Instructions for Applicants
Genetic Counseling, M.S.
Genetic Counseling, M.S.
In addition to the general application materials, applicants to the MS Genetic Counseling Program must submit:
- Resume
- Personal statement (“reflective essay”)
- Brief Introductory video
Please see below for details about these requirements
Beginning with cycle for Fall 2018 enrollment, the MS Genetic Counseling Program is participating in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services. Read more about the Match process.
Resume Instructions
Your resume for a graduate program in genetic counseling should contain information that highlights the experiences you have and the skills you have developed as they relate to your work as a graduate student or your future in the field of genetic counseling. The resume should be able to stand alone. Remember that the reviewer likely does not know you, or much about the experiences you have completed. Be sure to include enough detail that a reader can review your resume and have a general understanding of your experiences and skills, prior to reading your personal statement.
Tip: If you cannot find a way to relate your experience to skills that overlap with the field of genetic counseling or graduate school, you do not need to include it on your resume. Be selective and intentional. The resume is the primary tool you will use to communicate about your experiences and skills.
Your resume should include the following information
Academic
- List all undergraduate/graduate studies including institution, dates attended, year of graduation, degree earned, major, and GPA
- Required prerequisite coursework – indicate the name, course number and the grade you earned for all courses you completed to satisfy our prerequisite course requirements. Include any courses in which you are currently enrolled.
Note: do NOT list courses beyond the three (3) prerequisites. Utilize the space in your resume to highlight experiences. We review all transcripts directly.
Related Experience
For each of the following, please provide a brief description of the experience including the dates, frequency and duration of your participation.
- Genetic Counseling Exposure, including but not limited to genetic counseling shadowing experiences or internships
- Crisis counseling
- Advocacy
- Laboratory or other research experience
- Leadership roles/professional development/other relevant experiences
Please note that these categories represent experiences we evaluate and consider. Not all are required for someone to be considered a competitive applicant, to receive an interview, or to ultimately enroll. People have strengths in a variety of areas, and diversity in perspective is highly valued.
Relevant Employment
Please include any relevant employment experience including dates, duration and a brief description. Inclusion of all employment is not necessary. Only include employment where skills were developed that relate to graduate school or the field of genetic counseling.
Awards, Honors
If you choose to include awards and honors, please include a description of the award or honor.
Match
Please include your NMS Match ID number. Applicants must be registered for Match in order for the application to be reviewed.
Length
Resumes should have enough detail about the experiences you’ve completed and skills you’re developing that a person who does not know you can develop a solid understanding prior to reading your reflective essay. This will be different for each applicant. In general, one (1) page resumes do not contain enough detail. Two (2) page resumes are acceptable. If your resume is longer than two (2) pages, please ensure the information included is specifically related to your genetic counseling application and relevant experiences.
Reflective Essay Instructions
Please submit a 2-3 page essay (limited to 1500 words) to address the following:
- Describe how your experiences (life, academic, volunteer and otherwise) have shaped your perspective through reflective process. How has this prepared you to enter graduate school and ultimately, the field of genetic counseling?
- What makes the Genetic Counseling program at UNC Greensboro a good fit for your academic and personal growth?
Note: You do not need to (and should not) simply repeat the information contained in your resume in your personal statement. You should focus on sharing your experience of your activities, as well as the insights and perspectives you gained.
Introductory Video
Please upload a brief video recording of two-minutes or less. This video should capture the following:
- Introduce yourself. Tell us what unique perspective(s) you will bring to the field of genetic counseling.
- Describe one step you have taken toward personal growth in the last year. Include a specific example(s). What has changed for you as a result of this process? How do you think it has impacted others?
- f you are a reapplicant, please include reference to how this application cycle is different than your previous cycle. Consider sharing beyond what is captured in your resume. What is different for or about you in this cycle?
So that we may best see and hear you, you can capture this short video through a cell phone camera, or through a recorded web-based platform like Zoom. Editing or special effects are not required and are not desirable. We want to get to know you! Be genuine and true to yourself. Scripted responses are not preferred over candid ones. There are no wrong answers to these questions.
Additional Application Components
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts generated from the Registrar’s Office of your undergraduate institution are acceptable for initial application review. Official transcripts issued by the university are required and must be received prior to enrollment. Unfortunately, unofficial transcripts captured from within a student-facing portal are not acceptable at this time.
If you are enrolled in classes during the application period, please upload a copy of your updated transcript with end-of-semester grades directly to Slate using the “Upload Materials” section in your application portal. Please also email a copy to [email protected]. This may be completed after the application deadline has passed once final grades become available.
Deadline
The application submission deadline is December 15.
You are encouraged to formally submit your application through the Slate system even if all of your materials are not yet available (i.e., final grades on transcripts). Submitting your application notifies the Genetic Counseling program of your intent. We will follow up on an individual basis regarding any outstanding components. You must submit your application by December 15 to be considered for enrollment for the following year.
All application materials including transcripts, three letters of reference, GRE scores, resume and reflective essay must be received no later than January 1. Your application cannot be reviewed by the Admissions Committee if it is incomplete.
Interviews
A subset of the most qualified applicants will be invited to campus for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee. Applicants will receive notice by early February at the latest to let them know if they have been selected for an interview.
Initial Video Interviews (Part I)
Beginning in Spring 2020, we have instituted a two-part interview process. First round interviews are short, video-based interviews with a program faculty member. These fifteen minute interviews are recorded for review by the Admissions Committee. The focus of these interviews is to identify individuals who may be the best fit for our program to invite for the full-day, second round interviews.
All applicants will receive notification via email regarding interview selection. These emails are sent through the Slate application system. Initial interviews are expected to occur between January 30-February 6, 2023.
Full Day Interviews (Part II)
Full day interviews are typically scheduled during late February and throughout March. Completion of a full day interview is required for admission to the program. The incoming cohort will be selected from among those applicants who are interviewed through the Match process. Applicants will be notified of final admission decisions on the universal admissions date selected by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD).
Added: All full day interviews in Spring 2024 for Fall 2024 enrollment will be virtual. Each interview includes the opportunity to engage with current students as well as to meet several faculty members and individuals who work closely with the program (instructors, supervisors, etc). The full day interview includes a detailed information session in addition to interview components.
Interview dates for Fall 2023 enrollment are tentatively scheduled as follows
Monday, February 27
Friday, March 3
Friday, March 17
Monday, March 27
Friday, March 31
Individuals being offered an interview will be notified through the Slate application system by mid-February.
- Please direct questions about application/admission procedures to [email protected]
- You may also call Marcia Griffin, our Administrative Support at 336.256.0175.