Hi all,
I'm applying to 6-7 programs for fall 2018 (exact programs are still slightly up in the air, currently have a list of 10).
A little about me:
I just graduated with a BS in Biological sciences and have Spanish and psychology minors with a overall GPA of 3.89
Shadowing: I've shadowed 3 different genetic counselors (one cancer, one prenatal, and one pediatrics) as well as reached out and talked to a number of current students or graduates from different programs to learn about their perspective on the program and what their current job entails.
Extracurriculars: During undergrad I was in a sorority and was an intern for a number of different offices and was a recruitment guide for formal recruitment (counseling experience). I also was a member of a number of different honors societies including Order of Omega and National Society of Leadership and Success. I also am a coach for a high school cheer team. This summer I'm planning on taking a mental health first aid class that should help with my counseling experiences!
Volunteer: I also have volunteered for a crisis line for the past 3 years (overall average of 6 hours a month I'm guessing) and have also participated in a number of different volunteer opportunities for various causes including American Cancer Society and St. Jude.
Research: I worked as an undergrad research assistant for a year and a half in a genetics fly lab (mostly doing transfers), and then had my own research project with spider parentage analysis and currently am taking a gap year and working full time as a research assistant in the same lab.
GRE: I am taking it this summer and am a little nervous about what scores I might need for it since for unofficial diagnostic test (Kaplan) I got around a 150 quant and 150 verbal and 5 on both essays.
I know a number of schools have recruitment days that I would love to attend, but unfortunately none are that close to my location so I'm not sure if its in the cards. Will going/not going matter that much? Obviously I want to get into a school my first time and want to do as much as I can, but at the same time have to be realistic about what I can do.
Any advice on things to try to add to my resume or tips for personal statements and interviews would be extremely helpful! Looking at all of the bios on the program websites I feel as though everyone is extremely accomplished and I cant help but feel intimidated so any and all advice is welcome. Thanks!