AspiringGC
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Everything posted by AspiringGC
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If I had space in my personal statement, I included this there. But, otherwise that's a great place for it. It's better to explain yourself then to not include it at all.
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If you have solid grades in Ochem you should be fine. I got a C and D in ochem 1/2 (really not my cup of tea plus other extenuating circumstances), so my hope is that retaking biochem and getting an A (hopefully) will show that I can actually do the work as biochem typically bridges off of ochem concepts.
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This is from the AGCPD site on link: https://agcpd.org/Documents/Genetic Counselors v3.pdf "Who gets accepted to genetic counseling programs? The table below describes the average (mean) attributes of those who applied and those who were admitted to genetic counseling programs in 2010 (provided by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors). Keep in mind that these are averages. Some successful applicants have higher and some have lower GPA’s and scores than those listed below. The most common undergraduate majors among those admitted were biology, genetics and psychology. However, successful applicants come from a broad variety of majors and degrees. Diversity in educational background is welcomed by programs. In 2010, the 32 programs received 2712 applications representing 731 unique applicants. Two hundred and thirty applicants were accepted (31.5%). All Applicants Matriculants (Admitted) GPA (Mean) : 3.4 3.5 GRE Verbal (Mean): 63% 72% GRE Quantitative (Mean): 61% 65% GRE Analytical (Mean): 51% 60% Obviously these stats are from 2010, so I'd say it might be more competitive now. These might be more optimistic, but at the same time there are also 10 more programs and probably no more than 1000 unique applicants.
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I feel like that is very unfair to penalize those who have submitted early and/or have the earlier submital date. You would probably be fine to submit based on the old essay to have your application in on time. But I think your plan of action is good, fingers crossed they’re understanding of this change!
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Do you have the option to withdraw from this biochem course? If you're already plan to take it again, might as well withdraw instead of have the D/F on your record. I'm taking my biochem class at UCSD Extension. It's online and starts in January, ends in March. This is the best I could get because they cancelled the class I was planning to take that started in October and ended in December. I've been working full time right since graduating in May with a Molecular & Cellular Biology degree. I'm basically a scheduler/recruiter for a home care agency, but my title is much fancier lol. It's given me good experience interacting with clients/patients, I've gotten to learn a bit about insurance and billing, and I work with an elderly population so I get a lot of exposure to dementia/Alzheimer's which is slightly genetics related. Aside from that, I now volunteer 4 hours/week at the local cancer center with 2 cancer GCs. I prep patient files, do organizational tasks, draw some pedigrees, and shadow when there are appointments. They've started having me do mock case preps which we'll do in grad school. So I basically I outline how a session would go, what I would want to talk about etc. I also took a neurogenetics class through UCincinnati and got a B in that as a way to gain a bit more insight into the field. I applied to 8 schools last year. Did not get a single interview (largely due to lack of experience, pre-req grades, and schools wanted some better advocacy experience). I'm applying to 8 again this year, 5 of which are the same, 3 new. When I applied the first time, I had a cumm. GPA of 3.29 and my GRE stats were: 80/76 V, 51/56 Q, 60 AW. My overall GPA went up to a 3.36, last 60 units GPA is closer to a 3.8. I did not retake the GRE as most school said my scores were fine. I still think I could use better advocacy experience, but I'm juggling so much as it is, I couldn't imagine adding on more commitments. I don't think I'm an all star applicant, but I have improved tremendously since last year. (Also one director told me not being right out of undergrad is a plus and applying a second time shows dedication/commitment, so always a plus!)
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I’m a second round applicant just for an idea. I received a C the first time I took Biochem. I’m taking it again starting in January, but it will not look favorable for you to have a D or F in this class. Even my C was an issue for me. I’m not sure if biochem is a pre-req at any of the schools you’re applying to, but without at least a C, this might disqualify you for acceptance. Do you have any other GC exposure besides the internship? Any other volunteer experience? This can help “supplement” a lack of advocacy, but as stated above this is a huge component and the more you have, the better. I wasn’t up to par when I applied last year and I do suggest still applying this year because you never know what will happen. But even if you end up having to apply a second year, having an understanding of the application process and being able to ask program directors on how you can improve your application makes it a lot easier the second time around.
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My scores had a similar pattern when I retook. My AW section stayed the same, V one went down 1 point and Q went up 2 points. I have routinely sent in both scores to all schools I applied to, I don't see why you wouldn't do the same? It costs the same amount either way. My thought process was that they'd look at all my higher sections and see what my "potential" was, even if those higher sections were across two different testing dates. (I'm not sure if that's what they really do, but it's what I'd hope for). Also, I think you Q score is a really big plus, even if you don't have an educational gap to fill. Sending in your scores could only help since it's optional.
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I think I'll be making small little gifts. One of writers and I always drink a cup of tea with honey when I come to her office. So for her, I'm going to get a nice mug, a box of tea she likes and some local AZ honey with a handwritten card. I might do a local products "basket" for my other writer who just moved to SoCal: ground coffee from his favorite local coffee shop, local AZ honey (I really like our honey lol), a handwritten note, and maybe a locally made candle to remind him of home. Not planning to spend more than $20 each, hopefully closer to $10-15 though
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I'm including it. It's right in my intro for my personal statement. Especially since I'm applying to 5 of the same programs they would know, so there is no point to hide or gloss over it.
