Graduate School: The Search Narrows

Over this past semester I started researching different graduate school programs. The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) lists all of the schools that have an accredited Genetic Counseling program. The ACGC also lists if the program is new, within 4 years of opening. I took this into consideration when researching schools. This is some of the program and school criteria I looked at:

• Well established program

• Location

• Cost

• Funding availability

• Accreditation status

• Percent of job placements after program completion

• Program length

Of the schools I researched, I am most interested in Johns Hopkins University/ National Human Genome Research Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, and Boston University School of Medicine.

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Summer Plan

Over this summer, I will be working on reducing my graduate school list from ten to 6. To do this I will be doing more in-depth research about each school and each program. I will also be looking into dual degree programs where I can obtain both my Masters of Genetic Counseling and my PhD in Human Genetics. I have already found at least one program at Virginia Commonwealth University that offers this. Along with searching for dual degree programs, I will be looking for fully funded programs. Most fully funded programs are PhD programs or programs that are research based instead of professional based.

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Making Myself the Most Competitive Applicant

When applying to graduate school, application reviewers look for applicants that have a lot of unique experiences that make them better suited and equipped to become a genetic counselor. Some of the experiences that enhance an application are, interviewing and job shadowing genetic counselors, working at a crisis or counseling hotline, being a camp counselor for kids with special needs, attending genetic conferences and events, laboratory experience, etc.

Some experience I currently have is that I have been working with a child with a disability for 4 years as an in-home care assistant and an additional 4 years prior to that as his babysitter. Additionally, I have experience working in a laboratory both through university courses and student research. I will also have more applicable laboratory research from this upcoming summer as I will be in a research lab position.

In order to make myself an even more competitive applicant, I plan to job shadow and interview a genetic counselor through the Genetic Counseling Experience Program as well as volunteer with a local advocacy center such as Bolton Refuge House or Bridge to Hope. I hope to start volunteering at an advocacy center this summer as well as apply for the Genetic Counseling Experience Program.