The Time I got into Genetic Counseling Graduate School

[@Toshi122]

Match day was incredibly stressful, but actually hearing about this process makes match day feel like a blessing. It takes a lot of the pressure out of the equation and it is a quick bandaid rip of an email! I also agree that pretty much all programs are going to prepare you well and have people that you will connect with and enjoy working with. Good luck to everyone who is patiently awaiting match day next week! :)

[@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248]

Thanks for watching! It did feel so drawn out and my phone never left my side. I think and hope match day is at least a slight improvement but would love to see more programs and more spots available for all the excellent applicants out there!

[@JiillKayy]

I just matched to colorado! I'm excited to start my GC jouney

[@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248]

Sending you a huge CONGRATULATIONS today!!! It's a great program and I love living here! :) I will eventually meet you because I lecture for the program!

[@brookeburrows5097]

Could you make a video about the more preliminary stages of getting prepared to apply to genetic counseling programs? (Work experience, Volunteer work, Research participation, etc.) I'm about to begin a post bacc program at UNCG that will allow me to fill in the gaps I would need to apply for programs, but I'm having a hard time finding volunteer work/jobs that I think would be specifically helpful for my resume. I get a bit overwhelmed when considering everything I need to do within a shorter timeline. I'm up for doing all of the work, but I have a different background and am working towards taking steps towards one career from something totally different. Any advice would help, thanks! By the way, I really enjoy and appreciate your videos and the content that you cover.

[@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248]

Definitely! There is a LOT to do to prepare (well) for grad school apps. I am planning to get some content out in May and June that is just for people like you who are in the preliminary stages of preparing to apply! Do you mind sharing what career/field you are coming from? Second career applicants are a fantastic asset to programs so I would definitely consider that a strength even if it isn't a science or health related field. Thank you so much for watching and I am wishing you luck in your preparations!

[@brookeburrows5097]

@@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248 Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to that! I have a Bachelors in Fine Art--when I started undergrad I didn't really know what I wanted to do until my final few semesters and it was too late to change course, hence the current program I'm about to begin. It's encouraging to hear that coming from a different background may be beneficial. It seems to be a bit more difficult at the moment because most volunteer work/jobs with advocacy want prior experience, and most of my work history is as an art teacher. I'm still looking, and also hoping that once I get a bit more connected at the university I will find some opportunities.

[@EmilyKathrynH]

@@brookeburrows5097 Hey Brooke! I'm also a future applicant. Maybe you could look into art therapy for kids with disabilities? That could be useful advocacy experience!

[@brookeburrows5097]

@@EmilyKathrynH Thanks for your suggestion, I will look into it!

[@kitkatthekandybar]

Since I had to apply twice, those 2 weeks were so terrible! 😩 I totally wasn't going to apply a 3rd time and had totally given up when I also got in on the last day (Thursday).

[@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248]

I pretty much blacked it out- it was hard to recall many details from the week. I even went to look in my journal and I am an avid journaler and I didn't write about it until I got in. I am pretty sure I was planning to erase it from my personal history and memory if I didn't get in, since that is usually the only reason I don't write about something?!? I'm thankful for our ninth-inning admissions!!!

[@gabrielacerros8273]

hi Katie Lee!! Thank you for sharing your story. Super helpful. I am a prospective GC applicant and have some mental health crisis management experience in the field of education. Currently I work in college access and college counseling as case manager. I believe my experience would translate beautifully to being a competent and successful GC. I graduated with a BA in Latino Studies and was wondering if you have any suggestions on how to strengthen my application to GC schools for the 2022 cycle? I am enrolled in an"intro to genetic counseling" at UC San Diego Extension for Oct - Dec. Please let me know all your thoughts/suggestions for an application that will stand out. Thank you again for this content and congrats on all your success!!

[@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248]

Hi Gabriela- thank you so much for watching. Your combination of experience sounds excellent for genetic counseling. You will definitely be able to draw from your experience with crisis management and college counseling. I would make sure you can talk about these experiences in terms of advocacy. I would think about your grades, letter of recommendation, and personal statement. Are these areas all strong? Make sure you speak to your unique skills and background by providing some specific examples in your personal statement.

[@gabrielacerros8273]

@@katieleecgctalksgeneticcou6248 Thank you for your response. I will be sure to highlight transferable advocacy skills. I do believe my grades, letters of rec, and personal statement are all strong areas. Sharing specific examples is also a great suggestion, thanks again!