm requirement for admission to our program, we do consider undergraduate research experience as a part of application review. Undergraduate research may be in the form of an independent student research project, capstone experience, or work as a research assistant. Research experience obtained following completion of your degree will also be considered. Be sure to include this experience clearly on your resume.

No. However, most competitive applicants have completed laboratory courses and many have other laboratory experiences as an undergraduate research assistant or through completion of an undergraduate research project.

While in-person genetic counseling experiences are not required for admission to our program, they are strongly encouraged. Additionally, completion of formal training associated with crisis counseling has been cited by students and graduates as being a critical component of their success, and is therefore also strongly recommended. You can find more information under the Recommended Experiences section.

Yes. International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. Transcripts must be submitted in English and must be accompanied by a NACES-affiliated credential evaluation service, preferably Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Educational Perspectives (EP), International Education Research Foundation (IERF), or World Education Services (WES). You can learn more about these requirements by viewing Information for International Applicants at the Graduate School Website.

Yes, you are able to reuse any previously submitted materials in a current application. That said, it is likely to be most beneficial for you to submit an updated resume/CV, personal statement and video that reflect your experiences and perspective to date, including the time from your previous cycle.

We typically schedule our interviews in February and March. Details about the available dates are sent with your invitation to interview. Interview dates are scheduled on a first-come first-served basis. If you are invited to interview you should respond as soon as possible to ensure that you will be able to schedule your preferred date.

Second round interviews occur throughout an entire business day. Interviewees are sent a video presentation with detailed information about all aspects of the program prior to the interview. Each interview day begins with a Q&A about the program with the Program Director. Individual interviews are conducted one-on-one with members of the Admissions Committee as well as an opportunity to meet informally with other applicants and current students during lunch. 

At this time, all of our interviews are being conducted virtually, so there are no costs associated with interviews for the program. If you wish to travel to Greensboro to see the school and program, any cost incurred would be at your own expense. We are not able to provide any reimbursement for your travel costs.

All accredited programs offer admission on the same date, which is established by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD). Applicants are made aware of this date and provided with AGCPD Guidelines for Admissions during their interview.

If your undergraduate institution accepted the credits earned for an AP Statistics course you took in high school, and this is listed on your official undergraduate transcript, we will evaluate this as meeting our requirement. 

Yes. We allow for one of the 3 prerequisite courses to be “in progress” during the semester in which your application is being reviewed.

Unfortunately, no. All prerequisite course requirements must be completed by the end of the Spring semester prior to enrollment.

Yes, as long as the course is taken at an accredited institution and otherwise meets the requirements.

The Admissions Committee reviews your entire transcript. The most competitive applicants are those who have done well in a challenging curriculum that includes relevant coursework in Biology (i.e. Anatomy and Physiology), Genetics, Chemistry, Counseling/Psychology, Health Sciences and Ethics. 

The M.S. Genetic Counseling Program is able to provide out-of-state tuition waivers and Graduate Assistantships for some admitted students. These are awarded on a competitive basis as part of the admissions process. Additionally, the Graduate School awards some scholarships and fellowships to admitted students.

There is no separate application for these awards – you will be considered for both M.S. Genetic Counseling Program Awards and Graduate School awards as part of the admissions process.

Many applicants gain crisis counseling experience by volunteering at a crisis hotline. The best experiences are those that include training. You can find these opportunities by checking local listings. Any type of experience that involves supportive counseling or crisis intervention (phone or in person) will meet this requirement.

You should clearly outline these experiences on your resume, including the number of hours of training you complete, as well as the length of time you volunteered.

Many applicants also gain experience in advocacy by volunteering at a social service agency (i.e. homeless shelter, domestic abuse program), Planned Parenthood or similar agency, or support group. These experiences help you gain perspective about people facing challenging situations and experience in providing help and support to these individuals.

Applicants also gain experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families by volunteering in programs that offer services and/or support to these individuals. 

You should clearly document these types of experiences on the resume that you submit with your application, including the frequency and duration of the experiences.

The M.S. Genetic Counseling Program is able to provide out-of-state tuition waivers and Graduate Assistantships for some admitted students. These are awarded on a competitive basis as part of the admissions process. Additionally, the Graduate School awards some scholarships and fellowships to admitted students.

There is no separate application for these awards – you will be considered for both M.S. Genetic Counseling Program Awards and Graduate School awards as part of the admissions process.

You will be classified as either a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes by the Graduate School Admissions office.

Some out-of-state students choose to petition a reclassification of residence status after completing the first year of the program. You can find information about residency requirements and reclassification through the Graduate School.

The application deadline for admission to our program is December 15th. For Fall 2024 enrollment, the application deadline is December 15, 2023.

GRE scores are not a required component of the application. However, if you would like your GRE scores reviewed as a part of your entire application, they can be sent using the UNC Greensboro institution code 5913, department code 0210. Please note that there is no specific advantage to sending GRE scores and individuals who do not send GRE scores are not disadvantaged in any way.

You should review information on the Graduate School website to learn what must be included in your application. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the M.S. Genetic Counseling Program requires that you submit a personal statement and resume. See the Instructions for Applicants page for additional detail.

If you are currently enrolled in classes, you may upload a copy of an unofficial transcript to submit your application. Once you receive final grades for the semester, log in to your application portal in Slate and upload a copy of your completed transcript. Please also email [email protected] with a copy. Only courses with associated grades are considered as a part of your application review.

UNCG recognizes that some undergraduate institutions send transcripts via email. Please have your official transcripts sent to [email protected]. Once they are received they will be attached to the application you have completed in Slate. 

Three recommendations are required for admission to our program. Instructions for submitting letters of recommendation can be found on the Graduate School website. At least one of the three recommendations should be from an instructor who is able to comment on your academic abilities. We welcome recommendations from people who have supervised your research, laboratory, volunteer, shadowing or internship experiences. 

Guidelines for preparing your resume and personal statement can be found under the Instructions for Applicants page. 

When your application is submitted, an Admissions Specialist in the Graduate School reviews your file to make sure that all information required by the Graduate School has been received. When your application is complete, the M.S. Genetic Counseling Program will be notified. It may take a few weeks from the time you submit your application online for the program to be notified that your application is complete.