Genetic Counseling Admissions Match

The University of Utah Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling is participating in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). The GC Admissions Match was established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Match uses a process that takes into account both applicants’ and programs’ preferences. All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. In order to be considered for an interview by the UUGPGC, an applicant must be registered with NMS. At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website. The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April.

Please visit the NMS website at ( https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions) to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and to view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

Prospective Applicants

Please review the program requirements and other links on this page to learn more about the UUGPGC and the many benefits of living and networking in Salt Lake City during your training. Applications are due by January 15 each year. International applicants are encouraged to have their applications submitted by December 15 due to longer processing times. (Please visit the Admissions Timeline page for more important dates). If you have difficulty confirming your application payment, please email the Office of Admissions (graduate@utah.edu) and cc UUGPGC@utah.edu.

An informal, one-day genetic counseling career camp is also held annually in the summer and is sponsored by the Association for Utah Genetic Counselors (AUG). This camp includes general information regarding the field of genetic counseling as well as the UUGPGC. Reservations are required, and more information can be found on their website at: www.utahgc.org.

Apply for a UUGPGC Application Fee Waiver for the 2024 Admissions Cycle!

In an effort to decrease barriers due to application costs, the UUGPGC is offering a waiver of application fees ($55) to up to ten (10) individuals who meet the following three (3) criteria:

  1. The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) definition of diversity: “Diversity encompasses any and all individuals with a range of different characteristics, including but not limited to: age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, country of origin, culture, language, religion, spiritual beliefs, legal status, health history, and disability. Individuals with underrepresented characteristics and identities face logistical, social, and historical pressures that impact their professional and personal lives.”
  2. Individuals whose opportunities to apply to graduate schools would be expanded by this financial assistance.
  3. Are domestic applicants.

Please note that the application fee waiver will be provided as a coupon code to use upon application completion. Please do not pay the application fee if you are applying for the application fee waiver, as we cannot reimburse the application fee.

Application Information

In order for an application to be considered complete, we require the following:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college.

2. Genetic Counseling Graduate Program Application*:

  • Unofficial transcripts attached to the online application
  • A hard copy of official transcripts from previous schools attended sent to the Graduate Admissions Office by mail to 201 S. 1460 E. Room 250 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 or by e-mail to admisstranscripts@utah.edu will be required upon admission to the program (If you graduated from the University of Utah, you do not have to request official transcripts.)
  • Current resume or CV, which must include your Match Code Number (or your application will not be reviewed)
  • Personal Statement 2-3 pages long (3 pages maximum) and double-spaced. The applicant should answer the following questions in a cohesive essay:
    • What is your perception of the role of a genetic counselor?
    • What are your personal reasons for selecting this career?
    • How did your advocacy experiences prepare you for the profession?
    • Why would you be a good addition to the field of genetic counseling?
  • Three letters of recommendation*
    • The letters of recommendation must be submitted according to the directions in the online application. The letters of recommendation must be submitted through the Slate website after your application has been initiated. The letters should be from individuals who are intimately familiar with your academic accomplishments, and/or counseling-related activities, and should include your strengths, weaknesses, personal character, and potential for success in the Genetic Counseling Graduate program.
    • *We strongly encourage you to submit at least one letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on your academic abilities (e.g. professors). Do not submit letters from family members or close friends.
  • For those applicants whose undergraduate institution does not grade on a 4.0 scale, you must provide official, institutional documentation explaining the grading system.
  • If GPA is below 3.0, the applicant may not be reviewed. Applicants in this situation are strongly encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from an academic source.
  • The GRE is no longer an admissions requirement, and scores will not be considered or reviewed. After careful consideration, the UUGPGC Admissions Committee has decided to eliminate the application requirement to submit GRE scores; submitted scores will no longer be reviewed. We acknowledge that bias exists in standardized testing and, therefore, considering GRE is in conflict with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a result, please do not submit any GRE scores
  • $55 application fee (international application fee is $65)

* Please do not submit additional materials with your application; they will not be reviewed.

3. Coursework

  • All of the following introductory courses are required at least at the college level (AP classes are accepted if a grade is provided): Biochemistry*, Biology, General Chemistry, Genetics**, Psychology (Introductory, Abnormal, and/or Developmental), and Statistics
    • *The biochemistry prerequisite course must be an individual course (not combined with another chemistry or biology course) and should cover structure, conformation, and properties of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and membranes; enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and regulation; intermediary metabolism; energetics and metabolic control; electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
    • Biochemistry Courses List
    • **The genetics prerequisite course must be completed within the last eight (8) years
    • Please upload a list of your courses that meet the required prerequisites(department and course code are required) separately as supplemental application material or an additional page of your CV/resume
      • Failure to include this course list may lead to delays in reviewing or a failure to review your application
    • The following introductory courses are strongly recommended (not required): Embryology and Anatomy
    • CLEP courses are not acceptable prerequisites
    • All prerequisites must be completed or in progress at the time of submission of your application. If in progress, please send documentation of course progress to date
      • Documentation may include but is not limited to, a letter from the instructor that the applicant is in good standing in the course, evidence of enrollment from a transcript, etc.

