NHxx
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Everything posted by NHxx
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Hi! I currently work as a clinical research assistant at a cancer hospital - my job is working directly under a lung cancer oncologist, consenting patients in research that's studying the genetic basis of lung cancer, and taking their family history/pedigrees. This job was a really great fit for me but I got hired after I sent in apps, but got to talk about it during my interviews! Before that, I was just volunteering at the same hospital and at a crisis helpline. All of the fields you listed would be great options - things that allow you to gain experience working with patients, counseling, one-on-one education, research etc! I had decided to retake my genetics class (but that's because I had originally gotten a C+). Also, I think it was beneficial to take some broader classes outside of the prereqs, like bioethics, public policy, and some kind of sociology/public speaking - just because I think that you can apply these topics to the multiple roles a genetic counselor may fill!
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So in terms of information, the best (and sometimes only) resource is the websites of the programs. I was thinking about location when applying, and whether I could live in the city as well as if I knew any counselors or students that had attended the program. I applied to UCI, CSUStan, Utah, Texas, Pitt, Mt. Sinai & Case Western - and I hoped to stay in California. Another thing to look out for are the rotations the schools have - whether they start in your first or second year, if you have an elective rotation, or what kind of variable rotations are offered. For me, apart from location, I liked having the option to do a lab rotation - which CSUS and Utah had. And (although this isn't very beneficial to you rn and I'm sorry) people were right when they told me you really get a feel for a program once you visit for your interview, and you'll see if you feel like you're a fit there. Also, speaking Spanish is definitely a huge plus, but not absolutely a requirement - I'm from Southern California and I don't speak Spanish (but I do speak Armenian). & no problem! ask away!!
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Hi guys! I just got into a program this year (first-time applicant), and I'm more than happy to help/answer questions as well!! I know that lurking through the forum throughout the whole process was really helpful so I'm eager to help applicants out for the next cycle as much as I can! I interviewed at 4 schools (CSU Stanislaus, Utah, UTexas, Pitt), was accepted to CSUS & Utah and waitlisted to UT and Pitt, and will be attending CSU Stanislaus in the fall! Feel free to message me with anything
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just got in off the waitlist & accepted my offer to CSUStan !! Goodluck everyone, don't lose hope if you're waitlisted!
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i called back the program director a little bit ago, but to be fair she said 'very top' so i'm being overly optimistic & assuming first position
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#1 on CSUStan's waitlist -- my top choice so if you're out there, pleaaase decline if you don't want it!! I hope everyone gets in to their choices and congrats to you all!! Fingers remain crossed!!
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still nothing for me..starting to lose hope :/
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they let me know i'm on the waitlist, i'm waiting to hear from other places but i'll likely give up my spot! Anyone hear from CSUStan yet?
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high on the waitlist for Pitt & UTexas! Now waiting for CSUStan, my top choice ahh! So exciting reading about everyone's day so far!!
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just got in to Utah!!
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@kbash @bubusaur thanks so much for the responses! sounds like it won't be tooo intense of an interview day, so i'm looking forward to it.
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Group interviews were not as bad as they sound, so don't let interviewing with other applicants phase you/stress you out! I thought it was nice to hear other people's personal experiences and takes on some of the interview questions. and everyone was very friendly! Overall, I felt like interviewing at Utah was very welcoming. Good luck! If anyone's interviewed at CSU Stan, any advice/tips?
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i'm interested as well! it's my first interview -- if anyone else is interviewing Monday, see you there (:
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Was wondering, is everyone attending the night-before interview dinners with current students? I'm trying to schedule flights and unfortunately it looks like I won't be making it to some of the dinners because I'll fly into town too late (trying to schedule it around days off work too, so can't really fly in a day early). I know they're "optional" but I'm just hoping this doesn't look bad!
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Got mine today as well! Congrats! I also got my interview invite at Pitt - I had been considering that as a rejection up until now, so I was kind of surprised! It is the same day as my interview at Case Western though, and they both only gave me one interview date option..so I'm not sure what to do.
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ahhh trying to stay positive & hoping UCI hasn't sent out all their interview invites yet, but man it kinda burns not getting one of your top choices
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Yay, congrats on setting up such awesome opportunities!! The cycle isn't over yet - but I commend you on getting the right kind of experiences already lined up! I interned with a cancer GC who had just graduated her program in 2015 so I can definitely say that shadowing/observing/talking to younger GC's is extremely helpful bc they JUST went through the process, and since it is changing so much every couple of years their advice is really relevant- and there's definitely a push to get more internship & shadowing opportunities to students interested which is awesome. Hope it goes well!
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Also, I got an email about part of my CSU-Stan app today, so it seems like they're sending it in to review sometime this week/next week!
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Yup, got the packet in the mail & have my email/login all set up - on the "My student center" it has green dot for complete & for status it says pending! I just hope that's not only for the online portion of the app, because the bulk of the actual GC program app was mailed in... (probably over-worrying)
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sortaa worried because I never got an email confirmation from CSU-Stan, but when I log on to the my.csustan portal it says my application is complete - I hope there was no trouble with the mail-in portion of the app That bit of advice definitely does help & make me feel better too! I'd love to hear the tips as well (:
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Hi! So I've been reading The Philadelphia Chromosome by Jessica Wapner - I'm only a few chapters in & no genetic counseling yet, it's more micriobio/molecular genetics but if you're into that it's good!!
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Hi everyone! Just found this thread so I'm definitely a little late but still nice to find a community to share our experiences with! So I'm in the LA area, graduated with a BS in Microbio & Mol. Genetics in 2016 with a ~3.2 gpa. I went back and forth about whether to take more time off before applying but ultimately decided to go for it - applied to CSUS, UCI, Utah, UTHouston, UPitt, Mount Sinai & Case Western. I have experience interning with/shadowing a GC in a women's cancer research study and hospital, and am currently volunteering with a crisis helpline + sitting in on case conference meetings with genetic counselors at a nearby research hospital. I got an email interview offer for Case Western a couple days ago! Non-GC hobbies: hiking, going to the beach, going to concerts/music festivals So great to read about all of you + your interests, & see that we're all going through the same process/worries/struggles/excitement! Good luck to you all!!