GCToBe989

I personally think the schools are just trying to figure out where they rank (in students opinions) compared to other schools. Post-match if they ranked a student who ended up going somewhere else, they could look back at the interview notes and say "ok so this student ended up at one of these other schools they interviewed at (or maybe they somehow can find out exactly where they were accepted? Idk), what do these schools have that we don't that might be more attractive to our top ranked students? 

My advice would be to DEFINITELY take the GC intern position if you think you'll be okay living with your parents temporarily (I moved back home for this past year, and I understand how rough it can be). I say this because I was high on a program's waitlist last year and when I asked for feedback the director told me that the ONE thing that would have bumped me up would have been consistent exposure to genetic counseling. I had shadowed in 3 different specialties for multiple appointments and that wasn't enough to get a good grasp of the profession. The programs are getting more and more competitive each cycle so if acceptance is your end goal you need that exposure.

Hey guys, it's still January...on Michigan's website it says interviews will be extended in February. Patience grasshoppers, it'll ease the anxiety  

Yes I agree, I have been able to speak to both Erin and Angie at WSU a few times and they are both honest and helpful. I think their transparency can come off harsh but is really meant to be beneficial for us applicants.  they definitely want everyone who works hard to get spots in GC programs. You can tell how much they love the field and how much work they put in for the future GCs out there-the process is just painful.

Hi, I am a student at Wayne, and I can GUARANTEE she did not say it in a rude way. She is one of the nicest women I have ever met, and I am not saying that because she is my program director. 

IU why do u say 1/23 and not mean 1/23 -.-

anyone else anxiously waiting to hear from Indiana today? I hate knowing the actual date interviews are supposed to send out!!

@hfj23 I was largely rejected for lack of experience, I hadn’t shadowed any genetic counselors when I applied, I’d only had a mentor like relationship with a non practicing GC. Secondly, some of my pre-req grades were poor (had a few C’s here and there) and my GPA wasn’t what I’d hope. My GRE was around average and my advocacy experience isn’t quite what the “typical” experience is. My LORs and PS we’re fine but one school noted that they may not have helped make me “stand out”. I needed to dive a little deeper, find a writer who could attest more to my character and how I’d be a great GC.
Obviously now, I have shadowed GCs, I volunteer weekly with GCs, my GPA went up with my last year of grades, I’m retaking a select pre-req course, and the job I found has some really good transferrable skills and is giving me a better insight into health care.
I was extremely bummed and upset about not getting in. I did not want to take a gap year at all. But now that I’m here, it’s not that bad. It feels nice to actually be supporting myself, putting money away for grad school, and just further shows me that being a GC is where I want. Not getting in has just motivated me even more. I think also it’ll help make me more serious in course work come grad school. I might have halfassed coursework like I did throughout undergrad if I’d gotten in right away, now I know that I know the alternative I’m going to be 110% into grad course when the time comes.
From what you’ve noted, I wouldn’t be too stressed if I were you. Your grades and GRE are great. You have the advocacy and shadowing experience, three days are more than most people can get. And you have other relevant Genetics experience. As long as your PS and LORs don’t hinder you, I think you can expect some interviews

I'm sure you were fine. They weren't expecting you to just know everything about a field you aren't even in, why would you need to go to school then. I think they just wanted to see how you could think on your feet, and they chose to do it with topics instead of the typical interview questions that anyone could easily Google search and thus prepare for. So I'm sure they are expecting everyone to fumble, but it's how you pushed through or atleast tried to answer that probably matters more.

I was also at ISU this weekend, we would have seen each other! It was definitely a stressful day.
For everyone else, ISU had a lot of questions towards gauging how much you know or can think through current topics in the field. So anyone interviewing there be prepared for that. They still had typical interview questions (strengths, weaknesses, etc.), but the focus on thinking as a bit different than what I've heard from other programs. Also the writing portion was nothing to worry about and you type it up using word, so don't worry about your handwriting or spelling.

Funny story- I got engaged shortly before starting at my current job. We were semi new to the state and knew no one. The week I started my job, my then-fiance left for Africa for six weeks. So I was the new girl who lived alone with her cat, had no friends, and was supposedly engaged to a man that conveniently lived on a different country. My coworkers weren't totally sure my fiance existed.

Thanks for passing this along! Also, congrats on your ISU interview! Mine is on 4/10 so you'll have to let me know how it goes!

There are probably areas of Detroit where you will be safe, but it's reputation as a shithole is warranted. I have never heard a positive review of a Detroit visit, either. I've never personally been there (because I value my life), but my brother went this year. He was optimistic, that at least downtown Detroit had to be kind of cool. He was unimpressed.

For anyone interested, Thomas Jefferson University is holding a webinar on Feb 21 at 4:30PM EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jefferson-human-genetics-genetic-counseling-info-session-tickets-347130276

I second the self-care thing, do something for yourself, to take care of your needs! It can feel really personal when schools reject you, but it might just have been the wrong timing for you! (the Augustana director wrote me last year after rejection that some of the best GCs he knows have had to go thru 2 or 3 application cycles...)
Sending comforting hugs!
 
 

Waiting to hear back from GC programs: 

#GCapplicantprobs?

I also just received mine. It does sting but we have awesome opportunities still coming our way! Good luck hearing back from the rest of your schools!