4. Exposure to the Genetic Counseling Profession

  • Exposure to the genetic counseling profession is required. These exposures may be obtained in a number of ways, and a variety of different types of encounters is encouraged.
    • Examples include but are not limited to: shadowing a genetic counselor in multiple specialties and settings (highly recommended); working as a genetic counseling assistant; interviewing and/or meeting with genetic counselors in multiple settings or specialties; volunteering in a genetic counselor office or clinic; reviewing the National Society of Genetic Counselors website (org) including reading the genetic counseling literature and publications, viewing the Master Genetic Counselor videos; attending genetic counselor conferences or career camps, attending virtual presentations in regards to the genetic counseling profession; etc.
  • Please document genetic counseling exposures in detail on your resume/CV. We strongly encourage you to include the number of hours shadowing, volunteering in a clinical setting, working with genetic counselors, etc.

5. Advocacy

  • Demonstration of a strong commitment to advocacy is required. The advocacy experience(s) should demonstrate that the applicant was provided sufficient opportunity to work in a responsible, one-on-one relationship with a diverse population of individuals seeking information, resources, guidance, counseling, or other support services made available through the sponsoring agency.
  • The applicant should receive ongoing supervision and training through this experience, which may be achieved through a volunteer or paid position.
  • Advocacy may include counseling experiences such as work on a pregnancy/reproductive counseling services, crisis hot-line, disabilities agency, domestic violence program, etc.
  • We strongly encourage you to include the number of hours you have spent volunteering/training for each advocacy experience in your resume/CV

6. Interview

  • Once your completed application is received, you may be invited to interview with members of our faculty and staff. The interview helps assess your skills and motivation and allows for additional character insight as part of the admissions process. Updated information for Interviews (virtual or in-person) in 2024 will be available in February 2024.

UUGPGC Repeat Applicants

  • Applicants will need to go into Slate and create a new application. They would need to complete all required questions and required uploads when working on the new application.

 

Undergraduate GPA Below 3.0

The University of Utah requires a GPA of 3.0 or above for incoming graduate students. If a GPA is below 3.0, the UUGPGC may appeal for an exception to the University of Utah on behalf of the applicant. These applicants are strongly encouraged to address their low GPAs in their application and submit an academic letter of recommendation.

International Students

In addition to the requirements outlined above, international students are required to provide further information for the University of Utah Graduate Admissions Application. Additional requirements include:

 

    • A minimum TOEFL score of 80 or better, or a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 or better.  (Minimum score requirements are subject to change). The official TOEFL score must be sent to the University of Utah Department of Human Genetics (institution code 4853, department code 06) and must not be over two years old at the time of admission. Please review the Utah Admissions page for more information: https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/english-proficiency/

    • Applicants with an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. are not required to take the TOEFL unless they have been out of the country for 2 years following graduation.

    • For updated international admissions information, please visit the University of Utah International Admissions page at  https://admissions.utah.edu/international/graduate/index.php

Match Fee Waiver 2024

AGCPD/GCEA has established a waiver for the $100 fee associated with the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match. Prospective students who demonstrate financial need AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater can apply for a Match fee waiver. Prospective students should apply for a fee waiver BEFORE registering for a Match Code Number.

Applications for the Match fee waiver are due by October 4, 2023. Applicants will be notified by October 30, 2023, as to whether they have received a waiver. There are a limited number of waivers, so not all applicants will receive a waiver. Instructions for how to register for the GC Admissions Match will be provided to those who receive a waiver.

Waivers are non-transferable to future Match cycles and cannot be transferred by the recipient to another prospective student. Prospective students who are granted fee waivers must register for the Match by January 1, 2024. Any waiver not used by January 1, 2024, will be rescinded and may be granted by AGCPD to a different prospective student.

Prospective students who are applying for a Match fee waiver will be required to write a short essay and to upload at least one of the following documents demonstrating financial need:

 

    1. A copy of a letter verifying unemployment benefits received within the past two years.

    2. A copy of a letter on official letterhead from a government agency verifying that you or your family have qualified for public assistance based on low income criteria anytime within the past 5 years

    3. A copy of your financial aid award letter from another / previous institution dated within 5 the past years

    4. A copy of your approved GRE fee waiver (for tests taken within 5 years of the application deadline)

    5. A copy of your federal Student Aid Report (SAR) that verifies you qualified for financial aid within the past 5 years based on a family contribution of:

        • Not more than $1,500 if the student is a dependent student

        • Not more than $1,900 if the student is an independent student

To apply, click here: https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/applicants/register.html

Please direct any questions about the Match Fee Waiver process or requirements to gcmatchwaivers@gcea.onmicrosoft.com

 

Apply to the UUGPGC Program

If you are interested in applying to the UUGPG Program, please complete your application by clicking on the link below:

https://futureu.admissions.utah.edu/apply/