How to Apply
Eligibility
Applicants must have earned a U.S. baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a college, university, or technical school of acceptable standing. Students in their final year of undergraduate study may be admitted on the condition that their bachelor's degrees are awarded before they matriculate. Evidence of the earned degree is required prior to matriculation in the form of an official transcript noting degree conferral.
Application process & requirements for the MSGC Program:
The MSGC program employs a holistic admissions process in which a comprehensive evaluation approach is utilized for all applicants. Numerous, diverse criteria are considered during this process which includes application reviews (each application is reviewed by multiple members of the admissions team) and interviews. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the following: alignment with the mission and values of the MSGC program and the University; academic preparation; strong communication; resilience & adaptability; critical thinking & problem-solving; self-awareness & reflection; compassion & empathy; commitment to the genetic counseling profession; and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the genetic counseling field.
MSGC program applicants must submit their applications online directly to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry through Application Management. There is a $60 application fee.
MSGC program applicants are also required to separately register with the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS): GC Admissions Match. NMS provides each applicant with a unique Code Number for the upcoming Match. The Admissions Match was established to enhance the placement of applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Genetic Counselor Educators Association (GCEA) has established a waiver for the $100 fee associated with the NMS Match. Prospective students who demonstrate financial need AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater can apply for a match fee waiver. Prospective students should apply for a fee waiver BEFORE registering for an NMS number. Match fee waivers cannot be awarded to applicants who have already registered for the Match and paid the registration fee. Applications for the match fee waiver are due by October 4, 2024. There are a limited number of waivers, so not all applicants will receive a waiver. Instructions for how to register for the GC Admissions Match will be provided to those who receive a waiver. Further information about the waiver can be found on the NMS website. Please direct any questions about the Match Fee Waiver process or requirements to gcmatchwaivers@gcea.onmicrosoft.com.
An applicant is required to provide their unique NMS Code Number in order to submit the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry application.
Applicants will be notified in February as to whether they are invited to interview.
MSGC Program admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited institution
- Prerequisite courses* including a minimum of one semester/quarter each of:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Genetics
- Organic chemistry
- Psychology
- Statistics
*All prerequisite courses must be completed by the University of Rochester application deadline of Friday, January 3, 2025 (prior to enrollment). For example, if applying for matriculation in Fall 2025, all prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of 2024. Applicants are responsible for submitting transcripts with grades from these courses to the application by the January 3rd deadline so they can be included in the full application review. Applications missing this information will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
- Transcript: Unofficial electronic transcripts are sufficient for the application. Upon enrollment, students will be required to supply official transcripts
- For applicants who have earned a degree from a non-US institution, an independent course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES-approved evaluator is also required; a list of approved credential evaluation services can be found here. If a bachelor's degree is from a non-US institution, the credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher. This credential evaluation must be submitted as part of the application before the application deadline.
- GPA of 3.0 or above is strongly recommended
- Statement of Purpose – The Statement of Purpose should clearly describe your reasons for applying to the Genetic Counseling graduate program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, your preparation for the field of study, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the Admissions Committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. Please incorporate information as it relates to aspects of the graduate program's mission and objectives. If there are weaknesses in your application, please address them directly as this will be to your benefit. Your statement should not exceed 3 pages in length (single spaced).
- 3 letters of recommendation – There are no requirements regarding the background of your recommenders, but you are encouraged to choose individuals who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work, and strengths and experiences as they relate to the field of genetic counseling. When possible, consider requesting recommendations from individuals who know you from different contexts and settings. Examples of recommenders include faculty member(s) at the last school you attended (e.g., professor, research mentor), mentor(s), advisor(s), and supervisor(s). Please do not submit more than 3 letters of recommendation; if more than 3 letters are submitted, only the first 3 received will be reviewed.
- Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Exposure to genetic counseling profession (e.g., shadowing, interviews, internships, participation in genetic counseling career fair)
- Please include this as a separate section on your resume or CV
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Applicants are required to provide official scores that are within 2 years of the original test date. Official TOEFL (SMD school code: 2948) or IELTS Scores. The following test types are acceptable:
- Personal interview, held virtually
- Note: GRE scores are not required and will not be reviewed. Please do not add GRE scores to your application.
MSGC Program Application Timeline
Dates for Admission for Fall Semester 2025:
- August 1, 2024 - University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (URSMD) MSGC program application opens
- December 11, 2024 - Deadline for applicants to register with NMS to receive their Match Code Numbers
- January 3, 2025 - Deadline for URSMD completed application
- Mid February 2025 - Applicants notified via email as to whether they are invited to interview
- Late February and March 2025 - Interviews conducted
- April 8, 2025 - NMS rank order list deadline
- April 16, 2025 - Match day, with Match results released via email to applicants and programs
- Late April 2025 - Candidates who match to URSMD’s program will receive a commitment letter
- August 2025 - Fall semester begins
MSGC Program Tuition & Costs
The MSGC program provides a substantial tuition scholarship to all MSGC program students*, totaling a savings of over $30,000 per student for the full length of the program. For students beginning the program in Fall 2024, this brings total tuition cost for the entire 21-month program to approximately $91,000-92,000. For students beginning the program in Fall 2025, this brings total tuition cost for the entire 21-month program to approximately $92,000-93,000.
* This tuition scholarship does not apply to University of Rochester employees or students receiving full scholarship through other means.
Other cost information includes:
- A list of graduate tuition and fees is available at: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/forms/tuition-and-fees.aspx
- For students enrolled in a Master’s degree program, federal loans are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who qualify to help cover the costs of graduate study, including tuition and fees, and also allowance for living expenses and other types of expenses. Full information and application materials are available from the Financial Aid Office.
- Health insurance is required. The University Health Service (UHS) provides a full range of confidential, high quality primary health care services for full-time students. Full-time students participate in the Student Health Program - University Health Service, which covers primary care visits to UHS, time-limited therapy at the University Counseling Center (UCC), and health promotion services. UHS offers health insurance for individual full-time University of Rochester students and their spouses/domestic partners through AETNA. Full-time students are required to participate in this plan unless they complete the Health Insurance Selection Process indicating they are waiving the insurance plan because they have other insurance. Insurance for spouses/partners and families is available for a fee payable by the student. Full information from the UHS is available at: http://www.rochester.edu/uhs/primary-care/mandatory-health-fee/health-insurance-for-full-time-students/.
The MSGC program will reimburse each student up to $800 to attend the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) annual conference in the Fall of their second year.