Methylation

Someone had mentioned earlier that there is another forum/app that applicants are using to discuss interviews. Does anyone know what that app is?

I had a GPA of 3.28 and was rejected last year (my GPA suffered my last year of undergrad because of a family emergency). Given that I wasn't even offered an interview, I couldn't explain it to the programs. I was told by 2 programs to take 2 or 3 relevant graduate level courses and earn an A to show that I can do graduate level coursework, which I did. I applied to 6 places, was denied at 2 and got offered an interview at 4. I only interviewed at one place so far and they didn't even bring up my GPA. Also, I didn't find out until after submitting my applications that you can (and should) do a cumulative undergraduate GPA on your resume. So if you took courses at other universities, you should calculate your new GPA which may help if those scores are higher.

I think it depends on the program. I've heard the directors from 2 programs tell me they don't like accepting those straight out of under grad because they want to make sure they're mature and also that they're serious about becoming a GC. But another program I interviewed at had one candidate in under grad still, but the majority, from what I've heard and seen in interviews, are that applicants are usually at least one year out of school. Most GCs I talked to said they took a year off to do the prerequisites and get disability, advocacy and shadowing experience. They also said this will probably change since people are hearing about genetic counseling sooner than they used to. Most usually heard of it late in college or after graduating so that's why they had to take a year between. So applicants may have all the experience needed by the time they graduate.

I don't think this is true. I didn't know this board existed until someone I knew who was also applying told me. We both got the same number of offers of interviews. I think its just luck stumbling upon this.

HOW TO GET POINTS FOR FLIGHTS AND HOTELS: I suggest following www.dansdeals.com or www.miningformiles.com or www.thepointsguy.com for more information on getting points, but this is what I did to get points for my trips. I am staying a total of 8 nights in hotels and have 4 round trip flights. FLIGHTS: United Mileage Plus card with Chase: 50,000 miles with purchases of 3,000 within the first 3 months. Annual fee is usually waived the first year. I paid for my undergrad school tuition on credit card to get the points with this card. You can also ask family members if they have any big purchases coming up that they can put on your card and have them pay you back. An alternative to this is buying prepaid debit cards with your credit card and then loading the debit cards onto a bluebird debit card and then using that to pay your credit card bill (but this is always changing and complicated). notes: you are re-eligible for this offer every two years. So after 2 years, I cancelled my card, then reapplied and repeated the $3,000 purchase to get new points so I was able to do this twice and get 100,000 points in a little over 2 years. Points run from 10,000-30,000 + 5.56 booking fee per flight. There is an $80 fee for flights booked within 21 days. American Advantage Cards- Their offers vary for different cards during different times of the year, but in general, the business cards offer the best points. You don't really need a business to apply for them, any one can get one. There's the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Card which offers 60,000 points when you make purchases of $3000 in the first 3 months and the annual fee is waived the first year. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Card right now is offering 30,000 points when you make a purchase of $3000 in the first three months with the annual fee waived the first year, but their offer changes from month to month so it will go up to 50,000 points at some time if you want to wait. notes: Their flights run 12,500 -30,000 points + $11 booking fee per flight. There is an $80 fee if you book flights with points within 21 days of flight. HOTELS: Marriott Rewards Card- Get 75,000-100,000 points (depending on the offer at the time) when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. Annual fee is waived for the first year. You also get one free night at any hotel that is a category 1-5. I liked using Marriott, because their clientele is usually people traveling on business, it was easier to find hotels within walking distance of schools than other rewards, like SPG notes: Points translate usually around 20,000 -30,000 a night, unless it's a super fancy hotel. A card I didn't use, but am planning on getting is the Chase Saphire Reserve Card, the heavy annual fee pays for itself because you get $300 reimbursement for travel. The only problem is that this card is so popular it's hard to get one now as there is a shortage of them. All these cards usually offer additional points for referring friends and families (5,000-10,000 points per referral). Plus, if you're family likes you, maybe they'll try to get points with the cards you referred and share them with you for your trip @sj3 @RBsister

For those of you who are reapplying next year, would you be interested on tips on how to get points for hotels and flights in time for the next round? I was able to book all my flights and hotels with points, and looking over how much it would've cost me, I don't know what I would've done without points.

Anyone interviewing USF April 3rd?

How many interviews are you guys capping yours at?

I got it! Thank you!