Application Process and Requirements for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

MGH Institute of Health Professions welcomes applications from individuals holding a bachelor’s degree seeking to enter a career in genetic counseling with a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling.

Our professional staff is here to provide information and answer questions you might have during the admission and financial aid process, and to offer ongoing information throughout the application process.

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Important Application Dates

For Program Starting: Fall 2023
Application opens on September 7, 2022

Application closes on December 15, 2022

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Application Requirements

• Unofficial or official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Three (3) recommendation letters
• CV (include NMS#)
• Personal Statement
• Inclusivity Statement
• Application Fee

Application Process

Updates to the application requirements and related policies due to COVID-19, can be found here.

Step 1:  Submit the application with the payment of application fee

Step 2: Upload Required Supplemental Documents

After submitting your application and making the payment, you will receive an email with your log-in information and a link to upload all the required supplemental documents. You can view your application status and pending supplemental documents as well.

Application Fee
All applicants are required to submit a completed online application form along with the non-refundable $100 application fee. If you received a Pell Grant during your undergraduate studies or are a McNair Scholar, you may qualify for an application fee waiver. Please contact the Genetic Counseling Program to confirm eligibility for this waiver. 

The MGH Institute is participating in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). The Admissions Match has been established to enhance the process of placing 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 takes into account both applicants’ and programs’ preferences.  All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. 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.

AGCPD Match Fee Waiver

The Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors 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.

Applications for the match fee waiver are due by October 5, 2022. Applicants will be notified on October 26, 2022 as to whether they have received a waiver. There are a limited number of waivers, so not all applicants will receive a waiver. Instructions for how to register for the NMS match will be provided to those who receive a waiver.

Waivers are non-transferable to future match cycles or other prospective students. Prospective students who are applying for a match fee waiver will be required to write a short essay and to upload at least one of the following documents demonstrating financial need:

1. A copy of a letter verifying unemployment benefits received within the past two years.
2. A copy of a letter on official letterhead from a government agency verifying that you or your family have qualified for public assistance based on low income criteria anytime within the past 5 years
3. A copy of your financial aid award letter from another / previous institution dated within 5 the past years
4. A copy of your approved GRE fee waiver (for tests taken within 5 years of the application deadline)
5. A copy of your federal Student Aid Report (SAR) that verifies you qualified for financial aid within the past 5 years based on a family contribution* of: 
   • Not more than $1,500 if the student is a dependent student
   • Not more than $1,900 if the student is an independent student

Please visit the NMS website to apply.

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will only be required prior to enrolling in the program. 

The Office of Admissions strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent directly via email to admissions@mghihp.edu. If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts to be sent to the mailing address listed below.  For transcripts to be considered official they must be in their original signed and sealed envelopes when received.    

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.
 

Recommendation Letters

All applicants are required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. Letters should address your potential for graduate education and your experiences and strengths as they relate to the field of genetic counseling.  Please consider requesting recommendations from individuals who know you from different contexts and settings, when possible. 

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please minimally include:

• Your National Matching Services (NMS) match code number

• Undergraduate and any graduate institutions, degree(s), major, minor/concentration (if applicable), and cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)  

• A list of course titles, numbers, and grades received for prerequisite courses

• A list of any pending courses (prerequisite or other)

Please include any of the following experiences. Include location, supervisor(s), and length of time, as applicable.

• Genetic counseling observations and/or internships

• Attendance (in-person or virtual) at genetic counseling career fairs, regional meetings, or national meetings, etc.

• Media viewed related to genetic counseling

• Formal meetings (including virtual) with genetic counselors

• Advocacy related to genetics, disabilities, support groups, and/or healthcare

• Peer or crisis counseling

• Clinical research, bench research, other laboratory roles

• Industry roles

• Formal teaching

• Authored publications or abstracts

• Other experiences related to the field of genetic counseling

Personal Statement

The personal statement should be no longer than 3 pages (double-spaced).

Inclusivity Statement

The Inclusivity Statement should be no longer than 2 pages (double spaced).

The MGH Institute is committed to advancing equity and anti-oppressive practice in healthcare higher education. To learn more, see Our Commitment to Equity and Anti-Oppression page and the J.E.D.I. Office Welcome page.