Application Process

• Application Form

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  
  In order to include all of the relevant information, your resume or curriculum vitae may be longer than one page. Typically 2-3 pages is sufficient. Please do not submit more than 5 pages.
  It is helpful to include the number of hours devoted to the activities listed and if any special training was required (for example, training in crisis counseling).
  
  We encourage applicants to include a section about their exposure to genetic counseling. This section should include experiences that helped them learn more about the field including, but not limited to, informational interviews, shadowing, coursework, mentoring programs, webinars, conferences, program open houses, and other means of self-exploration such as books, podcasts, and films. Please include page numbers, your name, and NMS number on every page.

•  Narrative Statement

  Please respond to all prompts below in a total of 3–5 pages.  For each prompt, restate the question and include your response directly below it. Responses should be formatted using 12 point font, 1.5 or double spacing, and 1-inch margins on all sides.

  • 1. What aspects of the Emory University Genetic Counseling Training Program most excite you, and why?

    2. What do you believe is most important for the Emory University Genetic Counseling Training Program’s admissions committee to know about you? In your response, reflect on the experiences and perspectives that have shaped your development, including any challenges, growth, or areas you continue to work on.

    3. Genetic counseling frequently involves navigating complex clinical, ethical, and psychosocial situations that do not have clear or singular solutions.

       a. Describe an issue or dilemma relevant to the field of genetic counseling that you have encountered or learned about through coursework, clinical exposure, personal experience, or independent exploration. Why does this issue matter, and how has it influenced your perspective on the field?

       b. Reflect on how your personal, academic, or professional experiences have shaped, and may also limit, your perspective on this issue.

       c. Discuss how your thinking about this issue has evolved over time or may continue to evolve.
       
       d. Briefly describe how you approached developing this response, including how you researched the topic, how you organized and refined your ideas, and how you evaluated the strength of your final response. 

• $75.00 non-refundable application fee (payment via credit card only, link in the online application)

  • This fee is waived for graduates from the Emory Health Prep Program. Please contact us for details.

• Transcripts (we prefer that these are sent electronically)

  • Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but admitted candidates will be required to send an official transcript prior to matriculation.

  • Candidates should send an updated transcript if grades from Fall courses are not available by the application deadline.

• Three recommendation letters

  • At least one letter should be from someone familiar with your academic abilities and potential to be successful with graduate level coursework. Typically, this is a former professor or academic advisor. However, applicants who have been in the workforce for many years may feel that a work supervisor is a more appropriate choice.

  • The other two letters should be from individuals you know from a work and/or volunteer setting who can tell us about your potential to be a genetic counselor. You should have interacted with your recommenders within the last five years.

  • If you are a re-applicant to Emory University, you should submit one new recommendation letter.
    
    
• GRE scores (Optional)
  
  For some applicants, submitting GRE scores may provide additional context to strengthen their application. We encourage applicants to carefully consider whether submitting GRE scores will meaningfully enhance their application. This may be particularly helpful for individuals who:
  
  
  • Feel their academic record (e.g., GPA and/or specific prerequisite coursework) does not fully reflect their academic abilities
  • Have limited quantitative or science coursework and wish to demonstrate readiness through standardized testing
  • Would like to provide an additional data point to complement other aspects of their application
    
    While we do not have a minimum or cutoff score, historic GRE performance data is available in the GC Admissions Match Statistics published by National Matching Services.
    GRE scores older than five years will not be considered.
    Applicants who choose to submit GRE scores should use the GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code 6348. A copy of the GRE score report should also be uploaded to the application portal.

• Confirmation that the applicant has registered for the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS).

The Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). The GC Admissions Match has been established to place applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Match uses a process that considers both applicants' and programs' preferences.

All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs.

How Does the Match Work?

At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website. The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April.

Please visit the NMS website to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and to view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

To begin your online application, you must first create an account (below) and provide a valid email address. Once you create your account, you will be sent an email with your Application ID and Password which will allow you to log in and continue the application process.

We recommend that you disable any pop-up blockers running on your computer when accessing the web application. Pop-up blockers may prevent you from creating a web account and/or from logging back in once your account has been created. Be sure to carefully read all the information in a pop-up box.

As you complete the application, you may notice the application "refreshing" as you enter information. This is normal as the data you enter is being verified based on the tables within our application system. By this design, we are able to process application data with greater speed and accuracy.

For your guidance, application instructions are noted at the top of each page within the application. Please read through them carefully before you begin each section. (NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some documents and other associated links.)

If you do not receive the email with your Application ID and Password or have any other questions or concerns about the online process, please contact our Program Office or call 404-727-2931.

• Create Account (this only needs to be done once)

• Log In (only available after successful account creation)

• Forgot your Username or Password (only available after successful account creation)