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Definitely! That's why I'm applying to UAMS. I'm not super gung-ho on living in the close. However, my dad lives in Cincinnati, so spending the second year in Louisville wouldn't be soo bad as I'd have family close.
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It means they are a program that has satellite sites for the second year. Just like how Augustana you can do the second year in San Diego or still in Sioux Falls. When it comes to matching, that means that maybe Augustana - San Diego is my first choice, but Augustana, Sioux Falls the 2nd year is my last. It gives me the flexibility to match it that way.
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If you're actually in the application is states this for the GRE " Arrange to have official notifications of your scores sent to: Genetic Counseling Program Baylor College of Medicine One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop BCM115 DeBakey Bldg., Suite M108 Houston, TX 77030 (Institution code: 6052)" and this for transcripts "Provide a transcript for each degree. Official transcripts are required and may be sent electronically to GCProgramAdmissions@bcm.edu or mailed to: SAME ADDRESS AS ABOVE. Unofficial transcripts do not replace official transcripts but must be uploaded for initial screening of the application." I would note that I sent one of my transcripts via the email route and I had a notice that it still hasn't been retrieved, which I am about to follow up on. So just be wary or super on top of it if going that route.
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http://precisionhealth.uahs.arizona.edu/GCGP/genetic-counseling-graduate-program UofA's site is up
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Wow, I'm over here still stressing and haven't submitted a single application yet. I sent in all my transcripts, need to send in a few schools my GRE scores, and really just have to finish my personal statement. I just took the final for the neurogenetics class which had been taking most of my focus, so now I need to dig in deep and get everything finished and turned in. Hoping to turn everything in by December 1st.
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Nope, not required in the slightest. I'm not sure entirely what they use it for, other than to gauge how they stand versus other schools? But feel free to leave blank, shouldn't affect you one way or the other.
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You’re right. She received everything, but Baylor and UAMS. So now those will be my two top priority schools to get submitted first.
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I just submitted my recommenders for Baylor and there's a check box once you do that says "Contact and waive rights" so I think the emails do get sent out once saved. I'm gonna try to check with the genetic counselor who is writing me a letter on Monday to see if she received an email from UAMS and Baylor and will update on what she says
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Looks like the Arizona app is completely up and running now Does anyone know if you have to submit the application for UAMS before the recommendation emails are sent out?? I'm stressing since this is the first one of my apps due, but I feel like I need to submit it by mid-November so there's enough time for my recommenders to receive the email and then turn in the letter... I'm not even close to being done with my PS which is always the last thing I finish before submitting. ughhh
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I’m taking one at UCSD extension starting January. Can’t remember if it’s one or two I Chem required before but I didn’t have to send transcripts or anything to sign up for mine. I have seen good reviews for the UCSD course and it was a 1/3 the price of the one available at my university. But I guess on that note UofArizona should have an online biochem over the summer if you apply as a non degree seeking student that would be online as well
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Great! I have Mondays off from work and want to use as little PTO as possible as well as not tell my job until I have to so Monday interviews will be very beneficial for me. ___ And I'm sure everyone who cares got emailed, but Baylor's application is up now!
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A cool thing with the new match system is you can go on the participating program page on their website and see which "tracks" they have. These are broken off into different financial aid options that someone could be accepted by. It also allows you come ranking time to be able to rank Emory for example as #1 only if you got a scholarship and also rank Emory last without a scholarship. Here's the web page: https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/directory/participating-programs.html For Baylor, it looks like they are not giving scholarships this year, likely due to being a new program. Though their tuition did seem to be reasonable, especially for being a private school. Emory on the other hand has 5 tracks, 4 of which offer scholarships ranging from $2000 to $5000. I am not sure if they have a similar set up to UTHealth where if given a scholarship you also get in-state tuition, definitely something that you should look into.
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Where are you listing the courses? If it’s just a section on the application go ahead and list all of them. If you’re thinking of including these in your personal statement, stick to a few core classes. I’ve never heard of, or used a site like that. I wouldn’t worry about asking your recommenders to upload to 10 different sites. It’s honestly pretty easy, they get sent an email and open the link to follow the instructions and done. The hard part is writing the letter, not uploading it. They wouldn’t have agreed if they weren’t going to put in the effort.
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Yep! Definitely get it done now and don't wait till acceptance. You can put in up to 10 schools, so as long as you aren't applying to more it should matter. The only reason to wait would be if you are applying to more than 10 then waiting till maybe interview invites might be better so that you don't have to go back later to update schools. FAFSA always says something about if you wait too long any grant money and things like that might be already used up too. Plus its nice to feel like you got something checked off your list!
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I think for @Brit0312 the school year is “backwards”. So they likely will be finishing December 2018.. which would be too late to get into a program here in 2018
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Honestly last year I submitted a one page resume to every school and tailored according to what it wanted (which like you mentioned was pretty easy except for schools that ask for a ton of information to be included). I felt as an undergrad still I really didn't have much I needed to include that went over a page. This year I will likely lengthen it for those that allow CVs. Likely no more than 2 pages still. I will submit a one page resume to any school that asks for just a resume though.